- Landscaping
- Keep
bushes and trees trimmed away from windows and entry points to avoid
creating hiding places for criminals to lurk.
- Address
-
It is very frustrating and often increases the danger for all
involved if emergency personnel cannot see your street address numbers
when responding to help you. Well-lit house numbers and reflective
paint with numbers on the curb at your driveway help a great deal.
- Lighting
-
The lighting around your home is very important. Burglars like
darkness and cover. Many lights are available with motion detection
that will automatically turn on when there is activity in the area. If
possible make access to the bulbs out of reach from ground level.
There are many types of landscape lights available, which add
visibility around the perimeter of the home.
- Noise -
This is probably the burglar's worst enemy. A burglar
alarm system with a siren mounted inside and outside the home is a
valuable deterrent. Often these alarms have devices that detect open
doors, windows and even glass being broken to make entry into the home.
If it becomes too noisy, many times, your burglar will move on to an
easier home.
- Alarm Systems
- Alarm Systems can significantly enhance security if installed and
used properly.
Phony "Warning: These Premises Protected by the Acme Alarm
Company" signs are usually not effective; a serious burglar need
only look in the telephone directory to see whether an alarm company
exists. Most companies won't let non-customers display their emblem
and the burglars know that, too. There's no harm in using such signs,
but don't "expect" them to provide any protection.
- Answering Machine
- Don't leave messages on an answering machine stating you'll be away
for any specific length of time.
- Garage Door
- If you have electrically-operated garage doors, either
disconnect or bolt the doors before you leave for extended periods.
- Locks
- Always use the locks you have, on both your home and your
garage. Lock up every time you go out, even if it's only for a few
minutes. Almost 50 percent of burglars enter homes or property through
unlocked doors or windows. Install dead bolt locks on your doors. Make
sure it has at least a 1 inch draw into the door jamb.
- Hide Keys
- Never hide keys outside, such as under a bush or in a flower
pot. Burglars know where to find "secret" hiding places.
It's much better to leave a key with a trusted neighbor.
- Garden Shed -
Keeping the garden shed securely locked with all tools stored away.
- Valuables
- Locking all money and valuables in a secure place, such as
inside a home safe or inside a deposit box at the bank. Don’t place
valuable items inside your house where they can be easily seen from
the outside.
- Ladders
- Don't leave a ladder in the yard that a burglar can use to enter an
open second-story window.
- Pick-ups
- Have a trusted neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers every
day while you are on vacation. Have a neighbor use your garbage cans
occasionally. During the winter, arrange to have snow shoveled.
- Rekey -
Rekeying your home after you move in is one of the most important
things you can do. Remember this, "Who Has Your Keys"?
- Turn on security
system if you have one.
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