Safety Tips

You must be aware of the potential risk of crime in your home in order to prevent it. Remember that the key factor in most crimes is opportunity. If they cannot get at it, they cannot take it. Follow a regular plan of home security to deter the potential burglar or other intruder.

Lights

• Use a timer or photo electric cell that automatically turns a living room light on at dusk, particularly if you are going to be away at that time

Noise

• Leave a radio on with the volume turned low when leaving home, even for short periods.
• Hook your stereo or radio into the motion detector light system, sudden noise works!

Locks

• Always close and lock garage doors
• Lock up all ladders, ropes, or tools that could help a burglar gain entry
• Install new locks when moving into an apartment or previously owned home
• Keep extra keys out of sight and in a safe place; Never hide a key outside; Most hiding places are obvious to burglars
• Never leave doors or windows unlocked when leaving home

Security

• Secure all obvious (and not so obvious) points of entry to your home. Pretend you are the burglar ... stand outside your home and plan how you would get in; Then install secure locks on all doors and windows
• Secure the automatic garage door transmitter in glove compartment of your car
• Avoid displaying valuable items near windows with open drapes or shades
• Start a "buddy system" with your neighbors in order to watch each other's homes, watch for "movers" or "repair people" at a house where no one is home
• Display only your last name on your mailbox or nameplate

Appearance

• Keep all shrubbery trimmed near your doors and windows, don't provide concealment or climbing platforms for the burglar
• Brightly illuminate all entrances, preferably with vandal-proof fixtures
• Keep your grass cut, your leaves raked, etc. to indicate a well cared for and occupied home
• Empty your mailbox or arrange to have it emptied as soon as mail is delivered

Securing Your Home When Leaving Home for Several Days

• Don't cancel your paper or mail deliveries; ask a trusted neighbor to pick the mail up every day
• Leave a key with a trusted friend or neighbor; ask that the house be checked periodically
• Have the drapes periodically opened and closed and have different lights turned on and off so the house appears occupied; Store all your valuables
• Consider asking trusted friends or relatives to live in your home while you are away
• Leave a car in the driveway, or ask neighbors to park in it
• Ask your neighbor to put some trash in your trash cans and set it at the curb at the appropriate time

Despite precautions, if intruders are determined to enter and burglarize your home, they can probably do so. However, burglars usually seek the easiest target, and you can take steps to make your home less vulnerable.

Telephone Security

• Never give your personal information (name, age, address, etc.) to a stranger on the telephone.
• Never let a stranger on the telephone know when you will or will not be home.
• Never let a stranger on the telephone know you are home alone, especially if your are a woman. Instruct babysitters never to tell anyone who calls that they are home alone with children.
• Teach children old enough to be left alone never to tell a stranger who telephones that parents are gone. Teach them to say, "My mom can't come to the phone now. May I take a message?"
• Do not give out a credit card or social security number to someone whom you do not know or whom you did not call.

Telephone Security When Planning a Trip

• Consider having your telephone "put on vacation." (Notify the telephone company approximately two weeks before your vacation or trip, and arrangements will be made for an operator or a recording to state that your telephone is temporarily out of order each time it rings);
• Use "call forwarding" if available in your area. (Call forwarding can give callers the impression that residents are home when they are actually away, by transferring your incoming calls to another telephone number. Your local phone company can provide you with further information.)

What If Confronted By An Intruder

Develop the habit of surveying your home each time you approach it. If you notice evidence that someone has broken in, DO NOT ENTER. GO TO THE NEAREST TELEPHONE AND CALL 911.

Should you confront a burglar, the very first rule is: GET OUT OF HIS WAY! Never get between a burglar and the exit, and never try to stop him. It may cost you your life.

If you are in your home and someone is prowling outside, make it appear that several people are at home. For example, call to someone, "Dan, there's something outside." Call the Sheriff's Office; and if it is dark, turn on the lights.

If an intruder has already broken in, retreat and put other doors between the two of you. It is a good idea to have a deadbolt on an interior door.

If you cannot get out, try to signal a neighbor by throwing something through a window; just noise can frighten a burglar away.

If someone should enter your bedroom while you are in bed, pretend that you are asleep as long as he does not come near you.

If the intruder is armed, do what he says, and see that the children do so as well. Remain calm-- intruders generally want your property rather than your life.

Memorize a description of the intruder and when it is safe to so, call 911 immediately.