Safety and Security Tips provided by the U.S. Department of Justice:
Outside
- Prune lower limbs from trees near the house.
- Trim bushes so windows are visible to neighbors.
- High fences shield burglars from sight.
- Lock up your ladders and tools.
- Trellises help a burglar climb to a second story.
- Porches and entrances should be well lit.
- Your street number should be clearly visible for police and firemen.
Doors and Windows
- Entry doors should be solid core wood that is at least 1-3/4” thick, or metal.
- Doors should fit tightly. 1/8” clearance maximum.
- Doors with glass panels should have a break-resistant plastic panel.
- Sliding doors need special locks or a wooden strip in the track to secure the door.
- Use a dead-bolt door lock with a strike plate attached by 3” screws.
- A rim mounted lock with bolt affords good protection.
- Use police locks on rear and basement doors.
- Padlocks must be sturdily constructed. Hasp must be bolted, not screwed.
- Use special locks for double hung windows.
- Use metal grills on vulnerable windows.
Vacation Check
- Advise police that you will be away.
- Have your neighbor pick up packages.
- Have a friend pick up mail and newspapers daily.
- Hide garbage cans in a garage or basement.
- Double check locks on all windows and doors.
- Leave your shades and blinds in their normal position.
- Turn the bell on your telephone low so a burglar will not hear it ringing.
- Stop deliveries of papers and magazines.
Keys
- Never carry identification tags on your keys.
- Don’t hide keys outside.
- Have locks re-keyed or changed when moving.
- Keep daily routines confidential.
- Don’t put valuables where they are visible.
- Don’t let strangers into your home to use the phone.
- Wrong numbers or telephone surveys may be used by burglars to “case” your home.
- Avoid listing your name or address in newspaper advertisements.
- On the day of a funeral, you should always have a sitter in your home.
- Add an identification number (from the police department) on all valuable possessions.
- If your home or apartment appears to have been broken into, don’t go inside. Call the police.
