Your rubbish bin could be an advertisement for thieves
- Written by Tess Sanders Lazarus
According to Scott Cairns, security expert and CEO of Secure Your World, Australia’s leading online provider of security products for the home and business, the biggest threat to the security of our homes is usually the most overlooked item in the household – the humble garbage bin.
“Most people don’t give the garbage bin a second thought, but it is probably one of the most important elements of a home security plan,” Scott said today.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, a break-in is defined as an act of unauthorised forced entry into a home or other place where a person permanently resides. Each year, approximately 2.5 percent of Australian households experience at least one break-in per year. This equates to 230,000 plus households. More than 20 per cent of Aussie homes have been burgled at some point. In 2015, Australia had the fifth highest rate of burglaries in the world. The Northern Territory has the highest rate of five percent, closely followed by Western Australia with 4.3 percent. South Australia has the lowest rate at 1.9 percent.
“Given the increased focus on recycling, many households now have several large garbage bins,” Scott added.
“These are often stored near the front of the home. Unfortunately, these are also considered beacons of opportunity for thieves.”
Scott has put together some key tips to help households minimise the threat of break-ins by better managing the use of garbage bins around the home.
. Keep your garbage bins tucked away near the side of the house so they can’t be seen. This reduces the opportunity for thieves to go through your rubbish bins looking for items such as credit card statements or other paperwork that identifies who you are
. Lock your garbage bins up in a secure area. Ideally, if you have an area where you can keep the garbage bins locked away this is ideal. If you don’t put locks on them
. Put a lock on your garbage bins. Igloohome smart padlocks are ideal for garbage bins. They are Bluetooth enabled and can be opened with a code. Using an app you can send PIN codes to your friends, family or others to enable use on a one time or as needed basis. This is ideal if they are putting the garbage bins out while you are away
. If you put a number on your bin to help identify it, never include your name
. Put your rubbish bins out for collection on the day they are collected and put them back into the yard as soon as they are emptied. Leaving your bins out tells thieves that you are not home. Get a neighbour to put them away for you if necessary
. Never leave packaging for new purchases near or hanging out of your garbage bin. This tells thieves you have new items worth stealing in your home
. Install motion sensor security cameras all around your home including near your garbage bins. Get cameras that are connected to an app so you can view your home at any time on your phone. Security cameras are the best deterrent. Not only do they reduce the incidence of break-ins, they also help to reduce the cost of your home insurance bills. Many insurers will discount premiums if security cameras are installed.
“By being more vigilant with your garbage bins, you can help minimise the threat of a break-in. Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity. Statistics also show that of all break-ins, nearly 30 percent are not successful because the thieves are interrupted or unsuccessful in their attempt.”
Secure Your World is Australia’s first online marketplace dedicated to all things security. They provide a broad range of products and services across Australia to assist people to feel safe and secure at home, at work, outside and in vehicles.