Most residential burglars are amateurs and include drug addicts, teenagers, and adult criminals looking for anything they can convert into quick cash. The property they steal most often is televisions, stereo sets, cameras, powertools, guns, jewery, and anything which can be quickly sold.
When casing a house, they usually enter those homes that can be easily broken into. Anything you can do to lessen the opportunity for entry and increase noise during the burglary is added protection.
Take these steps to protect your home.
Trim shrubs and bushes around doors and windows. They should not conceal an intruder attempting to force entry.
Do not place key under mat or above doorways.
Locks should be good quality dead bolts. Cheap locks can be forced open easily.
All windows should have anti-slide locks. This will force the burglar to break the glass to gain entry and make more noise.
When not at home, maintain normal lighting throughout and turn on the radio or television.
Install sensor lights around entry points. This may scare off potential burglars.
Place interior lights on a timer switch when away. This will make your empty home appear to be occupied.
If possible leave a vehicle in the driveway. It will appear as if someone is home.
Secure exterior attic doors with plywood and drywall screws. This will prevent burglars from smashing through the ceiling to gain entry.
Stop mail and deliveries during vacations or have someone pick up those newspapers in the driveway.
Don't leave notes on doors that you will be away.. Its an open inventation.
Install an alarm, but check with your local police on obtaining a permit if required.
Leave a key with a trusted friend or neighbor along with an emergency phone number where you may be contacted if your away from your home.
Call your local police and ask to be on a vacation watch list while you are away.
Exchange work and vacation schedules with a neighbor you trust so you can keep an eye on each others homes.
Report any non working street lights to the utility company immediately.
Make sure your house numbers are clearly visable from the street and alley. This will assist police and fire to locate your home more quickly.
Don't open a door to anyone you do not know without first verifying their identity.
Install a peephole in all entry doors so you can see who is outside without opening the door. A short chain between the door and jamb is not a good substitute because it can be broken easily.
The strike plate on all exterior doors should be anchored with screws 2-3 inches long so they reach well into the stud. This will make it extremely difficult for a burglar to kick the door open.
Secure large amounts of cash and jewery in a safe deposit box. Don't leave cash lying around.
Hide your valuable items in an unpredictable place like under the sink or the linen closet. Not in dresser drawers.The first place a burglar usually goes is the bedroom. Thats where the jewery is kept, so out of sight out of mind.
If you notice anything or anyone suspicious in your neighborhood, don't hesitate to call police immediately and give description of subjects or vehicles and direction of travel.
Remember: Security is like a chain. Your home is only as secure as the weakest link of the security chain.
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