I think we need to be a bit more vigilant and look around when we are out and about. Be nosy and notice things out of the ordinary. I am always looking out of my windows when I am moving about the house because I am a nosy beggar. We sometimes get police patrol cars visiting, but not very often. Most of the time nothing happens for ages, then we get two or three in quick succession.
There are some very expensive houses here, so I am really hoping that they don't want to break into an ex council house owned by a pensioner that has no valuables whatsoever. There are some houses still owned by a social housing association, so I expect the occupants further up the street to be in a similar position as myself. I don't think anyone has won the lottery and has all the dosh stashed under their bed.
I am taking extra precautions, just in case, like keeping the back door locked even when I am in the house. Not leaving my keys in full view, hide them, and take them to bed with me. Also taking my purse and mobile phone to bed. I'm keeping all windows closed from now on, and putting a light on if I go out at night. And always be nosy and look out of the windows. Best to be careful.
Two very similar meals. Yesterday was a veggie burger, onion, left over steamed veg, and scrambled eggs.
A new craft programme started last night on More4, it's called I Made This. William is one of the presenters. It was quite good, I watched it this morning on catchup. I don't know if it is a one off, or there are more to come. Worth a watch.
Thanks for all your comments yesterday. The kids are all ok. Heidi is back on one tablet a day now, she was getting a bit lethargic on half a tablet, so the vet said best to get her back on full dose. It seems to be working, she has a bit more energy now. I have to ring the vet tomorrow with an update. Rocky is soldiering on, he is eating well. Old boy Bugsy cat is amazing, he loves lying outside, and yells at me when he wants food. And Mayze is still scatty, dashing around everywhere.
Thanks for popping in, page views are on the up, more people reading, and welcome to the new followers. we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.
I don't think you phrased that very well, it sounds as if you hope they'll target the very expensive houses while they're leaving yours alone.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, I didn't. I thought that when I wrote it, but it was late, and I wasn't going to write a post at all, then I thought, I'll just do a quick one. And the words didn't come out right, and I couldn't be bothered to change it. Of course, I would hope that the expensive houses wouldn't get burgled either.
DeleteGo to go, watching Shed of the Year again, haven't got time to natter here.
Burglars, I would think, would often leave more-expensive homes alone because the owners might have more security measures in place, i.e. they can afford doors and windows with special locks, security systems, CCTV cameras, and so forth. Opportunist thieves might often target lower-end-of-the-market homes simply because they are that - opportunist. So it pays to be vigilant even if you think you have nothing worth steeling. We have always made a habit of locking the doors even if we are in and, like you, I frequently look out of the windows, taking mental note of any strangers, or door-to-door sales people (who are possibly only doing their job, but one never knows) come around our Close.
DeleteMargaret P
Its horrible when you dont feel safe in our old house we wre burgled while we were away on holiday and when we were asleep in bed one night , The top of the bay window wich was just outside our bedroom window they stolen the lead off it , That really scared me but i an happier where w live now and feel safer , But do as much as you can to make it difficult for anyone to get in , Take care xxx
ReplyDeleteHorrid to think that people are watching for an opportunity to break in. I always have my doors locked if I am in on my own, and even lock the back door if I take the dog down the garden in the dark. Because of very real terror in my twenties, I have always locked my doors. We leave a light on if we are out, and have timer switches if we are away. Our neighbour is most vigilant, and generally people in our village watch out for one another.
DeleteYesterday I saw two groups of strangers walking past through the house, and wondered who they were, and what they were doing. Our house gate (fairly high because of the dog), is always locked (again in case the drive gate is left open, and someone wanders into our back way). We also have window locks on our large window and front door.
I would really like a portculis and drawbridge.
Stay safe, Ilona. All of what you are doing is very wise. Stay alert, as I know you do. Watch for people you know to be strangers as well as strange vehicles, if seen driving around the area often. Let your friends and neighbors know also, so they can be a bit more proactive too. Keep your camera with you too. If you see strange vehicle, take picture especially of license plate. This could be helpful if someone else is robbed in your area. Also, if person sees you just taking random pictures, if thief, unlikely to stick around on that chance he/she could be identified in a picture. Ever vigilant! Ranee (MN) USA
ReplyDeleteGood idea about using the camera.
DeleteI am so sorry for your break ends in your neighborhood. I put up some solar powered lights on the corners of the back of my house. If anyone comes in the lights come on and it lights up the widows from the outside and I KNOW SOMEONE MAYBE OUT THERE! It does go off for animals to but I like them. I put the spring curtain rods standing straight up in the corners of the Windows so if anyone tries to push it up they make a good noise and I will know it. I also put things on the window top ledge to with the spring rod that will fall and make more noise. These are cheap things todo but help. I always lock my doors and windows, having a barking dog is another good one. My two border collies bark if anyone is near my house. I would not keep all your money in one place like your purse hiding it in a tea pot or anywhere else you think they might not look. Hope this helps we need to be smart but not let the beggars take our peaceful home away! Blessings.
