Ways to Secure Your Home

1. GET NEW LOCKS or have tumblers reset when you move into a previously occupied dwelling.  You have no way to know who might have keys to your door.

2. DON’T HIDE KEY outside the door; under mats, flowerpots, over moldings, etc.  If you can hide it, a burglar can find it.  If you want an extra key nearby, leave one with a trusted neighbor.

3. HAVE GOOD, SAFE LOCKS on all doors.  Use auxiliary deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.  Lock the doors when you go out – even for just a minute.

4. INSTALL AN ALARM that can be used to detect entry or smoke.  Post on doors and windows that residence has an alarm.

5. DON’T LEAVE HOUSE AND CAR KEYS TOGETHER with attendants at public parking lots.  Your house keys can be quickly duplicated and your address obtained from your plate number.

6. REPORT BROKEN STREET LIGHTS in your neighborhood.  Well-lit areas discourage burglars by taking away their hiding places.

7. DON’T LET STRANGERS GO INTO YOUR HOME.  Use a peephole or talk through device.  Ask for identification.  People on legitimate business will be glad to show identification.

8. DON’T GIVE INFORMATION to strangers on the telephone.  On wrong-number calls, don’t tell the caller your number.  Report continued wrong numbers to the phone company.

9. USE METAL GRILLWORK on glass in entrance doors and decorative side glass to prevent burglars from breaking the glass and reaching inside to open the door.

10. REPORT TO POLICE any strangers loitering in your neighborhood or people asking strange questions about your whereabouts.

11. STORE LADDERS INSIDE.  Don’t leave them loose outside.  If you can’t put it safely inside, lock it securely.  Suggest your neighbors follow this rule of ladders too.

12. PUT THINGS AWAY.  Don’t leave articles on sidewalks, lawn or porch areas easily accessible to the general public.

13. BE ALERT for unusual activities.  If you see an unknown person loitering in or around a neighbor’s yard, don’t be afraid to check their identity with your neighbor by phone. 

14. CLOSE GARAGE DOORS whether at home or away.  Opened – and empty usually indicates an empty home, and often allows easy access to entryway, unseen from the street.

15. WHEN WORKING IN AN ATTIC OR CELLAR or anyplace away from the main area of the house – LOCK UP!

16. SECURE ALL ENTRANCES at night and when leaving…including garage doors, sun deck and porch doors, etc.

17. SECURE PATIO DOORS. They should lock from the inside… a strip of wood placed in the inside track will prevent sliding the door open from the outside.

18. USE LIGHTS EFFECTIVELY.  Leave several burning in different parts of the house when you go out.  Outside entrance lights and post lights illuminate possible hiding places around your house.

19. HAVE EFFECTIVE WINDOW LOCKS.  A safe unobtrusive lock can be made by drilling through the top of the bottom window sash and inserting a small nail into the hole.

20. VARY YOUR ROUTINE. If you follow the same routine week in and week out, a would-be burglar could watch your movements and know when your house is likely to be empty.

21. SINGLE WOMEN should never place their full name on the mailbox – your first and middle initial should be used, rather than “Miss” or Mrs.”

22. KEEP FEW VALUABLES in your home.  Money, jewelry, furs, etc., are safer in a storage vault or safe deposit box.

23. KEEP MAIL BOX EMPTY.  If you are away, arrange with a neighbor to have circulars, etc. taken out of the box.

24. CHECK REFERENCES of maids, cleaning women, anyone who may have to work inside your home while you are away from it.