Home Security Tips
Exterior Doors:
- Exterior doors should have quality deadbolt locks with no less than a 1″ throw
- All latch-strike plates on your doors should be secured with at least 3″ screws
- All exterior doors should be solid hardwood or metal-clad
- Exterior doors should have wide-angled peepholes at heights everyone can use or a voice intercom system
- Your doorframe should be strong enough and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading
- Door hinges should be protected from removal from the outside
- Locks should not be able to be reached through a mail slot, delivery port, or pet entrance
- Install storm and screen doors with adequate locks if you like to leave your front door open during the day
- Change the locks whenever you move into a new home
- Do not place spare keys under a doormat, in a planter, on a ledge, or in the mailbox. Give them to a trusted neighbor.
- Be sure to trim your landscaping so that it does not block the view of entry ways into your home from the street or public areas
- Exterior entrances should be lighted properly
- Be sure to always lock your doors when you are home and every time you leave your residence
Sliding Glass Doors:
- Make sure your sliding panel is secured from being removed from the track
- Your sliding glass door should have at least one of the following:
- Track lock
- Insertion pin lock
- Hinged door bar
- Metal or wooden dowel in track
Garage Doors:
- The door from your garage to your living quarters should have locks that are sufficient for an exterior door, because this door is also an entry/exit door for your security system
- The door from the garage to your living quarters should be made of metal or solid wood
- If your overhead garage door is equipped with an automatic opener make sure it uses a “rolling code” to deter “code grabbers”
- Overhead garage doors should be kept closed and locked at all times
- To avoid leaving your overhead garage door open, a remote door position indicator can be installed in the interior of your home to show you that your garage door is either open or closed
Windows:
- Windows should be secured with auxiliary keyed window locks
- Have your auxiliary window locks installed to allow ventilation while remaining locked
- Keep the keys readily available for emergencies
- If you don’t have auxiliary locks make sure your windows are secured by pins, nails, or dowels
- Windows should have screens or storm windows that lock from the inside
- Sliding windows should have a dowel in the track to avoid being pried open
- Basement windows should have a second lock or be covered with a grate or grille
- Always leave one opening as fire exit
- Place security bars around windows with portable air condition units
- Trees and shrubbery should be kept trimmed back from upper floor windows
- Ladders should be stored where an intruder cannot access them
- Replace or repair any broken window as soon as possible
- Always make sure all windows are securely closed and locked, even if you are just leaving for a few minutes
Outdoor Security:
- Keep areas around your house, garage,or yard lit at night
- Outside entrances should have a bright, working light to illuminate visitors
- Motion sensors are a great way to control your exterior lighting
- Your house number should be clearly displayed and at least 4″ tall with a contrasting background on post near your street and/or on your home
- Use big, bold numbers on your mailbox
- Never put your name on your mailbox
- All outdoor storage sheds, pool houses, or other exterior buildings should be kept locked
- Bicycles, grills, and other valuables should be locked away or locked to a stationary point
- Fence and gate latches should be kept locked by a weatherproof padlock
- All vehicles should be kept locked and windows shut
- Plant prickly or thorny shrubbery near windows to discourage loitering or hiding
- If you travel often or spend a lot of time in your backyard, consider having a surveillance camera system installed to monitor the exterior of your home
- Displaying alarm company signs, neighborhood watch signs, or dog decals on windows or in your yard can be a deterrent for burglars
Intrior Security:
- Use automatic timers for lights
- Always arm your security system
- Keep window shades and blinds closed when you are not at home
- When answering your door make sure you know who it is before opening the door
- When recording your answering machine message make sure not give out your name, any times you may not be home, or any unnecessary information
- Keep an up-to-date inventory of the valuables inside your home. Your records should include makes, models, serial numbers, photographs, and videos (Do not keep these records in your home – secure them in a safety deposit box)
- Engrave your driver’s license number (not your social security number) on valuable items that could be stolen
- Use a fire rated safe or safety deposit box for valuable items and paperwork
While on Vacation:
- Do yard work before you leave
- Discontinue mail and newspaper service when away for an extended period of time
- Arrange for a friend or neighbor to come by and check on your home
- Do not leave a message on your answering machine letting callers know you are away
- Leave a radio on and tuned to a talk-radio station
- Set at least two timers to turn the lights on and off in a logical sequence
- Set a timer for your television or radio to allude that someone is home
- Leave a vehicle in your driveway or ask a neighbor to park at your house
Your Alarm System:
- Always use your system
- Be cautious about who you give your alarm codes and keyfobs to
- Since many people are desensitized to sirens and alarms, make sure your alarm is connected to a central station where authorities can be dispatched if needed
- In case your telephone service is disrupted, a back-up cellular connection is an important added security measure for alarms connected to central stations
- Be sure to test your system weekly and have your alarm company service your system on an annual basis
Exterior Doors:
- Exterior doors should have quality deadbolt locks with no less than a 1″ throw
- All latch-strike plates on your doors should be secured with at least 3″ screws
- All exterior doors should be solid hardwood or metal-clad
- Exterior doors should have wide-angled peepholes at heights everyone can use or a voice intercom system
- Your doorframe should be strong enough and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading
- Door hinges should be protected from removal from the outside
- Locks should not be able to be reached through a mail slot, delivery port, or pet entrance
- Install storm and screen doors with adequate locks if you like to leave your front door open during the day
- Change the locks whenever you move into a new home
- Do not place spare keys under a doormat, in a planter, on a ledge, or in the mailbox. Give them to a trusted neighbor.
