Print
Email
Save
Protect against intruders
You may not think about making your home safe from intruders until you or one of your neighbors experiences a burglary. The FBI reports that more than two million burglaries occur each year, and that two in three such crimes involve private residences. Included in these statistics are home invasions, in which an intruder enters while someone is home and restrains and even hurts the resident in addition to burglarizing the property.
Most of the time the intruder breaks into a home, but it may surprise you to learn that in one out of three cases, the burglar is able to enter without force — by climbing through an open window, opening an unlocked door, or reaching through a mail slot to open the door (to name just a few techniques). To protect yourself and your home or apartment against unwanted intruders, consider taking the following steps.
General advice
-
If you plan to be away from home for any period, suspend newspaper deliveries and have the Post Office hold your mail until you return.
-
Leave a generic message on your answering machine rather than revealing that you are away.
-
Leave a key with a friend or relative to check on the apartment or house periodically while you are gone.
-
Install light timers so that lights go on and off in different rooms, as if you were there.
-
Make sure there are lights outside all external doorways (including sliding glass doors). Replace burnt-out bulbs immediately.
-
All doors leading into your dwelling should have a deadbolt lock as well as an entry lock. The ideal deadbolt locks require a key only on the outside; the inside is secured by turning a latch. If your deadbolt requires a key to open it from the inside as well as the outside, leave a key in the lock at night so that you can open the door easily in the event of fire.
-
Do not hide an extra key under the welcome mat, in your mailbox, or in other areas just outside your dwelling. Intruders can easily check the typical hideaways. (If you are worried about locking yourself out, leave an extra key with a neighbor or relative.)
-
If you have a mail slot in your door, make sure no one can reach through to turn a lock or knob. If this is a problem, have a carpenter relocate the slot or block it off and install a mailbox outside the door.
-
All windows should have working locks.
-
Install shades, blinds, curtains, or indoor shutters to prevent someone from viewing the interior of rooms after dark, when the lights inside are on.
-
Secure valuables and important documents in a fireproof, locked safe. (Safes of various sizes are available in many office-supply stores.) Thieves want to get away fast and are less likely to carry a heavy safe out of the house.
-
Never open the door to a repairman, technician, or other visitor unless you are expecting them. Ask for identification even if you are expecting them, and ask that they slide it under the door.
-
Use peepholes or shatterproof windows alongside the door to identify visitors before opening a door.
 |
Author Info: Harvard Health Publications
Date Last Reviewed: 04-01-2005 Published Date: 01-23-2007 |
Related Learning Centers |
 |
 |
 |
Advertise | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy