Full Notification

BURGLARY PREVENTION TIPS:

THE BURGLARY BASICS:

• Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.

• Burglaries do happen in the daylight hours.

• 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. Deadbolts are good for outside 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, even when home. If you do leave your garage door open and it is an attached garage – lock the door into the house.

• 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.

• Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security. Even a wooden dowel or a track blocker will help prevent the door from opening.

• Just because it’s horrible weather outside – that doesn’t stop the criminal activity.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE:

• Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places. 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 and 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 good neighbors. Look out for each other when away from home. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 911 immediately.

• Form a Neighborhood Watch Group. Police can work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.