- Be sure to trim your landscaping so that it does not block the view of entry ways into your home from the street or public areas
- Exterior entrances should be lighted properly
- Be sure to always lock your doors when you are home and every time you leave your residence
Sliding Glass Doors:
- Make sure your sliding panel is secured from being removed from the track
- Your sliding glass door should have at least one of the following:
- Track lock
- Insertion pin lock
- Hinged door bar
- Metal or wooden dowel in track
Garage Doors:
- The door from your garage to your living quarters should have locks that are sufficient for an exterior door, because this door is also an entry/exit door for your security system
- The door from the garage to your living quarters should be made of metal or solid wood
- If your overhead garage door is equipped with an automatic opener make sure it uses a “rolling code” to deter “code grabbers”
- Overhead garage doors should be kept closed and locked at all times
- To avoid leaving your overhead garage door open, a remote door position indicator can be installed in the interior of your home to show you that your garage door is either open or closed
Windows:
- Windows should be secured with auxiliary keyed window locks
- Have your auxiliary window locks installed to allow ventilation while remaining locked
- Keep the keys readily available for emergencies
- If you don’t have auxiliary locks make sure your windows are secured by pins, nails, or dowels
- Windows should have screens or storm windows that lock from the inside
- Sliding windows should have a dowel in the track to avoid being pried open
- Basement windows should have a second lock or be covered with a grate or grille
- Always leave one opening as fire exit
- Place security bars around windows with portable air condition units
- Trees and shrubbery should be kept trimmed back from upper floor windows
- Ladders should be stored where an intruder cannot access them
- Replace or repair any broken window as soon as possible
- Always make sure all windows are securely closed and locked, even if you are just leaving for a few minutes
Outdoor Security:
- Keep areas around your house, garage,or yard lit at night
- Outside entrances should have a bright, working light to illuminate visitors
- Motion sensors are a great way to control your exterior lighting
- Your house number should be clearly displayed and at least 4″ tall with a contrasting background on post near your street and/or on your home
- Use big, bold numbers on your mailbox
- Never put your name on your mailbox
- All outdoor storage sheds, pool houses, or other exterior buildings should be kept locked
- Bicycles, grills, and other valuables should be locked away or locked to a stationary point
- Fence and gate latches should be kept locked by a weatherproof padlock
- All vehicles should be kept locked and windows shut
- Plant prickly or thorny shrubbery near windows to discourage loitering or hiding
- If you travel often or spend a lot of time in your backyard, consider having a surveillance camera system installed to monitor the exterior of your home
- Displaying alarm company signs, neighborhood watch signs, or dog decals on windows or in your yard can be a deterrent for burglars
Interior Security:
- Use automatic timers for lights
- Always arm your security system
- Keep window shades and blinds closed when you are not at home
- When answering your door make sure you know who it is before opening the door
- When recording your answering machine message make sure not give out your name, any times you may not be home, or any unnecessary information
- Keep an up-to-date inventory of the valuables inside your home. Your records should include makes, models, serial numbers, photographs, and videos (Do not keep these records in your home – secure them in a safety deposit box)
- Engrave your driver’s license number (not your social security number) on valuable items that could be stolen
- Use a fire rated safe or safety deposit box for valuable items and paperwork
While on Vacation:
- Do hard work before you leave
- Discontinue mail and newspaper service when away for an extended period of time.
- Arrange for a friend or neighbor to come by and check on your home
- Do not leave a message on your answering machine letting callers know you are away
- Leave a radio on and tuned to a talk-radio station
- Set at least two timers to turn the lights on and off in a logical sequence
- Set a timer for your television or radio to allude that someone is home
- Leave a vehicle in your driveway or ask a neighbor to park at your house
Your Alarm System:
- Always use your system
- Be cautious about who you give your alarm codes and keyfobs to
- Since many people are desensitized to sirens and alarms, make sure your alarm is connected to a central station where authorities can be dispatched if needed
- In case your telephone service is disrupted, a back-up cellular connection is an important added security measure for alarms connected to central stations
- Be sure to test your system weekly and have your alarm company service your system on an annual basis
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