Burglary Prevention Tips

Most homes provide only minimal security protection against the professional criminal. There are, however, certain basic security measures which you should consider to reduce the vulnerability of your home.

• Secure all outside doors with deadbolt locks. Outer doors should be 1¾ inch thick solid core wood or metal.

• Have good lighting at all entrances.

• Add auxiliary locks to sliding glass doors to prevent lifting and sliding.

• Add auxiliary locks on all windows to prevent lifting and sliding.

• Never automatically open your door. Make sure you know who is on the other side before you open it. Insist on identification from repair and sales persons. If in doubt, call their company for identification. Don't rely on their ID. Look up the company name and phone number in the phone book directly.

• Know your neighbors and work out a mutual watch and warning system to prevent burglaries and other break-ins.

• Do not admit persons asking to use your telephone. Offer to make the call for them.

• If you come home and find a door or window open or signs of forced, DO NOT ENTER. Call the police for assistance.

• Identify your belongings by engraving your drivers license number on your possessions.

• Use automatic timers to turn indoor lights on and off to give the appearance you are home. Stagger the on/off times of the timers for different areas of your house.

• Stop mail and other deliveries when you are gone for any length of time, or have a trusted neighbor pick them up for you.

• Do not hide spare keys. Give keys to trusted neighbors.

• Close and lock doors and windows every time you leave your home.

• Install a peephole viewer in your door.

• Have your locks re-keyed every time you move into a new house or apartment.

• If you live in an apartment, be attentive and careful if you are alone in the laundry room or garage by yourself, especially late at night.

Products

• Schlage
• Medeco
• Master
• Von Duprin
• OmniLock
• Primus