How to Keep Your Family Safer and More Secure from Burglary and Fire

Always install quality locks on your doors and windows., To prevent burglars from entering sliding doors, place a pipe or broom handle in the bottom track of the door slide., Many burglaries happen when a house is empty., One of the most intrusive...

22 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Always install quality locks on your doors and windows.

    Window locks that are easily seen from outside may deter thieves because they would have to break the glass and risk attracting attention and cutting themselves climbing through a broken window or glass door.
  2. Step 2: To prevent burglars from entering sliding doors

    The pipe or handle should be almost as long as the track.

    Unless they already have a multi-locking system, sliding patio doors should also be fitted with anti-lift devices with locks on the top and bottom to stop them from being removed from outside. , If you leave your home for an extended period of time, create the illusion that someone is there.

    Use timer switches to turn on lights, radios and other appliances.

    If you're going on a trip, cancel any mail or newspaper deliveries.

    And, if you can, get a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home.

    Ask them to collect your mail and draw your curtains at night and open them in the mornings to make your home look lived-in. , Protect yourself against this by fitting a door chain or bar and door viewer (spy-hole), and use them. , Burglars have experience and know exactly where to look.

    Find an uncommon place to hide the keys or give a set to a someone that you can really trust, such as a friend or neighbor. ,,, Check to make sure all of your doors and windows are locked, that candles and fires are completely extinguished and that any potentially hazardous appliances are turned off and unplugged. ,,, If other people can see your property a burglar may think twice. , A burglar could use them to get into your house. , Make sure your car keys are inaccessible and, if you have a garage, keep your car in it rather than in the driveway. ,
  3. Step 3: place a pipe or broom handle in the bottom track of the door slide.

  4. Step 4: Many burglaries happen when a house is empty.

  5. Step 5: One of the most intrusive and dangerous forms of burglary occurs when somebody pretends to be a legitimate worker

  6. Step 6: for example from a utility company

  7. Step 7: and tricks their way into homes.

  8. Step 8: Don't leave spare keys under doormats

  9. Step 9: potted plants or any other obvious outdoor location.

  10. Step 10: Always keep your garage doors closed

  11. Step 11: even when you are home.

  12. Step 12: When you go out in the evening

  13. Step 13: leave your lights on and shut the curtains.

  14. Step 14: Develop the habit of performing a security review before leaving your home.

  15. Step 15: Don't leave notes for service people or family members on the front door

  16. Step 16: mailbox or garage as these are green lights to potential burglars that you are not home.

  17. Step 17: Ensure that your street address is clearly visible so that responding emergency personnel can easily identify your home.

  18. Step 18: Install exterior security lighting to keep your home well lit on the outside.

  19. Step 19: Keep your tools and ladders out of sight and securely locked up.

  20. Step 20: Increasingly

  21. Step 21: burglars are breaking in to steal expensive cars.

  22. Step 22: Don't leave empty boxes of new purchases outside your home that indicate new and valuable equipment that may be attractive to a potential burglar.

Detailed Guide

Window locks that are easily seen from outside may deter thieves because they would have to break the glass and risk attracting attention and cutting themselves climbing through a broken window or glass door.

The pipe or handle should be almost as long as the track.

Unless they already have a multi-locking system, sliding patio doors should also be fitted with anti-lift devices with locks on the top and bottom to stop them from being removed from outside. , If you leave your home for an extended period of time, create the illusion that someone is there.

Use timer switches to turn on lights, radios and other appliances.

If you're going on a trip, cancel any mail or newspaper deliveries.

And, if you can, get a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home.

Ask them to collect your mail and draw your curtains at night and open them in the mornings to make your home look lived-in. , Protect yourself against this by fitting a door chain or bar and door viewer (spy-hole), and use them. , Burglars have experience and know exactly where to look.

Find an uncommon place to hide the keys or give a set to a someone that you can really trust, such as a friend or neighbor. ,,, Check to make sure all of your doors and windows are locked, that candles and fires are completely extinguished and that any potentially hazardous appliances are turned off and unplugged. ,,, If other people can see your property a burglar may think twice. , A burglar could use them to get into your house. , Make sure your car keys are inaccessible and, if you have a garage, keep your car in it rather than in the driveway. ,

About the Author

P

Patrick Bishop

Creates helpful guides on home improvement to inspire and educate readers.

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