PROTECTING YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY
Exterior Doors
Make sure to lock all doors at night and every time you leave your house -- even if it's for a few minutes.
Make sure doors are solid hardwood or metal-clad.
Make sure doors feature wide-angle peepholes at heights that everyone can use.
If there are glass panels in or near your doors, reinforce them in some way so that they cannot be shattered.
Make sure all entryways have a working, keyed entry lock and sturdy deadbolt lock installed into the frame of the door.
Make sure spare keys are kept with a trusted neighbor, not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge, or in the mailbox.
Make sure the door leading from the attached garage to the house is solid wood or metal-clad and protected with a quality keyed door lock and deadbolt.
Make sure the overhead garage door has a lock so that you do not rely solely on the automatic door opener to provide security.
Make sure garage doors are locked when leaving the house.
Close your garage door when you are not outside to prevent theft of items.
Make sure a sliding glass door has a strong, working key lock.
Secure a sliding glass door with a dowel or pin to prevent the door from being shoved aside or lifted off the track.
Make sure the sliding door is locked every night and each time you leave the house.
Make sure every window in the house has a working key lock or is securely pinned.
Make sure windows are secure, even when they are opened a few inches for ventilation.
Trim shrubs and bushes so there is no place for someone to hide.
Eliminate dark areas around your house, garage, or yard at night that would hide prowlers.
Have a bright, working light near every outside door to illuminate visitors.
Make sure floodlights are used appropriately to ensure effective illumination.
Turn outdoor lights on in the evening, whether someone is at home or not, or have a photocell or motion-sensitive lighting system installed.
Make sure house number is clearly displayed so police and other emergency vehicles can find the house quickly.
When you are away from home for an extended time, have at least two light timers set to turn lights on and off in a logical sequence.
Make sure to activate the motion detector or other alarm system when you leave your house.
When planning on being away for an extended time, stop mail and newspaper deliveries or make arrangements for a neighbor or friend to pick them up.
Ask a neighbor to tend the yard and watch your home while you are away.
Make sure gate latches, garage doors, and shed doors are all locked with high-security, laminated padlocks and make sure to re-lock after use.
Make sure grills, lawn mowers and other valuables are stored in a locked garage or shed, or if left out in the open, are hidden from view with a tarp and as secure as possible.
Secure every bicycle with a U-bar lock or quality padlock and chain. Make sure bikes are locked, even if you are leaving them for just a minute.
Store firearms unloaded and locked in storage boxes and secured with trigger guard locks.
Inscribe valuable items such as televisions, stereos, and computers with identifying numbers approved by local police.
Make sure you have an up-to-date home inventory including pictures. Store a complete copy somewhere other than your home.