Prevent Home Break Ins

DO “Case” Your Own House

Try and look at your home, condo or apartment through the eyes of a burglar. Or, pretend you have forgotten your key. How would you break in? Where are the easiest points of entry? Then consider what you can do to make them more secure.

DON’T Draw Attention to Your Valuables

Whenever you purchase a new television, computer, or other electronic equipment, you’re typically pretty excited to get your new goods hooked up – and you may not even thing about the box they came in. But leaving the box out by the curb is an announcement to thieves that you have pricey belongings – and they may wonder what else you have stashed inside the home. Similarly, if you have expensive items in plain sight of a ground floor window, you might want to consider rearranging a few things so the valuables are less obvious to any would-be burglars. Remember the old adage…out of sight, out of mind.

DO Use Your Basic Security

Every house has doors, locks, windows and lights. But the kinds you have and the ways you use them can make a big difference when it comes to preventing home break ins.

Doors. Make sure you have strong doors and doorframes. A peephole or wide angle viewer in the door is safer for identifying visitors than a door chain.

Locks. Install high quality locks. Deadbolt locks are best and the cylinder should be pick-resistant. Special locks are available for sliding glass doors, which can otherwise be easy to open.

Windows. A simple way to secure double-hung windows is to drill a hole through both the window casing and window frame, and then insert a nail “pinning” the upper and lower frames together. For windows on the street level, consider installing security bars or grates.

Windows. A simple way to secure double-hung windows is to drill a hole through both the window casing and window frame, and then insert a nail “pinning” the upper and lower frames together. For windows on the street level, consider installing security bars or grates.

DON’T Make It Obvious You’re Not Home

Home break ins tend to climb in volume during the summer months. Burglars know this is peak vacation time – and all too many houses act as calling cards for home break ins. Take the following actions to prevent home burglary:

• Ask the post office to hold your mail while you’re away, or have a friend pick up your mail for you. An overflowing mailbox advertises no one’s home.
• Ask a neighbor or house sitter to keep an eye on your home while you’re away. Simple actions such as moving a vehicle or mowing the lawn can make it look like someone is home.
• Rotate the lights, tv, or radio. Automatic, programmable electrical switches are inexpensive and easy to install on most any outlet.