With the festive season of Christmas, New Year, and Sankranti on the horizon, the Central Zone Police in Hyderabad have issued a crucial public safety advisory. The police force is urging residents who plan to travel during the holidays to proactively inform their local police station about their departure and expected return dates.
Why Informing Police is Crucial
The primary reason behind this request is to enhance home security and prevent property crimes. Police officials explained that this information will allow patrol teams to keep a special watch on these residences during their routine surveillance rounds. This added layer of vigilance aims to deter potential burglars who often target empty homes during the holiday exodus.
Essential Pre-Travel Safety Checklist
The advisory provides a comprehensive list of measures residents should take before leaving town. First and foremost, citizens are advised to inform trusted neighbours, relatives, or friends about their absence and request them to periodically check the property. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the police immediately. For those living in apartments, notifying the building association or security staff is mandatory.
To safeguard valuables, the police strongly recommend not leaving large amounts of cash, jewellery, or important documents unattended at home. A common mistake is hiding spare keys in predictable spots like flower pots, shoe racks, or meter boxes, which should be strictly avoided.
Digital and Physical Security Measures
In today's connected world, the police have also highlighted digital precautions. Residents are urged to avoid sharing real-time travel updates or detailed plans on social media until they have safely returned. Oversharing online can alert criminals to an empty house.
Physical security measures are equally vital. Before leaving, ensure all doors, windows, grills, ventilators, and balconies are securely locked. It is also advised to limit access for domestic help, drivers, or other service staff during the absence. If they must have access, consider changing locks or access codes as a precaution after returning.
For enhanced protection, the police encourage installing or activating security systems like CCTV cameras, alarms, motion-sensor lights, and video doorbells. Proper lighting around entry points and using anti-theft devices for vehicles are also recommended. A simple yet effective tip is to use timers for lights or electronic devices to create the illusion that someone is home.
Avoiding Signs of an Empty House
One of the key pieces of advice is to prevent any visible signs that a house is unoccupied. Residents should make arrangements to stop the accumulation of newspapers, milk packets, courier deliveries, or garbage outside their homes. These are clear indicators to thieves that no one is present.
By following these guidelines from the Hyderabad Central Zone Police, residents can significantly reduce the risk of theft and enjoy their festive holidays with greater peace of mind, knowing their homes are better protected.
