Most people only consider securing their home in Javea after a burglary.
If that’s you, then this blogpost will teach you the top 10 tips to secure your home in Javea against any future break-ins. Find clever methods to fool potential burglars into believing someone is at home below.
But first, a word for anyone who has just bought or is buying property in Javea.
Javea property buyers – did you know a high proportion of burglaries occur within the first few weeks of moving in?
Why is that?
Many notaries or mortgage providers sell lists of addresses that have recently changed hands to alarm systems salespeople. This is why so many homeowners in Javea suddenly find salespeople at the door right after moving in.
The two main alarm system providers are Securitas Direct and Prosegur. These nationwide companies typically offer a one-off installation fee around €900 (usually subject to a limited discount) and then a monthly subscription fee around €30.
Know that you can also purchase a full alarm system for around €400-€800 and save yourself monthly subscriptions. The difference is usually that you are notified of suspicious activity directly to your smartphone – and then you decide to contact local police yourself – rather than having a control room at an alarm system company notify police for you.
How you actually secure your home is up to you.
But you should know that lists of properties with new owners also fall into the wrong hands.
Properties with a new owner are likely to have valuable items inside and are unlikely to have a proper alarm system set up yet. It’s a prime target for burglars. And that’s why some homeowners regret putting off the decision to install an alarm system right away after buying property in Javea.
Are burglaries a big problem in Javea?
Javea for decades has been one of the safest towns in Alicante. Violent crimes, sexual crimes and drug-related crimes are rare.
But burglaries have seen a noticeable increase since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between January to September in 2022 there were 206 burglaries reported by Javea residents. This was a 104% increase from the same period in 2021, when 101 burglaries were recorded.
Why the increase?
Of the 25,278 registered properties in Javea some 5,326 (21% of total) are classified as ‘empty’ according to Spain’s national institute of statistics. Some 13,038 (52% of total) are classified as second homes or holiday homes which are left empty for weeks or months at a time.
Without proper alarm systems in place and clever tactics to turn potential burglars away, your property could be at risk when you leave for a holiday or to return to your main country of residence.
We hope you’ll have all the information you need after reading the 10 tips on how to secure your home in Javea below.
10 tips to secure your home in Javea
#1 – Don’t tell burglars you’re away
Be aware that posts you write on social media about your holiday or time away from Javea could be seen by undesirable people. The more details you share about the time away the more you are telling burglars you’re away and your home is empty.
PRO TIP: Paul Johnson on Javea Connect suggests that if you do make social media posts, then thank an imaginary family member for taking care of your home while you’re away.
#2 – Talk to your neighbours
A good relationship with your neighbours can be crucial burglar prevention. Tell them you’re going away and tell them you’re not expecting builders or anyone popping round. Have your time remove letters from the mailbox if necessary or move a second car you have to make it look like you’re in.
#3 – Tell burglars what to expect
Most alarm companies will give you a sign informing anyone that the property is protected. Replace it if it’s old or move it somewhere in full view. If you install an alarm system yourself, get an equivalent sign to ward off potential burglars.
PRO TIP: Place a dummy box on the front wall of a property if necessary.
#4 – Put lights or appliances on a switch timer
Buy a switch timer and hook it up to lights, TV or radio and set the timer to turn on at different times during the day or night. This can give the impression you’re in.
#5 – Secure your windows
According to a study by Securitas Direct, windows are the most common point of entry for burglars. This is the case for 57% of burglaries in Spain. Doors are only forced open in 18% of burglaries, and 5% of burglars enter through a garage. You can secure your windows by fixing metal bars or a grill to the outside of the property. Some home insurance providers will make this mandatory.
#6 – Protect your alarm system from ‘jammers’
Burglars can easily buy jammers to sabotage a wireless alarm system. This means all your time and money invested in the alarm system could be rendered useless by a €2 device bought on AliExpress. The best alarm systems will monitor the frequency of the wireless signal and be able to detect intentional disturbance.
PRO TIP: If you have a door-to-door salespeople offering you an alarm system, ask them about how you will be protected from sabotage. Many times the salespeople can’t answer or don’t know.
#7 – Watch out for the plastic strip trick
A common sign that burglars are eyeing up your property is a plastic strip or line of glue on your doorframe. Burglars will sometimes leave such a mark to see whether a door is being used – if not, the property is likely unoccupied. This is something you could ask a neighbour to periodically check.
#8 – Be prepared to phone the police at all times
You can still phone the local police or Guardia Civil in Javea when you’re overseas. If your alarm system is DIY, have the numbers to hand and call them following any notifications of suspicious activity. If your alarm system is operated by a security company you can inform them you are going away and request they phone the police straight away.
#9 – Don’t get fined for false alarms
You can get fined for false alarms in Spain. If you phone the police three or more times in a period of 60 days on the false suspicion your property is being burgled you can be fined. This is the same whether you phone the police yourself or have a security company notify police on your behalf.
#10 – Prepare your valuables and items for insurance claims
If you have home insurance, you will need to provide photographs and often receipts to be able to make a claim. Write down any relevant serial numbers. This can help speed up an insurance claim in event of an unfortunate break-in – but this information will also help police track down your items on the black market and return them to you.
PRO TIP: Consider installing a safe at your property and putting valuable items there when you’re away.