10 tips for a safer home
2 Sliding Doors
Secure sliding glass doors place a metal rod or a piece of plywood in the doors track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track.
3 Indoor Ligthing
Place timer on indoor lamps and appliances to light up your home at night. Set timers to turn on radios and televisions randomly during the day. Try a variable timer with two on/off settings per day. Before you leave for your holiday, check that all light bulbs are working properly.
Keep the perimeter of your home well lighted. Install low voltage or solar lighting around porches, decks, entrances, walkways, pathways and other dark outdoor areas. Before you leave make sure that all light bulbs are working properly.
Stop mail and newspaper deliveries or have a trusted neighbor collect them while you are away so that they don’t accumulate. Ask your neighbor to also remove any advertising flyers that are deposited in your mailbox or around your door, driveway or lawn
As tempting as it sounds, never hide keys under doormats or in mailboxes or flowerpots. Give an extra key to a trusted neighbor and ask them to check your home and water the plants regularly while you’re away.
Keep some of your shades and blinds up and your curtains open to maintain a normal, everyday appearance in your home.
Never leaves a message on your voice mail or telephone answering machine telling people that you’re away from home.
9 Landscaping
Keep shrubbery trimmed and away from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate may be beautiful they also provide a hiding place for burglars.Arrange to have someone care for your lawn or garden while you’re away so your house doesn’t look empty.
10 Locks
No matter where you live, ground floor windows need secure that balcony,patio and fire exits are equipped with sturdy doors and secure locks
