Home Safety

Front Entrance

• Doors should be metal clad or solid core wood construction. A deadlock, in addition to the key-in-the-knob lock is essential. Use a wide angle viewer rather than a door chain to observe callers. A screen door or storm door offers additional protection if kept locked

Ground Floor Windows

• All ground floor windows should have some means of locking the window. Keep your windows closed and locked when you are away. Screens and storm windows should be securely fastened to the structure. It is NOT recommended to nail your windows closed as you may need to open the windows in a hurray in case of a fire

Upper Floor Windows

• Keep your second floor secure by trimming tree branches away from the house to prevent climbing, and do not store ladders where a burglar can use them. Lock all windows while you are away. Take the same precautions as with ground windows.

Garage Door

• The garage door should always be closed and locked. Make sure that you treat the entrance door from the garage to your house the same as any other door. A burglar in your garage can work on your garage door undetected.

Porch and Patio Doors

• Treat all exterior doors on the rear and sides of your home as probable targets for entry. Since they may be less observable from the street and by neighbors than your front entrance, you may need to take extra precautions.

Yard Lights

• Each exterior entrance-including the garage door should be well lighted. Post lights in your yard or floodlights mounted under the eaves to prevent blind spots where burglars can hide. Low cost controls for exterior lights will turn them on and off at specified times, or light sensors will illuminate them from dusk to dawn.

Interior Lights

• When you are away from home-whether on vacation or just for the evening-keep some interior lights burning. To create the appearance that someone is at home, use a timer to turn lights on and off at normal times. A radio playing adds to the illusion that the house is occupied.

Landscaping

• When placing trees, bushes, and flowers remember to keep doorways, windows and porches clear. Remember that the bushes that provide you with privacy also give a burglar a place to hide.
• Keep the yard up kept to give the presence that some one is staying there (vacant rental property)

Be Neighborly

• Talk with your neighbors about your concern about burglary. Tell them what you are doing to protect your home. Ask them to report any suspicious persons or activities around your home to the police. Good neighbors make safe neighbors