ReplyDeleteLuckily my neighbour has a security light near his front door. As well as it coming on when someone approaches, it also comes on when I come home as our driveways are next to each other.
DeleteOh! I hate that! Dang robbers. Our neighborhood has had a couple robberies over the last 6-mts. The house at the end of the street was the latest. The lady ran to the market and in the time she was gone they broke through her sliding glass door and used her pillowcases to haul off everything they could get. Stay safe Miss I!
ReplyDeletetake care when gardening as my late mother-in-law had her handbag taken from her front room when she left the front door open to put some plants in at the side of the house. She was a bit deaf and didnt hear them creep in and take the bag All the best x
ReplyDeleteGravel on a drive is a good deterrent as you can hear anyone approaching the house. Putting plants on a window sill is another deterrent that I've heard of. We don't have a dog now, but when we did I would never tell them off if they barked, unless it was excessive, just for it to be known that we had a dog.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbours are all very friendly and we look out for each other especially if someone is away, but even so I lock my back door when it starts to get dark if my husband is out. I also have an American baseball bat in the hall.
Joan (Wales)
So sad to lose your sense of security. I would second the notion of things on the window sill. It may discourage someone from coming in a window. And timers on your lamps are good too. Daytime robbers are hard to top for boldness.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to put things on the window sills, but the cats would knock them off. Mayze and Heidi both like looking out of the window.
DeleteIt's terrible that burglaries can happen anywhere, even in smaller town where you think people would be safe, and watching out for each other. I guess there can't be eyes everywhere. Your meals look good- simple as ever, but nutritious and varied, it's inspiring, we can all try to eat better (well maybe not you :-)).
ReplyDeleteOnly last week two of my friends were broken into at 4am, for the second time now only a short while before they had their mountain bikes stolen, they were both asleep upstairs but luckily one of them woke as heard something downstairs two men had already taken 2 walletts, laptop, ipad, and kindle, my friend grabbed her hockey stick and chased after them, they only live around the corner from us and it made me feel very uneasy, usually my back door is open most of the day so the cats can potter in and out but ive been very careful to say the least it does make you think, ive been a bit jumpy and waking allot in the night when i hear a bump downstairs, luckily its the cats playing chase.. stay safe and aware xx
ReplyDeleteBeing the victim of a burglary must be horrendous. Our garage was once broken into and that was bad enough - they cleared out the freezer - and no we didn't have freezer insurance cover! Keep your pets safe too - horrible people are around. We live in an area in the North of the UK where theft and petty theft are common. My mother in law on the other hand lives in a quaint Devon village and hardly ever locks her door when she goes out and even leaves her little dog to wander in and out from the enclosed garden when MIL has to go out. We've said she's too trusting but she's fine with it.
ReplyDeletelove your blog!just started reading it this week,keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteWelcome brynsmum, it's good to have you on board.
DeleteYou can buy window alarms from B&Q. Only small and stick on the window. Loud alarm if anyone bangs the window. Also come with a window sticker that says Alarm. Saw them on a police crimestopper video a policeman recommended them.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about those, sounds like a good idea. Thanks.
DeleteBe observant as Ilona says even nosy lol. It's good advice as living in the depths of a Mid Norfolk village you can never be too careful. There's been several local news reports of late about distraction and opportunists type thefts. We always lock the back door when sitting out or mowing the lawn as you would never hear anyone coming in our gate. Also best lock yourself in too (take the key out as well) these guys are looking for the easy access unlocked door. It's a quick entry and exit and gone. It's not nice being the victim ask anyone that has ...it changes your life forever. Rae x
ReplyDeleteAnother one to watch out for is someone knocking at the front door and keeping you talking, whilst their accomplices enter via the back door and help themselves to whatever they fancy. This has happened twice to elderly people I know. This is one of the reasons why I always keep the back door locked.
ReplyDeleteThere was a spate of burglaries in the village two miles down the road from us, where the boys go to school. They have arrested a man and before that somebody was leaving presents of marrows on peoples' doorsteps to cheer people up. Turns out it was the owner of our local plant nursery, bit cynical of me but a bit of good publicity when the local rag got the end of the tale!
ReplyDeleteIf I'm out in my back garden my front door is always locked now and vice versa. Sad that it's necessary isn't it. I also always take my handbag, keys etc upstairs when I go to bed rather than leaving anything downstairs. The only other thing I would add, is if anyone ever asks me if I am going on holiday I always say something like "no, no plans", or "I went last month", and of course I wouldn't mention it on my blog (or FB) until after the event. Anna
ReplyDeleteI always keep my doors and windows locked unless I am in that very room where I can see everything. I also have two dogs, one being a pit bull mix who has a very loud deep bark (even though she is a luv-bug.) I worry about you Ilona when you take walks by yourself. Always have a whistle or something to defend yourself with and let people know who you are. I would not go out at night.
