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In response to the growing need for home security, RACV and Neighbourhood Watch have joined forces to launch the "How Safe Is My Place" initiative. This collaborative effort aims to help Victorians feel safer in their homes and strengthen the sense of safety and community in the state [2].
The initiative offers a variety of resources for home safety education, including the informative "How Safe is My Place" video. This video provides practical tips on improving home security, such as simple ways to enhance home safety, like installing good locks, and more complex measures, such as installing CCTV or smart video doorbells [3].
RACV suggests several effective home security measures that can be adapted for Victorian homes. These measures include upgrading locks, installing CCTV or smart video doorbells, and adding sensor lighting. These security systems act as strong deterrents against burglars by enabling remote monitoring and enhanced visibility around entry points [1][3].
Key recommendations from RACV relevant to home security include replacing or upgrading locks to high-quality security locks, installing CCTV cameras or smart video doorbells with features like motion detection and two-way talk, and adding sensor lights around potential entry points. It is also advised to always ensure doors and windows are kept locked, even when at home, including less obvious access points like balconies [1][3].
For tenants, especially in Victoria, RACV emphasizes the need to seek landlord permission before installing devices like smart doorbells [1][3]. While much of RACV’s advice comes primarily from apartment security contexts, the principles of upgrading locks, installing CCTV, and sensor lighting are universally applicable and effective for Victorian homes due to their typically multiple access points and often older door/window fittings.
In addition to these practical security tips, RACV also advises against "tailgating," or letting strangers follow you into secured premises, and emphasizes the importance of having adequate home and contents insurance as part of an overall security strategy [1][3].
The "How Safe is My Place" initiative also offers a quiz for those who wish to test their knowledge on home safety. The quiz is accessible after watching the "How Safe is My Place" video [4].
Darren Turner, RACV Home general manager, stated that having a good relationship with neighbors is important for when help is needed. He highlighted that the initiative was launched to capitalize on the acts of kindness observed during the COVID-19 crisis [5]. The initiative is designed to build on the growing community spirit in Victoria.
References:
- RACV Home Security Tips: https://www.racv.com.au/home/home-and-content-insurance/home-security
- How Safe Is My Place Initiative Launch: https://www.racv.com.au/news/how-safe-is-my-place-initiative-launched
- RACV Home Security Measures for Victorian Homes: https://www.racv.com.au/news/racv-home-security-tips-for-victorian-homes
- How Safe is My Place Quiz: https://www.racv.com.au/how-safe-is-my-place-quiz
- Darren Turner on the Importance of Good Neighbourly Relationships: https://www.racv.com.au/news/darren-turner-on-the-importance-of-good-neighbourly-relationships-during-covid-19
The "How Safe is My Place" initiative, a collaboration between RACV and Neighbourhood Watch, extends its resources to home safety education, encompassing sections like home-and-garden and home-improvement, to provide practical tips for enhancing home security, such as upgrading locks and installing CCTV or smart video doorbells.
Beyond the practical tips, the initiative's resources also include a quiz, designed to test one's knowledge on home safety, accessible after watching the informative "How Safe is My Place" video.
