When the sun sets early in the winter, the prevalence of home and car burglaries can rise.
As always, if you see something in your neighborhood that looks odd or out of place or just off, don’t hesitate to call the police to check things out.
Here are some tips and reminders for preventing residential burglaries, courtesy of the Township of Washington Police Department.
[slideshow_deploy id=’899′]
• Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.
• Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
• Keep your garage door closed and locked.
• Plan for vacation by having your mail and papers stopped or having a neighbor pick them up.
• Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
• Check locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
• Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
• Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
• Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.
Don’t tempt a thief
• Snow blowers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
• Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
• Use curtains on garage and basement windows.
• Never leave such notes on your door as “gone shopping.”
• If you’re going on vacation, don’t post vacation pictures to your social media accounts until after you return home. Vacant homes are an invitation to break in.
Locks—Get the best
• No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.
• Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
• When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.
Targeting the outside
• Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
• Trim trees and shrubs so that intruders cannot use them as hiding places.
• Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.
Windows and doors
• Use double-locking devices on windows and sliding glass doors.
• Keep doors closed and locked, including your garage doors. An open door is an invitation.
• Even if going around to the back of the house, close your garage door. It only takes a few minutes for someone to break in and take something.
Alarms
• An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.
• Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.
• If you have a home alarm system, use it. Alarm systems are only useful when you remember to activate them.
• Many individuals have alarm systems but do not arm them because it is inconvenient. Many burglars know this and will not be deterred by a window sticker or sign indicating that the home has an alarm system.
If your home is broken into…
If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:
• Do not enter—the perpetrator may still be inside.
• Use a cellphone or a neighbor’s phone to call police.
• Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
• Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
• Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.
[slideshow_deploy id=’899′]
Other precautions
• Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other “secret” hiding places. Burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home — this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters.
• Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
• Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.
• Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Mark your valuables with your driver’s license number with an engraver you can borrow from your precinct. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.
• Form a neighborhood watch group. Police can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.
• Consider installing a burglar alarm system.
Car burglaries
• Do not leave valuables in plain view: (GPS devices, lap tops, cell phones, wallets, purses).
• Do not leave windows or sunroof open.
• Do not leave doors unlocked.
• Do not leave keys in the vehicle.
• Do not leave the garage door opener in plain view.
• Do not leave out items with personal information.
• Do not move valuable items to the trunk while in public view.
• Slow down and use common sense before you leave your car.