April/May - The Greets Green Partnership Legacy Website

help and adviceSECURE YOURPROPERTYBurglary is rare in the area but you should never becomplacent. Here are a few tips to help you beat theburglar…1 Make sure all your doors andwindows have adequate locks –and use them!2 Fit a chain on your door, aspyhole and house alarm.3 Never leave a key hiddenoutside your home.4 Make sure you put ladders, binsand tools away – they could beused by intruders.5 Always lock garages and sheds.6 Don’t leave packaging for newappliances outside your home.7 Leave a light on when you goout in the evening.8 Get a timer switch for your lightsif you’re going away.9 Ask a friend or neighbour tokeep an eye on your homewhen you go away.NEW FACE FOR PROJECTDebbie Roberts is ready for her next challenge – taking over as thenew face of the Greets GreenCommunity Alcohol projectfollowing the departure of WendyHooker.DID YOUKNOW?The Greets Green Burglary Reduction Initiativeproject finished in March. In total, 1,636properties have had additional securitymeasures installed free of charge, thanks to theproject, which was delivered by Midland Heart.It has made a significant contribution towardsreducing burglaries in the Greets Green area.KEEP YOURMOBILE SAFEIt’s often young people who are the victims ofmobile phone theft, so make sure yourchildren take some simple steps to stop thembecoming a target…●●●●●●Keep your mobile in a hidden place and try notto use it while walking along the street. If youanswer a call, do it inside.Put your mobile on ‘silent’ when you’re out andabout so potential thieves are not aware you arecarrying one.If a stranger asks you the time, look at yourwatch not your mobile.Mark your mobile with your postcode usinga security pen.Each phone has a unique IMEI number.Keep this number safe so your mobilecan be traced if it’s stolen.If your mobile is stolen,contact your phone companyimmediately so they canblock any calls.Formerly one of the project’s communitychampions, Debbie has already helpedlots of people to become more awareabout alcohol and safer drinking. “Mynew role includes meeting as manypeople as possible, delivering talks andworkshops on alcohol and helping thosewith drinking problems to access theright services,” says Debbie.“Alcohol misuse can have a big impacton our community and can affect allages, backgrounds and ethnic groups.By tackling the problem we aim to help make Greets Green a healthier and saferplace to live. I look forward to meeting many residents over the coming months.”Debbie can be contacted at Aquarius on 0121 525 9292.Free Fire AdviceWest Midlands Fire Service also offers afree home fire safety check. Make anappointment for firefighters to come and lookat areas of accident and fire risk in your home.They will also give you advice on installingand maintaining smoke alarms, and how toavoid fires.Call 0800 389 5525to find out more.Greets Green Magazine April/May 2008 7