Courtesy of the Burglary Prevention Council, the following tips are intended to help homeowners secure their residences from burglars.
Keep all doors and windows closed and securely fastened. An open window or door is an open invitation for burglars. Thieves are also quick to spot weak locks that may be easily forced open. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a 1" throw and reinforced strike plate with 3" screws. All windows should have window locks.
Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track.
Always lock the door to an attached garage. Don't rely on your automatic garage door opener for security.
Create the illusion that you are home by using timers on lights, radios and TVs. Making you residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, will deter-criminals. Contrary to popular belief, most burglaries occur in the daytime while most people are at work.
Never leave clues that you are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away so delivered items do not accumulate. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place to make it appear that you are present. In Homerville, you can also contact the police department and ask for a residence watch-a daily or nightly police check on the perimeter of your home.
Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to maintain a normal, everyday appearance in your residence.
Never leave a message on you telephone answering machine telling people that you are away from home. A message that you will return at a certain time leaves you home vulnerable in the interim.
Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate hedges may be beautiful, they also provide a hiding place for burglars who need only a minute to break in through a window or door.
Organize a neighborhood watch program to protect your neighborhood. An alert community is a safe community. God Bless nosy neighbors who call the police when things just don't look right.
