Burglary Prevention Tips

Keep your home from being an easy target

Protect your home by discouraging intruders from making it their next target. Burglars are less likely to victimize a house that looks occupied or protected by a security system.

When you're on vacation or away from home

• Put lights, stereo or TV on a timer to give the appearance that someone is home.
• Secure sliding glass doors with pins to prevent both horizontal and vertical movement.
• Don't stop your mail or newspaper deliveries; it signals you're away. Instead, have a neighbor pick up your deliveries.
• Ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway to give your home the appearance that someone is there.

Keep yourself safe at home

• Lock doors and windows when you're home alone. Forty percent of home invasions occur because a door or window was left unlocked.
• Look through your peephole viewer to see who's there before opening the door.
• Always request identification from salespeople or repairmen before you let them in your home.
• List only your first initial and last name in the phone book.
• Fix broken locks or windows and install deadbolts on doors leading outside.
• Replace all locks immediately after moving into a new home

Keep your valuables safe

• Store high-value items such as jewelry, furs and firearms in a small closet with a solid core door, a non-removable hinge and a deadbolt lock.
• Keep important papers, valuable jewelry and large amounts of cash in a safe deposit box.
• Engrave your valuables with your driver's license or social security number.
• Keep gift-wrapped packages hidden from outside view.
• When you purchase new electronic equipment, do not "advertise it". Break down cartons before discarding.

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