Home Burglary Prevention Tips
Burglaries cost residents over 1.3 million per year in loss of property alone. Often burglaries are committed by individuals who take advantage of easy targets. Don't make it easy for them.
Click read more for tips!
Burglaries cost residents over 1.3 million per year in loss of property alone. Often burglaries are committed by individuals who take advantage of easy targets. Don't make it easy for them.
Click read more for tips!
1. Install a deadbolt lock.
Deadbolts are usually locked with a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. The cylinder should be pick resistant. Lock your doors every time you leave the house, even if you're leaving for just a few minutes during the day. The most popular times for residential burglaries are weekday daylight hours. In over 1/3 of burglaries, there is no forcible entry--someone forgot to lock the doors.
2. Install solid doors.
Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood and at least 1 3/4 inches thick. Frames must be made of equally strong material and each door must fit its frame securely.
3. Keep garage doors closed and locked.
Open doors and windows are commonly checked by burglars looking for an opportunity. Do not leave your garage door opener on your sun visor. Burglars can gain easy access to your garage and possibly your house by using your automatic garage door opener.
4. Secure sliding doors and windows.
Cut a broom-handle to the length of the bottom track so that the window or door will not slide open when forced. Also, drill one hole through both casings and sliding window and insert a nail or pin.
5. Secure sash windows.
To prevent wooden sash windows from being pried open, drill a downward sloping hole into the top of the bottom window through and into the bottom of the top window and insert a pin or nail. To prevent aluminum sash windows from being broken into, purchase a track lock that blocks the window track.
6. Mark your property.
Mark your valuables with an engraver,. Markers and pen marks can easily be washed off. Marking your property serves as a deterrent to would-be burglars and it helps police in identifying and returning stolen property. A driver’s license number is a good mark to put on items as it is a unique number and it can be checked against DMV records which makes it easier to locate an item’s owner.
7. Write down serial and model numbers
Write down the model and serial numbers to all of your valuables. If possible also take photos of your items; this comes in handy in case of any type of loss, especially in dealing with insurance companies. Many times items are recovered and cannot be returned because they cannot be sufficiently identified. This list should be kept in a safe location, preferably online by using any of various free or low cost file storage solutions. DO NOT keep the list on your hard drive because your computer might also get stolen.
8. Purchase a burglar alarm.
A home alarm system can be a very effective burglary deterrent and fit into many people's needs. Remember to test your system monthly.
9. Leave a light on.
When leaving on trips, leave a light on in the bathroom. In the bedroom, attach a lamp and radio to a 24-hour electric timer set to go on at dusk and off at your bedtime. Close bedroom drapes or blinds.
10. Use proper exterior lighting.
Place a light over every door. Double spot lights on each corner of the house will also light up windows.
11. Work together with your neighbors.
When you are going to be away, tell trusted neighbors and ask them to watch your property. Have neighbors maintain your yard. When on vacation, have someone cut grass. Shrubbery should not hide neighbors' view of windows or doors. Have someone pick up newspapers and mail. Tell neighbors to call police if they notice anything suspicious.
12. Call in a close patrol
If you are planning an extended vacation you can call the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and ask for a close patrol. Once a close patrol is set up the Deputies who normally patrol your area will be advised to periodically, (call volume permitting), drive by and check your house. When calling for a close patrol make sure you have the license plates and other information on what vehicles are allowed, will be left parked or should be at your house as well as any lights that will be left on or on timers as well as pet information and the name(s) of any person(s) who might be at your house while you are away.
Vehicle Burglary prevention tips
1. Lock your doors, always.
Many burglars only go after vehicles with unlocked doors and will skip locked cars. While locking your doors does not guarantee you will not be a victim it is a first deterrent.
2. Write down serial and model numbers
Stereo systems, amplifiers, GPS systems and other commonly taken items are often never recovered because the serial and model numbers were never written down.
3. Secure valuables
Do not expect your car’s locked doors or windows to deter a criminal. Remove items of value from your vehicle or hide them so a burglar cannot see them. Remove or hide your valuables especially items such as GPS systems, MP3 players, Laptops, Purses and wallets.