ReplyDeleteLets hope they catch the culprit soon, we live in a city and although it is quiet in our little spot the front door is always kept locked. We keep a sign on the door to tell the sales people to clear off ( in the nicest possible way).
ReplyDeletei agree with another commentor, that often burglars will target less expensive houses, because it might be easier, and a single woman at that...
ReplyDeletesadly, there has been lots of burglars where I live. Brazen and not afraid..One thinks they must be quite athletic (a clue there?) as they are in and out quickly. I am thinking more than one, etc..Thankfully, not us.
I will list, in case it is of interest, somethings we all have been warned to watch out for, and some things we do..
-always lock back and front door. Even if you only step out to the back yard for a moment..There have been many breakins where they walked in through the front door, and cleaned out/trashed the house while owner was out back, or went out back and assaulted owner.
-always hide your purse, not in a usual place. (This one from my Mother in law)...There had been break ins in her neighbourhood, and they would get in (often left unlocked) front door, grab the purse many women leave close to door/kitchen and go. I always hide mine now.
-get yourself some well worn size sixteen mens shoes (thrift shop, friend's discard, etc), and leave them out on a front mat...maybe a few pair. (who wants to break in to a house where someone THAT big lives?)
-always reward your critters if they alert when someone comes to the door
-get some motion activated (solar) outdoor lights. We have some great ones, which have worked very well through all kinds of weather. Ours can be set to only activate at night (some just come on at night). Ours have to be activated by someone walking within certain distance of them. They will go on fair distance form our door/gate.
-motion activated sprinkler system....seen these to chase birds/critters off, but work well to dissuade two footed critters, and would also alert you if someone in yard
-if someone come to door to sell something/ask for donations, stick with "no thank you". Try to not open door to these folks. We are lucky, we have a tiny window in door we can talk through..Some folks talk through a window
-if someone comes to door and is desperate to use bathroom...NO. If you feel rude, say the plumbing is backed up. We had this happen, said no. Neighbor let them in. Neighbor got robbed few days later. (coincidence? maybe not)
Thank you for all those very useful tips. It's very kind of you to spend the time writing them up. I shall be following your advice.
Deleteyou're welcome. we have done many of these.
DeleteI had forgotten about the size sixteen well worn men's shoes, until I wrote this. Next time our thrift store has a sale on, I am intent on finding some. I am thinking I will put a pair out front and out back. burglar could come from either direction.
I wonder if other's have more useful tips, maybe you would consider making a list/putting a link? It is easy for me to forget to be careful, and new ideas help spur my thoughts on ..so to speak.
as I was typing last comment, I started wondering if there is such a thing as
Deletemotion activated wireless chime/doorbell
solar motion activated wireless chime/ doorbell
I googled it and there seems to be lots of choice.
Next time I am out and about, I am looking in stores for same. That might be a nice / good thing too.
Ilona, as a senior, you can get a free police security check on your house. They will also provide things like simple door alarms. I guess it depends which police authority you come under, but for the price of a phone call it's worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteGood post lots of ideas. When I had a break in a few years ago, I had an alarm system fitted on the advice of the police, they said houses with the alarm box are a good deterrent the burglar is never sure if it works or not. I never answer my door if I am not expecting anyone but open the front window a little to see who is there, I have secondary double glazing which is another very good deterrent.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the shed programme is on tomorrow night, soon be your turned Ilona to feature on the TV.
Hazel c uk
Ilona, greetings from northern Idaho USA, where we have a low crime rate. I live on a dead-end street with only one way in and out. No cross streets. When I am outside my home, and cars pass, I always wave. If they go back out right away, I wave again. My neighbors think I am friendly. I'm hoping that anyone with ulterior motives to be on our street will think that I noticed them and have a description of the car. (To be honest, I usually don't, but bluffing is better than nothing).
ReplyDeleteI also have a terrier, and they can be yappy if someone comes around!
take your car keys with you in the house...if any noise frightens you hit the alarm button...
ReplyDeleteI have a large, completely soppy, dog. But she will bark a very deep, fierce sounding bark to order. If we have any suspicious looking people around, I always ask her to bark. She thinks this is great fun and always barks enthusiastically. Quite a few "door to door " people have avoided coming to our door as a result.
ReplyDeleteHere in crime free Los Angeles,we put decals from a local alarm company in the windows,installed Photocell exterior lights, and put up a simulated camera with a red light that is also Photocell activated. The neighbors chipped in and we installed a sturdy metal pole with realistic but inoperative camera housings that are pointed up and down the street. There's also a sign on the pole that reads "Video monitoring in progress". Haven't even had a litterbug in 5 years.
ReplyDelete