BUILDING a new home is expensive, and by the time necessities like four walls and a roof are paid for, money can start to get tight.
So it's little wonder that security measures can be cut from the budget.
Christian Dorau of ADT Security said there were a number of factors that affected the likelihood of a property being targeted by burglars.
He said ADT encouraged builders and homeowners to consider security when planning their renovation or new build and take preventative steps to protect themselves from break-ins and home invasions.
"With one in four Australians a victim of a break-in [according to a survey of 1500 people commissioned by the company last year], home burglary is a very real threat," Mr Dorau said.
"Considering security in the early design and planning stages of building a home can help to identify and target security weak spots and reduce the risk of theft down the track.
"This includes key decisions about a home's visibility from the street, landscaping, fencing, lighting, windows, doors and locks.
"For those building a new home, knowing a suburb's crime rate and understanding the nature of those crimes can help to pinpoint security concerns and steer the design to improve the home's overall security.
Details: adtsecurity.com.au.
ADT Security gives the following tips for secure home design:
■ Ensure second storey windows and balconies cannot be accessed by climbing gutters, drain pipes or trees.
■ Ensure the front of the house and main access points are visible from the street and well-lit.
■ Fit every door with deadbolt locks that are positioned so doors cannot be opened from the inside by breaking a nearby window.
■ Design rooms and position power outlets so televisions and electronic devices are not visible from outside.
■ Group rooms with high value assets, such as the living room and kitchen, so zoned alarm systems can be installed.
■ Consider a pre-wired security system, as it is more cost-effective than to retro-fitting. They are also more difficult to disable.
■ Security systems should be easy and convenient to access. Alarm panels should be near the door and panic buttons next to the bed.
■ Mount cameras in visible places to deter intruders. Ensure they are in protected enclosures to make them difficult to tamper with.
