As winter slides in and the nights become darker, the Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership wants to remind people to take the proper precautions when entering the stairwell to your house or flat.

Dark nights can act as a shield to potential offenders as they are less likely to be observed. For example, if your house or flat is not properly lit outside, it is less likely that you will see people approaching or hanging about in the stairwell.

Here is some helpful advice on how to protect yourself and your home:

• Never leave the front entrance door to the stairwell wedged open
• Never leave the front entrance door to the stairwell lock on the snib
• Make sure the intercom system is in full working order and is regularly serviced
• Do not admit any callers into the common stair unless they are known by you or are expected
• Do not let callers in for other residents
• If someone is claiming to be from the Police or they are there for any other emergency purposes (gas, water, ambulance etc) you can contact the organisation that they claim to work for by telephone and seek verification

• Stair lighting is very important and should be maintained in good working order at all times (for problems with stair lighting in Council or private buildings phone stair lighting on 0131 529 5757).

If you are not able to get residents to agree to help maintain the stairwell, you can contact the Council for advice and information on 0131 529 4892. In certain cases they can impose a statutory notice on occupiers who refuse to contribute to the up keep or maintenance of the door system.