Home Security

Often, an intruder will be deterred from entering your home if you make it a noisy, difficult, time-consuming, and highly visible task.

Make your home look occupied. Leave a radio and some lights on when you're out. If you go on vacation, either stop your mail and newspaper deliveries or have a friend or neighbor pick them up. Arrange to have your grass cut if you will be gone long. Be creative when hiding your valuables; burglars often go straight to the bedroom to look under mattresses, in bedside stands and in closets for money and jewelry.

• Your NCDL should be engraved on enticing objects.
• Keep accurate records of serial numbers on all items to help in recovery.
• Lock your doors. A deadbolt lock is a good deterrent to burglars.
• Install an alarm system. Houses with alarms are avoided by burglars.
• Don't hide a key outside. Burglars know all the secret hiding places.
• Drill and pin your windows. Window locks can be jimmied. Pins cannot.
• Brace sliding glass doors. If the door is braced, the only way a burglar can get through it is to break it.
• Install good exterior lighting. Motion sensor lights and other good lights don't let a burglar hide in the dark.
• Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed. If bushes are too high, someone hiding near your windows and doors cannot be seen.
• Get a dog. Even a small dog may be a deterrent to a burglar.

« this page last modified 05/10/06 »