Protecting Your Home:

[Adam in CO]

Protecting Your Home:
Locks, Lights and Good Neighbors
One of the crimes most frequently reported to the police is residential burglary. It's also the most preventable. It doesn't take much or cost much to out-smart most burglars. They're usually not professionals, but rather people taking advantage of an easy target. Burglars may do more than steal things. If they're surprised by someone coming home or if they choose a home that's occupied, someone may get hurt.

Tips on Safeguarding Your Home

• Make sure all exterior doors have good locks-at least dead-bolt locks with a 1" throw.
• Always lock up when you go out, even if only for a few minutes.
• Secure sliding glass doors with bars or locks,or put a broom handle in the door track.
• Make sure your windows have good locks, especially those at ground level.
• Make sure all porches, entrances, and outside areas are well lit.
• Trim any bushes or trees that hide doors or windows.
• Maintain your yard and keep ladders and tools inside when you're not using them.
• Don't hide your keys under the doormat or in a flowerpot. That's the first place burglars look! It's much better to give an extra key to a trusted neighbor.
• Mark your valuable property like TVs, VCRs, computers, cameras and stereos with your driver's license number.
• Keep a record of your property in a safe place.
• Install an alarm system for summoning emergency help.
• If you park your car outside, never leave a garage door opener in the car.

When you go away

• Ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers, and offer to return the favor.
• Put an automatic timer on at least two lights and a radio. Consider photoelectric sensors to turn outside lights on and off automatically.
• Tell a trusted neighbor when you're leaving and when you'll return. Include an itinerary and phone numbers where you can be reached in an emergency.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
There's more to crime prevention than locks and lighting. The fact is, concerned neighbors who watch out for each other are the front-line defenses against crime.

• Get to know your neighbors and discuss your concerns about the neighborhood.
• Be alert to things that invite crime like poor street lighting, boarded-up buildings, a lack of recreational activities or jobs for teens, vacant lots littered with debris and inadequate day-care and after-school programs. Work with law enforcement, civic groups, schools, churches and service clubs to solve the problems.
• Alert law enforcement to suspicious activities and any crimes.
• Report nonworking street lights, abandoned houses and other problems.
• Join a Neighborhood Watch group. If there's no Watch organization in your neighborhood, start one with help from local law enforcement and community groups.