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Home Security
If you're locked out of your home, can you still get in? ... through an unlocked window in the back, or using
an extra key hidden under a flower pot or up on a ledge?
If you can break in, so can a burglar.
A small investment of time and money can make your home more secure and can reduce voter chances of
being a victim of burglary, assault, or vandalism. Get to know your neighbors. Watchful neighbors who look
out for you as well as themselves are a front line defense against crime.
CHECK THE LOCKS
In almost half of all residential burglar thieves walk in through an unlocked door or crawl through an
unlocked window
. Make sure every external door has a deadbolt lock
. Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available locks or with a broomstick or
wooden dowel in the track to jam the door if someone tries to pry it open. Insert a pin
in a hole drilled in the sliding door frame that goes through to the fixed frame to pre-
vent anyone from lifting the door off its track.
. Secure double-hung windows by sliding a bolt or nail through a hole drilled at a
downward angle in each top corner of the inside sash and pa way through the outside
sash. Secure basement windows as well.
. Don't hide keys in mailboxes, planters, or under doormats. Give an extra key to a
neighbor you trust.
. If you've just moved into a new house or apartment, re-key the locks.
Locks…get the best
• No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide
minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.
• Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
• When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.
CHECK THE DOORS
Locks aren't as effective if they're on flimsy doors. Make sure all exterior doors are solid wood or metal.
Doors should fit tightly in their frames, with hinge pins on the inside.
Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors, so you can see who is outside without opening
the door. Door chains are not a security device - they break easily and won't keep out an intruder
CHECK THE OUTSIDE
To discourage burglars from selecting your home as their target of opportunity, make sure to:
Prune back shrubbery that hides doors or windows. Cut back tree limbs that could help a thief climb into
windows.
Light porches, entrances, and yards front and back. Consider timers that turn on outside lights or install
motion detectors.
Outside
• Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for
backyards.
• Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
Make sure your door hinges are on the inside
Keep your yard well-maintained. Store ladders and tools inside your locked garage, basement, or storage
shed when you're not using them.
Clearly display your house number so police and other emergency vehicles can find your home clearly.
Help the neighborhood stay in good shape. Dark alleys, broken street lights, abandoned cars, vacant
buildings, graffiti, litter, and run-down areas attract crime. Work with the local government and neighbors
to organize community clean-up days.
Put lights and a radio on timers to create the illusion that someone is at home when you go away. Leave
shades, blinds, and curtains in normal positions. Stop the mail and newspapers, or ask a neighbor to take
them in.
Update your home inventory, listing things like VCRs, stereos, cameras, sports equipment, and computers.
Take photos or make videos of items, list descriptions and serial numbers. Check with law enforcement
about Operation
WHAT ABOUT ALARMS?
If you have valuables in your home, or live in an isolated area or a neighborhood vulnerable to break-ins,
consider an alarm system.
Alarms
• An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to
homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the
market.
• Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system
available to you.
Before you invest in alarms:
Check with several companies and decide what level of security fits your needs. Sources of information
include your local police department, the public library, and the Better Business Bureau.
Look for an established company and check references before signing a contract.
Learn how to use your system properly. If you continually set off false alarms, your neighbors will ignore
the noise and you could be fined.
BURGLARS CAN TAKE MORE THAN YOUR PROPERTY
Burglars generally don't want to run into their victims, But if they're surprised by someone coming home or
pick a home that's occupied, someone may get hurt.
If you see a screen slit, a window broken, or a door ajar, don't go in. Call the police from a neighbor's
house or a public phone.
If you hear a noise in the night that sounds like someone breaking in or moving around, call the police and
wait for them to come. If you can leave safely, do so. Otherwise lock yourself in a room or, if the intruder is
in the room, pretend to be asleep.
Think carefully before buying a firearm for protection. Firearms can be stolen and sold to anyone, or
captured and used on you or the- police. If you do own a handgun, please call your local Police Department
they will remove the firearm safely.
LOOK BEYOND LOCKS AND ALARMS
Join a Neighborhood Watch group. If one doesn't exist, ask your police department to help you start one.
Look around for things that could contribute to crime - poor street lighting, abandoned cars, vacant lots,
littered playgrounds with broken equipment, homes that elderly owners have trouble maintaining. Help
organize a clean-up/fix-up day.
If your neighbors are ever victims, help out. Offer sympathy and support, and help with meals, repairs or
baby-sitting.
Opening Your Doors to Strangers
Take great care . . . you don't ever have to open the door.
1. Peepholes . . . to see who's there: Wide-angle peepholes are a highly recommended
viewing device because the person outside does not know that you see him/her. If the
peephole is covered, do not open the door.
2. Chain locks … a false sense of safety: Chain locks are not recommended because they
are mounted with short screws and have weak chains.
3. Door wedges really work: A door wedge is a better alternative when you wish to open
your door only a few inches to speak to a stranger. This device is useful for children and
women who are alone at home. It can be found in most hardware stores.
Use Smoke Alarms
Test them regularly and replace batteries when needed.
