Country Club Historic Neighborhood

Safety Tips

Profile of a Burglar
Burglars come from every economic, social, educational and racial background; often they are juveniles. They usually strike during the day, preferably when it's rainy or cloudy. Most burglars are unskilled criminals who randomly select their victims when the opportunity presents itself. They cruise neighborhoods looking for signs of empty houses and easy targets.

How Not to Be a Target
Some things to think about:
Look at the exterior of your house from a potential perpetrator's point of view. Burglars won't go out of their way to break into your home. If the task seems too difficult, they'll just pick another victim.

Lighting
Outside, light up all sides of the house and garage. Motion detector lights are especially good. Inside, always leave at least one light on. Use a timer if you won't be home. Also, leave shades and curtains in different positions when not at home to give a lived-in appearance.

Shrubbery
Bushes around windows shouldn't be higher than 30 inches. Also, having rose bushes or other thorny plants below windows and next to fences make for very undesirable hiding places.

Locks, Keys, Doors & Windows
Always lock doors and windows. Install new locks in a home or apartment when moving in, even if it's a newly built home.

Always separate car and house keys when you leave your car on a lot or in a garage where keys must be left. Don't give keys to workmen regardless of how long they'll be working in your home. Never leave keys under mats, in the mailbox or on a ledge above your door. Burglars know all the hiding places.

Be sure that your front and back doors are solid wood or steel and are at least 1 3/4 inch thick. Doors without glass are safest, but if you do have a door with glass, be sure the lock is at least 40 inches from the glass and that there is a deadbolt that extends at least an inch into the door frame. You should also install a wide-angle door viewer, or peephole, that allows you to see callers before opening the door.

Finally:

• Look Like You're Home Even When You're Not
• Don't leave ladders outside; they are perfect devices for entry.
• Don't leave rugs, laundry, tools and other items outside overnight.
• Don't keep stocks, bonds, coin collections and other valuable in your home; put them in a safe deposit box at your bank.
• Mark valuables for identification. The Operation Identification program has been developed by police to assist people in marking their property. Call your local police department for details.
• Don't install a "doggie door" in doors leading to the outside or into the garage; they can become "burglar doors."
• When not at home, don't leave a note saying when you'll return.
• Change your routine often! Some burglars study a victim's patterns before striking