Editorial: Let's not make life easy for burglars

If you have inside pets it's highly likely you have a cat or dog door to allow them access in and out of your home.

While they're a common fixture, and one that seems pretty innocent, even thieves can turn it into something more sinister - a way of gaining access to your home and ripping you off.

In The Daily Post yesterday, we told readers about an increase in houses which had been broken into by burglars using cat doors. Rotorua Neighbourhood Support co-ordinator Bruce Quedley said burglars would reach their arm through the cat door to either unlock the door or a window close to a cat door.

It is pretty alarming that something so simple as a cat door is being used by criminals.

It has prompted a warning for Rotorua residents to check the location of their cat doors. If it's too close to a window or too close to the lock, it's probably in a bad spot. People should check their cat door and see whether either of these are within arm's length.

Cat doors also seem to be getting bigger as pet owners cater to their small dogs.

While thieves who really want to break into a house probably will, we shouldn't make it easy for them by having easy-access cat doors.

If your cat door has to be close to a window or a lock, or is one that is a little larger than the standard one, install an extra bolt or lock which is well out of the way - for instance, at the top of the door.

Don't let the criminals take advantage of you and don't let them win.

What do you think?

Email editor@dailypost.co.nz, text DP then your message to 021 241 4568, or write to editor, PO Box 1442, Rotorua.