Burglary Prevention

BurglaryHere are some basic tips for potential burglary:
  • Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Keep your garage door closed and locked.
  • 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.
  • Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
  • Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
  • Push button locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
  • Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
  • Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.
BurglaryHome Protective Measures
Don't tempt a thief with goods kept in plain sight. Lawn mowers, snow blowers, barbecues, and bicycles are best stored out of sight. Always lock your garden sheds and garages. Use curtains on garage and basement windows. Windows can be pinned for security by drilling a 3/16 inch hole downward at an angle through the window frame and into the sill, allowing a nail to be placed in the hole. Never leave notes on your door indicating that you are not there.

When moving into a new home it is recommended to change all of the keyed locks. No lock is perfect so ask your local locksmith about what they would use in that situation. Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards. Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders. Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

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. Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.

​Home Invasion


If you come home to find an unexplained open / broken window or door:
  • Do not enter, the perpetrator may still be inside.
  • Use a neighbor's phone to call police.
  • Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
  • Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
  • Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.
Other precautions you should take:
  • Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes, or other secret hiding places for burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
  • Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase, 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.
  • Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.
  • Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 911 immediately.
  • 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.
  • Form a Neighborhood Watch Group. We can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.
  • 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.