-
If exterior doors are hollow-core, replace them with
solid wood, fiberglass or steel.
-
Make sure exterior door hinges are on the inside
rather than the outside - where an intruder can remove the pins and
pull the door out of the frame
-
If you have double-hung windows, bolt the upper and
lower sashes together or insert a metal bar in the track to prevent
opening
-
To secure sliding glass doors, add a bolt lock or use
a "charley bar" to block the door closed.
-
Use bars to secure basement or garage doors and add
bars to basement windows.
-
Most home burglaries occur between 8:00am and 5:00pm,
so get in the habit of always locking all doors and windows whenever
you go out.
-
Invest in high-quality, name-brand deadbolt locks for
all exterior doors.
-
If you have a double-cylinder deadbolt that is
operated by a key both inside and out, keep the key near the door so
every family member can find it and exit quickly in case of fire.
-
Alarm systems are an effective deterrent. Nine out of
ten convicted burglars agree they'd avoid a house protected by an
alarm system.
-
Security system decals and signs are also an effective
deterrent.
-
According to the FBI, more burglaries occur in July
and August than in any other months.
-
Make sure your security system includes a loud inside
alarm, detectors at all exterior doors, and motion sensors in the
master bedroom and main living areas.
-
Never leave an answering machine message indicating
you're not at home. Instead, just say you "can't come to the phone."
-
Use timers to turn lights, televisions and sound
systems on and off at different times to give your home a "lived-in
look" when you're away.
-
Install motion-detecting outdoor floodlights around
your home. Remember to mount them high enough to prevent intruders
from disabling them.
-
If there's a Neighborhood Watch Program in your
community, join it. If there's not, start one.
-
Report any suspicious persons or vehicles to your
local police.
-
Get to know your neighbors.
-
If you have elderly or incapacitated friends or
relatives, check to make sure their security devices are all in good
working order.
-
Some burglars scan newspapers for wedding and funeral
announcements and special community and holiday events that might take
you out of your home, so be especially careful on these occasions.
-
Don't let mail, newspapers or flyers accumulate while
you're away, tipping off criminals. Have the post office hold mail,
have newspapers suspended, and have a neighbor or friend clear away
flyers.
-
To a burglar, an empty trash can may mean you're away.
Keep some trash on hand, and consider asking a neighbor to set out
trash for pick-up at your house.
-
Don't leave valuables in sight through windows, where
they will tempt burglars.
-
Use an etching pen to mark an ID number, like your
driver's license number, on valuables.
-
Make an inventory of valuables in your household and
store it somewhere other than your home, such as in a safe deposit
box.
-
Leave curtains slightly parted so your house doesn't
have an empty look.
-
Never open the door to a stranger. Install peepholes
in all exterior doors so you can identify whoever is outside. Do not
rely on a door safety chain, because these can be broken easily.
-
Ask for I.D. from service representatives who come to
your home, and if they don't have it, check with their company to
verify identity before letting them in.
-
If you're planning to go away, be careful whom you
tell.
-
When vacationing, leave a car in your driveway or
arrange for a neighbor to keep a car there and move it around from
time to time.
-
Have someone mow your lawn, rake leaves and shovel
snow while you're away.
-
Prune overgrown trees and shrubs to eliminate hiding
places for intruders.
-
Many garage door openers respond to common codes, so
follow the manufacturer's instructions to program yours with a unique
code no burglar's opener will match.
-
Keep your garage door locked at all times, preferably
with a deadbolt lock.
-
Thieves always look in mailboxes, under doormats and
above doorways for keys. Don't make it easy for them to get into your
home.
-
Don't put your name or address on your key ring,
because it might lead a thief right to your door with key in hand.
-
When having a car parked or serviced, leave only the
car keys.
-
If there's any chance a previous resident may still
have keys to your house, re-key the locks.