Often burglars will look into a car first to see if there is anything to steal and will skip apparently empty cars.
4. Hide your garage door opener remote
The remote you have on your sun visor is an excellent method for a burglar to get into your house without detection. Hide it or take it inside with you.
Deadbolts are usually locked with a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. The cylinder should be pick resistant. Lock your doors every time you leave the house, even if you're leaving for just a few minutes during the day. The most popular times for residential burglaries are weekday daylight hours. In over 1/3 of burglaries, there is no forcible entry--someone forgot to lock the doors.
2. Install solid doors.
Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood and at least 1 3/4 inches thick. Frames must be made of equally strong material and each door must fit its frame securely.
3. Keep garage doors closed and locked.
Open doors and windows are commonly checked by burglars looking for an opportunity. Do not leave your garage door opener on your sun visor. Burglars can gain easy access to your garage and possibly your house by using your automatic garage door opener.
4. Secure sliding doors and windows.
Cut a broom-handle to the length of the bottom track so that the window or door will not slide open when forced. Also, drill one hole through both casings and sliding window and insert a nail or pin.
5. Secure sash windows.
To prevent wooden sash windows from being pried open, drill a downward sloping hole into the top of the bottom window through and into the bottom of the top window and insert a pin or nail. To prevent aluminum sash windows from being broken into, purchase a track lock that blocks the window track.
6. Mark your property.
Mark your valuables with an engraver,. Markers and pen marks can easily be washed off. Marking your property serves as a deterrent to would-be burglars and it helps police in identifying and returning stolen property. A driver’s license number is a good mark to put on items as it is a unique number and it can be checked against DMV records which makes it easier to locate an item’s owner.
7. Write down serial and model numbers
Write down the model and serial numbers to all of your valuables. If possible also take photos of your items; this comes in handy in case of any type of loss, especially in dealing with insurance companies. Many times items are recovered and cannot be returned because they cannot be sufficiently identified. This list should be kept in a safe location, preferably online by using any of various free or low cost file storage solutions. DO NOT keep the list on your hard drive because your computer might also get stolen.
8. Purchase a burglar alarm.
A home alarm system can be a very effective burglary deterrent and fit into many people's needs. Remember to test your system monthly.
9. Leave a light on.
When leaving on trips, leave a light on in the bathroom. In the bedroom, attach a lamp and radio to a 24-hour electric timer set to go on at dusk and off at your bedtime. Close bedroom drapes or blinds.
10. Use proper exterior lighting.
Place a light over every door. Double spot lights on each corner of the house will also light up windows.
11. Work together with your neighbors.
When you are going to be away, tell trusted neighbors and ask them to watch your property. Have neighbors maintain your yard. When on vacation, have someone cut grass. Shrubbery should not hide neighbors' view of windows or doors. Have someone pick up newspapers and mail. Tell neighbors to call police if they notice anything suspicious.
12. Call in a close patrol
If you are planning an extended vacation you can call the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and ask for a close patrol. Once a close patrol is set up the Deputies who normally patrol your area will be advised to periodically, (call volume permitting), drive by and check your house. When calling for a close patrol make sure you have the license plates and other information on what vehicles are allowed, will be left parked or should be at your house as well as any lights that will be left on or on timers as well as pet information and the name(s) of any person(s) who might be at your house while you are away.
Vehicle Burglary prevention tips
1. Lock your doors, always.
Many burglars only go after vehicles with unlocked doors and will skip locked cars. While locking your doors does not guarantee you will not be a victim it is a first deterrent.
2. Write down serial and model numbers
Stereo systems, amplifiers, GPS systems and other commonly taken items are often never recovered because the serial and model numbers were never written down.
3. Secure valuables
Do not expect your car’s locked doors or windows to deter a criminal. Remove items of value from your vehicle or hide them so a burglar cannot see them. Remove or hide your valuables especially items such as GPS systems, MP3 players, Laptops, Purses and wallets.
Often burglars will look into a car first to see if there is anything to steal and will skip apparently empty cars.
4. Hide your garage door opener remote
The remote you have on your sun visor is an excellent method for a burglar to get into your house without detection. Hide it or take it inside with you.
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