Home Safety

General Tips

• Ensure exterior lights illuminate all entrances to your home.

• Keep shrubbery trimmed so a burglar can't hide near windows and doors

• Keep garage doors closed and locked at all times

• Use exterior doors made of solid core construction (including door leading from the garage to the house)

• Have sliding glass doors secured with auxiliary locks or pinned, and put screws in the track to prevent removal of doors

• Secure windows with auxiliary keyed locks or fasten with a nail

• Keep doors locked at all times

• Mark your valuables with an identifying number and have a record of them with a complete serial number, make and model

• Always leave your headlights on when arriving home after dark until you have unlocked the garage door

• When coming home by private auto or taxi, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside

• Have the door key in your hand so you can open the door immediately when you return home

• When moving into a new apartment or residence, ALWAYS have the locks re-keyed, or changed

• Know who is at your door before opening it

• Wide angle door viewers (180 degrees / 190 degrees) enable you to identify the visitor. You can see the person that person can't see you

• Don't be afraid to ask for identification

• Never let strangers into your home to use the telephone. Make the call for them while they wait outside

• Leave at least one light on -- inside and out when you're away

• Always leave outside lights on after dark, or use motion lights

• In an apartment building, NEVER be alone in the laundry room

• If you suspect that someone is in your house, do not go in. Use your cell phone or go to a neighbor and call the police

• If you see or hear anything suspicious, call the police

• At home, do not display all your valuables where they can be seen from a window or doorway.

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Locks

• Buy high-quality dead-bolt locks -- and use them!

• Secure exterior doors with a deadbolt lock (single or double cylinder) with a minimum 1-inch throw

• Be sure any door and window locks can be opened quickly if there is a fire.

• Never rely on chain locks. They are a privacy lock, but not a security lock.

• Never dress in front of windows, always close your drapes.

• Never let anyone into your home without proper identification.

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Unwanted Calls

• Don't give out personal information such as your name, address, social security number, or credit card numbers.

• If you have an answering machine, use it to screen unwanted calls

• Notify the police of threatening or harassing calls

• If you receive a wrong number phone call, don't give out your name or phone number

• If you receive an obscene phone call, hang up and call the police.

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Neighborhood Friends

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• Watch other houses or apartments, and let your neighbors know of anything suspicious.

• Offer your phone to neighbors for emergency use, and use theirs when necessary

• Keep in touch with your neighbors.

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Think Someone is in Your Home?

• Don't go in! Call the police from a nearby phone.

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Alarm Purchasing Guidelines

When shopping for a burglary alarm system, use the guidelines below to evaluate your purchase:

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• Is the company a member of any local business organization? Check with the local Consumer Affairs Office or Better Business Bureau to see if there are any problems with this company

• What is the alarm background of the company's installation personnel?

• Does the company offer 24-hour service in case of false alarms?

• Will the company work with you in getting reduced insurance premiums if you install one of their systems?

• Is there a warranty or maintenance contract for the system?

• Is the system electrically or battery operated? If electrically operated, does it switch automatically to battery power without activating the alarm in the event of a power failure?

• If the alarm system is activated, will it automatically shut off after a reasonable alert period (10 - 15 minutes)?

• After the alarm system is activated, will it automatically reset if attacked again?

• If the control switch or box is exposed, will it enable the alert if attacked?

• If it is a hardwired system (wires connecting to a sensor to control to alert), are the wire protected from attack and unnecessary wear by the elements?

• If it is a local system (audible to the immediate area); does it ring loud enough to attract the attention of your neighbors?

• If the system is for commercial premise, will the company have someone respond to the location to assist the police by opening the building?

• Does the system have a time delay, if appropriate, to activate and deactivate the alarm system without setting off the alert?

• If a central station monitors the system, it is a tape recording or person? (In some municipalities, the call for assistance to the police cannot be made by a taped message)

• Is the system Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (U.L.) approved?