Crime prevention tips from Sheriff Andrews to help you reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

House crime prevention tips

Clearly display your house number for emergency personnel to locate your home quickly.
Keep emergency numbers accessible.
Lock all windows when leaving and at night.
Install motion sensors or photoelectric lights outside.
Install a monitored security alarm system.
Trim plants and tree limbs close to your house.
Plant prickly shrubs under windows.
Do not leave keys outdoors (or hide under doormat).
If keys are lost, change all locks.
Do not advertise a garage sale as a "moving sale".
Repair window glass and door or window locks.

Personal Safety Tips

Do not let strangers in to use the bathroom or phone.
Stamp "Do Not Duplicate" on your keys.
Keep house keys on a separate key ring.
Lend keys only to trusted people.
When parking in a commercial garage, leave only the ignition key with the attendant and remove your garage door opener.
If living alone, use your first initial in telephone directory and on your mailbox or buzzer.
Insure your possessions.
Mark your valuable items. Engrave your driver's license or initials and date of birth on items without serial numbers.
Store valuables in inconspicuous hiding places.
Do not keep jewelry in your bedroom or in the cookie jar.
Keep emergency (and neighbors') telephone numbers handy.
Do not keep large sums of money in your house.
Do not answer telephone inquiries or respond to mail questionnaires about your type of home, alarm system, or daytime occupancy.

Vehicle Tips

Door and Window Tips

Change door locks when moving into a new location.
Install a wide-angle peephole. Use it before opening the door.
Install quality exterior doors (solid wood, steel reinforced).
Install door locks with pick-resistant cylinders of heavy-duty deadbolt locks.
Replace exterior door hinges with interior hinges or change hinges to the non-removable type.
Replace a standard strike plate with an extended strike plate, using hardened screws 2"-3" long.
Secure sliding glass doors with a steel rod or wooden dowel in the track.
Install heavy-duty screws and a keyed locking device in a sliding door frame or sliding windows.
Do not use door chains. A floor-mounted retractable door stop is more effective.
Install a heavy-duty "hook and eye" on the upper part of a storm door
Replace sheet or plate glass with tempered or safety laminated glass.
Install key locks or window pegs on window sashes.
Firmly secure air conditioners to the windows.
Install metal grates or grills on cellar and ground level windows.

Garage, Sheds, Outside

Always close and lock garage doors. Use cane bolts or hasps or install heavy-duty padlocks with hardened shackle and a heavy steel body.
Secure machinery, lawn furniture, ladders, and tools inside.
Secure extension ladders with chain and padlock.
File off the stamped key number on the bottom of padlock casing so no one can duplicate keys.
Place garden trellises away from second-floor access.

Vacation

Create an occupied, lived-in appearance in your home when you're away.
Transfer valuables to a safe deposit vault.
Turn your telephone ringer down.
Do not leave notes on your door or messages on your answering machine indicating the time you will return.
Move valuable items away from windows.
Place a "neighborhood watch" sticker on your door or window.
Do not put your home address on luggage tags. Use a business address.
Leave your vehicle or have a neighbor's vehicle parked in your driveway. Have it moved periodically.
Lock all windows, screens, storm windows, sheds, and gates.
Leave shades and blinds partially open. The house will look "lived in" and it will also allow your neighbor and police to check inside.
Put lights and a radio on automatic timers. If power goes out, have a neighbor re-set timers.
Make arrangements for someone to collect your mail and deliveries, mow the lawn.
Set self-timers on lights in various rooms.
Have your neighbor put some trash out in your section on trash day.
Continue with snow removal. Have neighbor make tracks in the snow to show normal activity around your house.

Posted: 03/08/2009