Homer Crime Watch

Home Security Checklist

Nov 12, 2005

Use this as a guide as you check your home for safety measures. ?‘No?’ answers indicate areas where you could take action to improve your home?’s security. These are just some steps that you can take to decrease the likelihood that you or your home is targeted for a crime.
EXTERIOR DOORS

YES/NO All doors are locked at night and every time we leave the house, even if it is just for a few minutes.
YES/NO Doors are solid hardwood or metal clad
YES/NO Doors have wide-angle peepholes.
YES/NO Glass panels in or near doors are reinforced so that they cannot be shattered
YES/NO Entry doors have a keyed entry lock and a deadbolt lock
YES/NO Spare keys are kept with a trusted neighbor, not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge or in the mailbox.
GARAGE AND SLIDING DOORS
YES/NO The door leading into the house from the garage is solid wood or metal clad and has a keyed door lock and a deadbolt lock.
YES/NO The garage door has a lock so that we do not rely solely on the automatic opener to provide security.
YES/NO Garage doors are locked when leaving the house.
YES/NO The sliding glass door has a working keyed lock.
YES/NO A dowel or pin has been installed on sliding doors to prevent the door from being lifted off the track or shoved aside..
YES/NO The sliding door is locked at night and each time we leave the house.
WINDOWS
YES/NO All windows have working keyed locks or are securely pinned.

YES/NO Windows are always locked, even when opened for ventilation.

OUTDOOR SECURITY

YES/NO Shrubs and bushes are trimmed so there is no place for someone to hide.

YES/NO There are no dark areas around the house or garage where prowlers can hide.

YES/NO Every outside door has a light to illuminate visitors.

YES/NO Outdoor lights are on at night whether someone is home or not, or motion activated lighting is installed.

YES/NO Our house number is clearly displayed and easily visible at night so emergency vehicles can find our home quickly.

SECURITY WHEN AWAY FROM HOME

YES/NO Timers have been installed to turn various lights on and off while we are away for extended periods.

YES/NO Motion detector or other alarms (if we have one) is activated when we leave home.

YES/NO Mail/Newspaper delivery has been stopped or arrangements made for a friend/neighbor to pick them up while we are away for extended periods.

YES/NO A friend/Neighbor will watch our home, tend the yard, and move vehicles etc. while we are away to give the appearance someone is home.

YES/NO Curtains/blinds are closed so passing strangers cannot window shop.

OUTDOOR VALUABLES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
YES/NO Gates, garage and shed doors are secured with padlocks.

YES/NO Gates, garage and shed doors are locked after every use.

YES/NO Grills, lawn mowers, ATV?’s and other valuables are stored in a locked garage or shed, or are hidden from view with a tarp and securely locked to a stationary point.

YES/NO Bicycles are secured with a U-bar lock or padlock and chain, even if we leave them for just a few minutes.

YES/NO Firearms are stored unloaded and locked in storage boxes and secured with trigger guard locks.

YES/NO Valuable items in and around my home have been permanently inscribed with my drivers license number.

YES/NO I have a written record of all serial numbers, make, model, caliber (for firearms) as well as a photographic record of each item.

YES/NO I have more than one copy of my home inventory that are kept in separate locations (a copy at home, at a trusted friend/neighbor/relatives home, a safe deposit box)