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Neighbours - everyone loves good…

Friday, 20 June 2008

SOME revealing survey results surrounding the relationships Irish people have with their neighbours have just been published.
The independent survey took place during the month of May to coincide with European Neighbours Day (May 27) and was conducted by RED C Market Research on behalf of Irish security company Top Security.
The survey showed that three in four Irish adults prefer to leave their house keys and alarm codes with a family member or friend rather than neighbours, despite knowing the people living next door.
One in three Irish adults leave their house keys with neighbours and one in five have given them their alarm code.
Those aged 45-54 are more likely to trust their neighbours with keys and alarm codes and Dublin residents are among those to be most trustworthy of their neighbours and Munster residents the least.
Emmet O’Rafferty, chairman of Top Security, said the fact that more than a third of Irish people do not trust their neighbour with their house keys was an unfortunate symptom of modern Irish life.
“In the 1970s and early 1980s Ireland experienced a big increase in crime which significantly changed Irish people’s attitudes to both home and personal security,” said Mr O’Rafferty. “People became less carefree and more guarded.
“Unfortunately, the strong sense of community has all but disappeared from Irish life and this is confirmed by the survey results.”
Mr O’Rafferty added that while vigilance was no substitute for strong home security, including a monitored alarm, he would encourage everyone to go out and get to know those living around them.
“Because when it comes to home security your neighbours can be a great ally,” he said.
The 1,000 survey respondents were also asked to outline the precautions they take when leaving their homes for up to one week.
An amazing 13 per cent are far too trustworthy, stating that they take no precautions at all, bar closing the door behind them.
Top Security’s Top Tips for securing your home include:
l Make your home as difficult to break into as possible. Check that all doors have strong locks and that any sliding doors and gates are secured.
l If you have an alarm, use it. It’s easy to forget to activate your alarm especially when you are popping next door or down to the shops. Even when you are in the house at night, it is advisable to activate your alarm.
l Never hide the spare key under flowerpots or on top of door ledges - even a novice burglar will check out these ‘hiding spots’.
l If you are going away for a long period ask your neighbour to keep a watch on your home. If you are leaving a key for use in an emergency, give it to a trusted neighbour or a relative.
l Don’t post your family name on your mailbox or on your house. A criminal can call directory enquiries to get your telephone number and call your home while outside your house to confirm that you are not there.
l If heading out just for a short while, as well as turning on your alarm, you can create the illusion that someone is at home by leaving a radio or TV on. Light timers are relatively cheap and are a great deterrent as well.
l Don’t leave descriptive telephone answering machine messages like, “You’ve reached the Murphy’s…we’re away on holidays…please leave a message.” Criminals love to hear that they have plenty of time to break in and steal from your home.
l Consider strongly a monitored alarm-system as this is one of the most cost-effective and easiest to manage deterrents. The immediate response that monitoring provides dramatically minimises the potential risk of loss and damage to your property.
l If your alarm is monitored and you are going on holidays, be sure to inform your alarm monitoring company of the new temporary key holder.
Other findings from the survey include:
l Those aged 25-34 and originally from outside Ireland are most likely not to trust their neighbours.
l Those aged over 45 are more likely to tell neighbours they are going away and also to leave a key with them.
l Just nine per cent of Irish adults tell their neighbours they are going away for one day but this rises to just under one in three when they are going away for up to one week.
l Another 15 per cent said they notify their alarm monitoring company that they are going away.
European Neighbours day is celebrated annually across Europe on the last Tuesday during the month of May and encourages people to make a special effort to connect with their local community and celebrate their relationships with their neighbours.

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