More Ways to Deter Burglars

Today’s column was about four kinds of burglars:

• The carpe diem
• The smash-and-dash
• The prowler
• The professional

I’d like to talk about some of the ways burglars get in, and how we can deter them.

Burglars look for signs of neglect or absence. That means lawns that haven’t been mowed, mailboxes that have more than one day’s mail, lights that remain on for days, and darkened houses. So the first thing to do is to make your home look occupied. How can you do this?

Leave lights on when you go out. The easiest thing to do is purchases inexpensive timers and connect them to some of your lamps. Have them kick on at different times throughout the evening, and make sure they are off during the day.

Consider leaving music playing when you are gone. I leave soft music or the television on even in hotel rooms so that it seems like I am in the room.

Use good outdoor lighting – motion sensitive for back yards or darker areas. Trim the trees and shrubs regularly so that they cannot be used for hiding. Consider forming a neighborhood watch group with your area

Secure your home

• Look at the outside: what would a burglar find inviting?
• Make sure the hinges on the doors are on the inside. Burglars can remove the pins – and the door – if they are on the outside.
• If you have just purchased the house or if any keys go missing, change all the locks immediately.
• Use curtains over all windows
• Change out any locks that are push-button type
• Use security locks on sliding glass doors.
• Put away tempting items like show blowers, lawn mowers, expensive barbecue grills, and bicycles.
• Keep the garage door closed and locked at all times.
• Lock all outside doors and windows, even if you are only leaving for a few minutes.

If you go out of town
Ask the Post office and newspaper to hold delivery, or have a friend pick them up.
Arrange to have the lawn mowed and other items cared for so that it seems as if you are at home. One friend always schedules small maintenance, like painting the outside trim on her house, while she’s away. Tell as few people as possible that you are going out of town.

Be careful out there!