Many Australians are concerned over the country's burglary rates these days. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, in excess of 335,000 break-ins were recorded in the reporting year of 2009 to 2010. Indeed, well over a third of the residents in the country believe that their home may be susceptible to burglary even if this is not necessarily borne out by local statistics. Nevertheless, burglaries tend to come in spates, so if you have suffered a break-in or your neighbours have, then it is time to consider upgrading your home security measures.

Be Neighbourly in the Local Community

The police authorities in several states advise that getting to know your neighbours better is one of the best ways of avoiding all sorts of crime in your area, including burglaries. Queensland Police, for example, says that it is a good idea to exchange contact details for times when you might be on holiday and to keep a watch over each other's homes during the day when some residents might be out at work. By simply observing what is going on in your street, you can potentially inform the police of suspicious activities, and the risk of falling victim to a break-in is significantly reduced.

Have a Safe Fitted

It may seem obvious, but locking away your valuable items and documents makes it harder for would-be burglars to make off with your prized possessions. Having said that, few people have a safe fitted properly and instead people simply buy one which can be locked either with a combination or with a key. A small safe may be all too easy for a burglar, or team of felons, to remove entirely. Therefore, when investing in a safe, it is best to have one supplied and installed by a fully trained locksmith who will be able to ensure that your safe remains securely within the home at all times.

Set Up Home Security Cameras

These days, home security cameras can do a better job of notifying you of potential trouble than old CCTV systems ever could. There are many different and often discreet camera systems available these days which can provide both visual and audio output. A number of these systems are now supplied with apps which mean that the cameras will call your phone over your home Wi-Fi if they detect something untoward, even if you are out. As a result, you can warn a neighbour or call the police.