Burglary Prevention Tips

-Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break into.

-Lock all outside doors and windows before you go to bed or leave your house even for a short time.

-Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.

-Keep your garage door closed and locked.

-Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers to build up while you are away. Arrange for the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to pick them up regularly.

-Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.

-Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.

-Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors because pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open.

-Purchase special locks for vulnerable sliding glass doors that offer better security.

-Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.

-Lawn mowers, snow blowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight.

-Always lock your garden shed and garage.

-Use curtains on garage and basement windows.

-Never leave notes on your door such as "Gone shopping."

-No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.

-Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.

-When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

-Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.

-Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.

-Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

-Most windows can be pinned for security.

-Drill a 3/16" hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame, and place a nail in the hole to secure the window.

-An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There are a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.

-Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.

-Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places—burglars know where to look for hidden keys.

-Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase, original value and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home—this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.

-Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.

-Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 911 immediately.

-Mark your valuables with your driver's license number with an engraver you can borrow from your precinct. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.

-Form a neighborhood watch group. Your precinct can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.

-Consider installing a burglar alarm system.

*The most important thing you can do is to call the police to report a crime or any suspicious activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes.