Hawkeyes Neighborhood Watch

Burglary Prevention Tips for House and Garage from MPD

House

1. Keep the entry doors and windows locked at all times.

2. Invest in steel doors or solid core doors.

3. Entry doors should be secured with a dead bolt lock--the bolt should be at least three inches long.

4.The strike plate should be secured with three inch screws.

5. Insert a pin or screw above all first floor window sashes to prevent window from being forced open--basement windows should be secured with nails, grates or glass blocked.

6. Your house should always look occupied--put lights on timers, leave a radio or TV on, keep a car in the driveway, pick up the daily mail and newspaper.

7. Participate in Operation ID--mark your property with your driver's license number.

8. Keep TV's and computers away from open windows.

9. Turn on your porch lights.

10. Install dusk to dawn or motion lights in your back yard, along the driveway or rear of house.