Burglary Prevention - Lights, Locks & the Law
The burglary basics:
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Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
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Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.
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Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
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Keep your garage door closed and locked.
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Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
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Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
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Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
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Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
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Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
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Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.
Don't tempt a thief:
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Lawn mowers, snow blowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
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Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
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Use curtains on garage and basement windows.
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Never leave notes on your door such as "Gone shopping."
Locks…get the best:
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No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective.
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Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.
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Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen. When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.
Targeting the Outside:
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Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
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Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
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Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.
Windows:
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Most windows can be pinned for security.
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Drill a 3/16" hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame - place a nail in the hole to secure the window.
Alarms:
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An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.
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Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you. If
Your Home Is Broken Into/You come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:
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Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.
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Use a neighbor's phone to call police.
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Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
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Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
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Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.
Other precautions you should take:
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Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
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Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
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Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.
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Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 911 immediately.
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Mark your valuables with your driver's license number with an engraver you can borrow from your precinct. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.
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Form a Neighborhood Watch Group. We can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.
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Consider installing a burglar alarm system.
The MOST important thing YOU can do is CALL THE POLICE to report a CRIME or any SUSPICIOUS activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes!
Remember the three L's of Crime Prevention: LIGHTS, LOCKS & the LAW!
Light up your residence, lock your doors at all times, and call the Law when you see something suspicious.