Did you know that most burglaries happen between 8 AM and 5 PM, and over 50% of thieves enter the home through an open window or door? Most burglars spend less than 2 minutes trying to enter your home and search for homes that look unoccupied.
So the first thing to do to safeguard your home is to keep doors and windows locked, even if you're only leaving for a few minutes. Here are some helpful tips to keep thieves away:
- Install an alarm system and display the security decals in your windows, or put up a yard sign. The system should have sensors for all doors and windows, and motion sensors for the master bedroom and living room. The reason is that's where thieves will look for cash, jewelry, guns or valuable electronics.
- Install deadbolt locks to your doors. Only leave the keys in the inside lock if your door doesn't have glass as a burglar could break the glass and turn the key. If you install double cylinder locks that require keys on both the inside and outside, be sure to keep the keys where all household members can get to them in case of an emergency.
- Never hide spare keys under your doormat, above the door, in a planter or anywhere near the doors - these are the first places a thief will look. When purchasing a new home, change the locks right away - don't assume the previous owners have given you all their keys. And never have your name and address on your key rings.
- Put timers on lights, the television and stereo and stagger the times to give the appearance that someone is always at home.
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed back around your entries so thieves don't have a place to hide while trying to break in.
- Avoid having valuable items visible through windows from the outside. Have curtains or blinds drawn when you're away, but leave them parted just slightly to give the appearance that someone is home.
- Replace hollow-core doors with a solid door. Door hinges should be on the inside. Sliding glass doors should be secured with a bolt lock to keep them from being slid open or lifted out of the track. Bars on basement and garage windows are also a helpful deterrent.
- If going away for a few days, ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers, or stop delivery until you return home. Leave a car in your driveway, or better yet ask a neighbor to use your driveway while you're away. Arrange to have your lawn mowed or snow shoveled. Have a neighbor put your trash out and collect the empty cans on garbage day as thieves look for all of these as signs of an empty home and easy mark.
- Change the frequency code on a new garage door opener or newly purchased home. Keep your garage door closed and locked, especially if your garage is attached to your house; once inside your garage, thieves have a secluded space and can take their time breaking into your home.
- Exterior house doors should have peepholes installed so you can see who's at the door without opening it. Safety chains aren't strong enough and can be broken with enough force.
- Ask any service people for their ID. If they arrive without an appointment, have them wait outside while you call their office to verify that they are who they say they are.
- Make an effort to meet and get to know your neighbors. Notify the police if you see any suspicious people or vehicles in the area. Join your neighborhood watch program or start one if one doesn't exist in your neighborhood.