If you're locked out of your home, can you still get in? ... through an unlocked window in the back, or using
an extra key hidden under a flower pot or up on a ledge?
If you can break in, so can a burglar.
A small investment of time and money can make your home more secure and can reduce voter chances of
being a victim of burglary, assault, or vandalism. Get to know your neighbors. Watchful neighbors who look
out for you as well as themselves are a front line defense against crime.
CHECK THE LOCKS
In almost half of all residential burglar thieves walk in through an unlocked door or crawl through an
unlocked window
. Make sure every external door has a deadbolt lock
. Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available locks or with a broomstick or
wooden dowel in the track to jam the door if someone tries to pry it open. Insert a pin
in a hole drilled in the sliding door frame that goes through to the fixed frame to pre-
vent anyone from lifting the door off its track.
. Secure double-hung windows by sliding a bolt or nail through a hole drilled at a
downward angle in each top corner of the inside sash and pa way through the outside
sash. Secure basement windows as well.
. Don't hide keys in mailboxes, planters, or under doormats. Give an extra key to a
neighbor you trust.
. If you've just moved into a new house or apartment, re-key the locks.
Locks…get the best
• No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide
minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.
• Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
• When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.
CHECK THE DOORS
Locks aren't as effective if they're on flimsy doors. Make sure all exterior doors are solid wood or metal.
Doors should fit tightly in their frames, with hinge pins on the inside.
Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors, so you can see who is outside without opening
the door. Door chains are not a security device - they break easily and won't keep out an intruder
CHECK THE OUTSIDE
To discourage burglars from selecting your home as their target of opportunity, make sure to:
Prune back shrubbery that hides doors or windows. Cut back tree limbs that could help a thief climb into
windows.
Light porches, entrances, and yards front and back. Consider timers that turn on outside lights or install
motion detectors.
Outside
• Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for
backyards.
• Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
Make sure your door hinges are on the inside
Keep your yard well-maintained. Store ladders and tools inside your locked garage, basement, or storage
shed when you're not using them.
Clearly display your house number so police and other emergency vehicles can find your home clearly.
Help the neighborhood stay in good shape. Dark alleys, broken street lights, abandoned cars, vacant
buildings, graffiti, litter, and run-down areas attract crime. Work with the local government and neighbors
to organize community clean-up days.
Put lights and a radio on timers to create the illusion that someone is at home when you go away. Leave
shades, blinds, and curtains in normal positions. Stop the mail and newspapers, or ask a neighbor to take
them in.
Update your home inventory, listing things like VCRs, stereos, cameras, sports equipment, and computers.
Take photos or make videos of items, list descriptions and serial numbers. Check with law enforcement
about Operation
WHAT ABOUT ALARMS?
If you have valuables in your home, or live in an isolated area or a neighborhood vulnerable to break-ins,
consider an alarm system.
Alarms
• An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to
homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the
market.
• Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system
available to you.
Before you invest in alarms:
Check with several companies and decide what level of security fits your needs. Sources of information
include your local police department, the public library, and the Better Business Bureau.
Look for an established company and check references before signing a contract.
Learn how to use your system properly. If you continually set off false alarms, your neighbors will ignore
the noise and you could be fined.
BURGLARS CAN TAKE MORE THAN YOUR PROPERTY
Burglars generally don't want to run into their victims, But if they're surprised by someone coming home or
pick a home that's occupied, someone may get hurt.
If you see a screen slit, a window broken, or a door ajar, don't go in. Call the police from a neighbor's
house or a public phone.
If you hear a noise in the night that sounds like someone breaking in or moving around, call the police and
wait for them to come. If you can leave safely, do so. Otherwise lock yourself in a room or, if the intruder is
in the room, pretend to be asleep.
Think carefully before buying a firearm for protection. Firearms can be stolen and sold to anyone, or
captured and used on you or the- police. If you do own a handgun, please call your local Police Department
they will remove the firearm safely.
LOOK BEYOND LOCKS AND ALARMS
Join a Neighborhood Watch group. If one doesn't exist, ask your police department to help you start one.
Look around for things that could contribute to crime - poor street lighting, abandoned cars, vacant lots,
littered playgrounds with broken equipment, homes that elderly owners have trouble maintaining. Help
organize a clean-up/fix-up day.
If your neighbors are ever victims, help out. Offer sympathy and support, and help with meals, repairs or
baby-sitting.
Opening Your Doors to Strangers
Take great care . . . you don't ever have to open the door.
1. Peepholes . . . to see who's there: Wide-angle peepholes are a highly recommended
viewing device because the person outside does not know that you see him/her. If the
peephole is covered, do not open the door.
2. Chain locks … a false sense of safety: Chain locks are not recommended because they
are mounted with short screws and have weak chains.
3. Door wedges really work: A door wedge is a better alternative when you wish to open
your door only a few inches to speak to a stranger. This device is useful for children and
women who are alone at home. It can be found in most hardware stores.
Use Smoke Alarms
Test them regularly and replace batteries when needed.
Copyright © 2006 Metropolitan Security & Investigations All Rights Reserved
