Keep Your Home Safer From Crime

Exterior Doors:

• All exterior doors should be either metal or solid wood with strong hinges with non-removable or hidden pins
• Strong, reliable locks are essential to effective home security. [Always keep doors and windows locked even for a five minute trip to wherever]
• Use deadbolts as well as keyed knobs
• Sliding glass doors should have a piece of wood in the track to prevent from being opened even if the lock is jimmied or removed.

Garage Door:

• Secure garage door with adequate locking device
• Lock away all tools and ladders

Windows:

• Do not rely on thumb turned lock between the window panels. Install keyed locking devices.

Upper floor:

• Secure as adequately as if they are at ground level

Basement:

• Be sure no entry available

Lighting:
Indoor:

• Leave lights on when you are not home. [Automatic timers work well if going away for a while]

Outdoor:

• Outdoor lighting can eliminate hiding places. Install exterior lighting near porches, rear and side doorways or any entry point. Aim some away from house, and out of reach so light cannot be broken or bulb removed.

Shrubs and Landscaping:

• Trim shrubbery that could conceal criminal activity. Landscaping should provide maximum visibility to and from house.
• Cut back tree limbs and keep fencing low enough too avoid giving criminals places to hide.
• Remove ladders from visible sight