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Security TIPS
 

No one likes to think about crime, especially when it comes to your home and neighborhood. No matter where you live, your income, or lifestyle, crime is a fact of life. That doesn't mean you're defenseless. Put these tips into action along with a Turner Security monitoring package and your home and neighborhood will be safer and more secure.

 

FRONT ENTRANCE:

1.Is your front door metal or solid wood construction?

2.Are door hinges protected from removal from the outside?

3.Is the door frame strong enough and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading?

4.Are there at least two locking devices on the door?

5.Are the locks adequate and in good repair?

6.Is the front porch area adequately lit?

7.Peepholes with magnifying lenses let you see who's at your door - without opening it.

 

ENTRANCES FROM GARAGE AND BASEMENT:

1.Are all entrances into your home protected by metal or solid wood doors?

2.Are all entrances into your home protected by at least two locking devices?

3.Do you remember to lock these entrances when not in use?

4.Are you aware that these entrances can be the most vulnerable to a break-in?

5.Secure sliding glass doors with dowels, a broomstick or locks that prevent the door from sliding on its track. Pins in the frame prevent the door from being lifted out of place.

 

GARAGE DOORS:

1.Is your garage door kept closed and locked when you are not inside it?

2.Are tools and other inviting items kept out of an area easily viewed by passerby?

3.Do you keep your vehicle locked when parked in the garage?

4.Are you aware that many residential burglaries occur in open & unattended garages?

 

LANDSCAPING:

1.Is your landscaping neatly trimmed offering no "hiding" areas?

2.Prune shrubs to keep them from concealing doors or windows.

3.Are your trees trimmed away from upstairs windows?

4.Do you make effective use of "barrier" plants and shrubs?

5.Are you careful not to leave an extra house key under any potted plant or rock?

 

LIGHTING:

1.Are all points of entry into your home well lit?

2.Do you utilize timed or motion sensitive lighting?

3.Have you ever stood outside your home in the darkness and looked for dark & vulnerable spots?

4.Keep your home or office exterior brightly lit at night.  Replace burned-out exterior lights immediately.

 

ADDRESS DISPLAY:

1.Is your address adequately displayed according to applicable city/county ordinances?

2.Do you have rooftop numbering to assist the police helicopter in finding your home?

3.Place you house number near the front door and preferably near a light. Also place house numbers in alleys or on back fence when the area is accessible. Only put your last name on a mailbox or door sign. Never put "Ms." or your first name.

 

NEW PROPERTY:

1.Re-key locks when you move into a new home.

2.Get to know your neighbors and be alert for suspicious activity.

3.Join a neighborhood watch group if available.

 

LEAVING TOWN:

1.Notify dependable neighbors that you will be going away on vacation.

2.Have a neighbor or friend pick up the mail and newspapers while you are gone.

3.When traveling, use timers to turn on lights at night.

4.Leave a radio or TV on to make it sound as if someone is at home.

5.Park an additional car in your driveway or ask a neighbor to park there. It gives the appearance that someone's always home and prevents burglars from backing a van into the drive for easy loading.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1.Don't assume daylight prevents burglaries. Many occur during the day when burglars know people are at work.

2.Lock up as a matter of routine.

3.Dog(s) barking dog is proven to be a deterrent.

4.Ask local police to do a home security check.

5.Avoid keeping large amounts of cash on-hand at your office or your home.

6.Signs "Beware of Dog", "Neighborhood Watch", "Operation I.D." or home alarm signs might help to deter potential burglars.

7.Never hide a key outside your business or residence.

8.Don’t be predictable with the patterns you establish when leaving or returning to your home or business

9.Never leave your keys in obvious places, such as under door mats or in mailboxes where a thief may look for them.

10.Never leave notes on your door, even when you're at home.

 

PROACTIVE:

1.Prepare in advance for a possible loss by taking an inventory of your property. Maintain a list of all valuable items, the date of purchase and the original price. Make it a practice to record serial numbers and save purchase receipts. Take photographs or videotape your personal belongings. Keep your inventory or videotape in a place where it will protected from fire or theft.

 

2.Secondary internal barrier security closet if you have valuable items such as silverware, guns, jewels or cameras, consider a secondary barrier. Install a solid core door with a 1" dead bolt on a closet. Store your valuables in this closet. Be sure to pin the hinges. Keep the burglar away from this vital target with an alarm. Keep coin and stamp collections in a safe deposit box at the bank.

 

3.Permanently mark your valuables to make it easier for the police to return them to you if they are stolen. Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers with a state abbreviation work best. Keep a record of marked objects.

 

We suggest you also contact your local police or your neighborhood watch group for more safety tips.

 

  Crime Prevention Tips: