Home Security Tips

Home Security Tips

Many people fall victim to burglary in our area each year. Take a look at the following information and don't make it easy for a burglar to make you a victim.

DOORS:

• A hollow or light weight door to any outside access can be easily entered through by force. All of these accesses should house a metal or solid wood door of 1-3/4" hard wood.
• Outside access doors should fit within the frame of which they sit and there should not be any more than a 1/8th inch clearance between any portion of the door and its frame. Metal frames give more protection than wood frames and should be considered whenever possible. Door hinges should always be on the inside not allowing anyone from the outside to remove the hinge pins.
• Every door accessing the outside of a structure should have good quality locks installed to include deadbolts. Sliding glass doors should have a decent locking device at the handle and you should place a board in the track of the door once it is closed to prevent its being opened from the outside. Remember the doors and windows you have on that second story balcony. Thieves will climb up to them because people frequently don't secure them as adequately.
• Be sure to secure your residence every time you leave. Burglars frequently enter homes un-obstructed thus making you an easy target.
• Ensure you door locks are placed far enough away from any glass panels or other openings to prevent a would be thief from reaching in and unlocking the door. As a general rule, 40" should be an adequate distance.

WINDOWS:

• Consideration should be given to windows. Those easily accessed (lower to the ground) should be secured with a locking device.
• Most windows come with some form of locking device that are easily unlocked after breaking a window. There is a variety of locking devices you can use to include a key lock preventing the window from being opened without a key.
• Consider the use of bars and/or grates over particularly vulnerable windows.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:

• Ensure areas of access are well lit at night. Most burglars don't like to be in the spot light. Use motion sensors that trigger a lighting system to come on when someone approaches any one of a number of access areas around your house. Place these type of lights out of reach if possible.
• If you are gone for a long period of time, utilize indoor light timers to give the appearance of occupancy. Have the neighbor or a friend pick up the papers on your door step as well as the mail from your mail box. Arrange to have the snow shoveled from your driveway and walkways in the winter. Turn the ringer down on your phone and turn the answering machine volume down as well. Pick up the messages left on your machine regularly while away to prevent a long tone being played to those who are waiting to leave an additional message. (most message machines have the capability for you to retrieve your messages from another location)
• Trim down those overgrown shrubs and bushes that are blocking access areas from view of the public.
• Don't hide keys outside of the house. It is better to give a key to a friend or relative you can trust. Thieves often check the common hiding places. (Don't make it easy for them)
• Don't carry your keys with any identifiable tags notifying a would be thief of your exact location for a future burglary.