Security Tips from John Arnold, CML
for You, Your Home, and Your Auto
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While no home is
ever completely burglar-proof, following these tips may make it very difficult for an intruder to gain entry. In most cases, an intruder will spend no more than 60 seconds trying to gain access to a residence—even less in a busy area.
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DOORS & WINDOWS: Make sure all doors and windows are secured with maximum security locks as recommended by police departments and insurance industry experts. Cheap, ineffective locks are as welcome a target to intruders as leaving a door or window wide open.
Reinforce your doors and windows. Metal doors with inside hinges are recommended, so are double locks (one third of housebreakers enter through a basement window).
Lock all windows and doors before you go out, when you go to bed, and when you leave for a trip or vacation.
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ALARM SYSTEMS & SECURITY LIGHTING: According to a US survey of those in
police custody for break-ins, the best deterrent is a security system linked to a licensed monitoring company such as SECURITEX.
Set up security lighting around the outside of your home, especially at side and rear doors and windows. Floodlights, which offer the brightest lighting, are the best deterrent to prowlers.
Use Motion Detection Lights, they attract more attention when they come on suddenly and do not waste energy when not needed.
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SMOKE & FIRE SAFETY: It is important to have working smoke detectors in your home. These are mandatory in most location these days. A working smoke detector can save your life or the life of a loved one.
Install detectors on each floor near stairways as a minimum.
Bedrooms and other rooms are good locations for smoke detectors. Children hurt by match play do not sit in the
hallway to play, they usually are in their bedroom. Put smoke detectors in bedrooms for advance warning
Check you smoke detectors every six months minimum to make sure they are in working order.
Replace batteries in detectors every six months. Tip: When you change your clocks change your batteries
Replace detectors about every ten years
As detectors get older they get dirty and usually will give more false alarms. If you are getting frequent false alarm problems it is time to replace your detector.
For detectors that are wired into your house, replace with a unit that has a battery backup. These units will continue to work when your power goes out and you are using candles etc. for light.
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DO A SECURITY SURVEY INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME: If you are not sure what you should be looking for, ask for advice, either from your SECURITEX Security Specialist or from the Crime Prevention Officer at your local police station.
Never leave a spare key in or near any door, gate, or window, where it might easily be seen by a thief. Most hiding places are obvious to intruders.
Gates leading to your yard or patio should be secured with the highest quality lock.
Plant thick, prickly shrubs close to basement and ground floor windows to deter prowlers.
Prune tree limbs away from your home to avoid easy access to upstairs windows.
Trim the bushes and trees to allow the maximum exposure of windows and doorways.
Check for items that could provide easy access to second floor windows or balconies.
Keep all ladders safely locked away in your garage or basement to avoid them being used to gain access to upper story windows. Make sure there are no tools for an intruder to use.
Lock up lshovels or any other tool they could use to pry a door or window open.
Make sure that all personal belongings such as barbecues and sports equipment are stored inside your house or garage when not in use.
Make sure window air conditioneing units cannot be removed from the outside.
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IDENTIFY & INVENTORY YOUR POSSESSIONS: It is good idea to make an inventory of all your major appliances, power tools, and electronic equipment.
Use property marking pens or an engraving tool (many police departments can provide you with an engraving tool) to secretly mark your property with your name, the serial numbers of electronic appliances and zip code.
Do not keep cash at home.
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KNOW WHO IS AT YOUR DOOR BEFORE OPENING: Install peepholes in exterior
doors so you can see who is at your door.
Always ask to see the identity of someone claiming to be from the gas, electricity, water, telephone etc. A genuine person will be pleased you asked and will pass you their card. Look carefully before letting them in.
If there is a Neighborhood Watch system in operation locally, join it. If your block or neighborhood does not have a Neighborhood Watch system, find out from local authorities how to start one. Remember, there is safety in numbers. A united community is a safer community.
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TAKE PRECAUTIONS BEFORE LEAVING ON A TRIP OR VACATION: Inform your local police station when you are going to be away. In addition, ask a friend or good neighbor to regularly check your house and remove any mail or free newspapers that may be accumulating, and take care of your yard to eliminate signs of absence.
Indiscriminantly leaving the lights on when you are not home is as sure a sign of your absence as when they are off. Use timers to control lights in various to simulate the normal pattern you have turning lights on and off.
Leave your radio tuned to an AM station to simulate a conversation.
During a long stay away from home, ask a neighbor to park his car in your driveway.
Ask someone you trust to pick up your mail, to mow the lawn or remove snow, and leave him/her a key so she/he can check your home.
If you are going away, cancel the papers, the milk and the mail - well in advance.
Never leave a message on your voice mail or your answering machine telling people you will be away for a certain length of time. Instead, record a generic message, such as "We're not able to come to the phone right now. Please leave your name and number, and we'll call you back."
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SAFETY TIPS WHILE IN YOUR AUTO: Remember that many places are no longer as safe as they once were, especially when you go shopping or other locations in your car, or spend time in a parking lot.
Park in a highly visible and well lit area. Be alert for any suspicious
activity. Inform store employees of any burned out lights and suspicious activity.
Remember where you parked so you do not have to spend a lot of time
looking for your car. Pay attention to your surroundings when walking to
your car.
Try not to sit in your car for a long period of time. If you do, keep the
doors locked.
Never leave valuables within plain sight in your car. Lock your valuables in your trunk whenever possible. Valuables left in a station wagon or van
should be covered with a blanket or left under the seats.
Never leave your car running when on a quick errand.
Never leave your keys in the car with the car unoccupied.
Never leave small children alone in your car while it is running, or leave your keys even if the car engine is turned off with the car unoccupied.
Always lock your doors when driving or parked. For extra protection use a
steering wheel lock when parked.
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MAKE IT EASY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES TO FIND YOUR HOUSE: Check that your house number is clearly visible both day and night. Get in your car and see how it looks while driving down the street.
Remember any Emergency Response Service will be looking for your house for the first time. Make it easy, when you need them seconds count.
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OTHER TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS:
Change your locks when you move into a new home.
Do not leave valuables within easy view from windows
Be cautious of strangers who want to use your phone. If you have a cordless phone bring it to them outside, if not make the call for them.
Do not give information about your daily routines, travel plans or home security status to anyone. Especially people doing telephone surveys or sales.
Lower your telephone ring volume so it cannot be heard from outside your house.
Do not enter your home if it appears to have been broken into. Call the Police from a neighbor's and wait.
Make it difficult to hide. Intruders prefer a building where they can hide while entering.
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