Home Security Tips
Helpful Tips

1. Never leave notes on your door detailing your schedule.
2. Be aware of anyone going door-to-door in the neighborhood. He may being trying to determine who is home during the day. Take a good look, if he senses trouble, he might decide the burglary is too risky.
3. Never leave repairmen or deliverymen in your home unsupervised unless you know them well.
4. Install deadbolts on every exterior door. They are called "dead" because they can't be moved with a card or pick tool like a standard lock.
5. Do not leave messages on your answering machine as to when you will be returning home.
6. Always install peepholes on entry doors to see who is there without opening the door.
7. Trim bushes and trees away from windows and doors to prevent intruders from hiding.
8. Turn outside lights on after dark near doors, on porches, and in your yard. Make sure they are off during the day because that is a dead giveaway.
9. Attach inside lights to timers. Set them to turn on at different times. Bathroom lights on at nighttime will scare off more burglars than any other lights in the house.
10. List and photograph all valuables.
11. Get to know all your adjacent neighbors - agree to watch out for each other's home.
12. If you are going away for an extended period of time, remember to do the following:
    1. Stop mail and paper delivery
    2. Do not leave a phone message that you are out of town
    3. Leave your radio on loud enough to be heard from just outside your door
    4. Alert neighbors to watch your home while you are away

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