Burglaries, as many other crimes, occur due to an opportunity. The safeguards you take in and round your home is the first level of defense, eliminate or minimize these opportunities.
Burglaries occur at all hours of the day and night, especially during daytime hours, when people are away from home at work, school, or on vacation.
Please keep these safeguards in mind when you leave you home for any length of time:
Keep all doors and windows closed and locked. An open window or door is an opportunity for burglars. Burglars are also quick to spot weak locks that may be easily forced open. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate with three-inch screws.
Secure all sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts. This will prevent burglars from forcing the sliding door open or lifting it off the track.
Make sure all door and windows are locked and secured to a detached garage.
Update locks if necessary.
Alarms Can reduce the amount of time thieves are in your home and help notify your neighbors if there is a problem. If you have an alarm, use it! If you leave to visit a neighbor, make a quick trip to the store, go for a walk or run, or go on vacation…USE IT!
Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways. Large hedges may provide a hiding place for burglars who are attempting to break into a home.
Secure your valuables in a home safe or lock box. MAKE sure the safe or lock box is bolted to the floor.
Apply a personal identification mark on your valuables by engraving or with a permanent marker. Photograph and log the serial number for future reference if needed.
Never leave clues that you are away on vacation. Have a trusted neighbor or family member collect mail and newspapers while you are away so delivered items do not accumulate, or stop their delivery. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place to make it appear that you are present.
Use timers on lights, radios, and TVs to create the illusion that you are home. Making your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, may deter would-be burglars.
Never leave a message on your answering machine advising you are away from home.
Don’t talk about your vacations on social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter while your way.
Consider a vacation patrol request.