General Home Safety and Security
- If out of the home for an extended period of time, create the illusion that someone may still be there. Leave a TV or stereo on in the room where a burglar would most likely break in. Use exterior lighting and motion detectors to minimize burglar concealment.
- Make sure all exterior doors have good proper locks. Install 1-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.
- If you get an unexpected knock at the door, check to see who it is before opening it.
- Do not leave extra keys under doormats, potted plants or any other obvious outdoor location. Thieves will generally find them. Find an inconspicuous place to hide the keys, or give a set to a neighbor you can trust.
- Burglar-proof your glass patio doors by setting a pipe or metal bar in the middle bottom track of the door slide. The pipe should be the same length as the track.
- Keep garage doors shut.
- Keep drapes and blinds shut – especially in rooms where there is expensive equipment. Don’t advertise the items in your home.
- Store cash, jewelry and other valuables in a safe or safety deposit box instead of leaving them lying around the home.
- Don’t leave notes on the door for service people or family members. These alert the burglar that you are not home.
- If you’re going to be away from home for a few days, adjust your telephone ring to its lowest volume setting. An unanswered phone may tip off a burglar that no one is home. Also, have a neighbor or friend collect your newspaper and mail. Never cancel delivery – you don’t know who will get that information.
Home Fire Safety
- When buying, building or renovating your home, make sure all roofing materials are fire resistant.
- Never leave candles or other open flames burning unattended.
- Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash.
- Don’t leave hot irons, or burning stovetops and outdoor grills unattended while in use. Double-check that you’ve turned them off after use.
- Regularly clear and dispose of dry or dead vegetation in your yard or areas near your home.
- Make sure the lid stays on your trash can, and store firewood and other combustibles away from your home.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.
- Don’t have deadbolts that lock with an inside key. You need to get out fast if a fire starts. A missing key could trap you inside. Also, don’t nail windows shut. Make sure they open easily.
- Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.
- Be sure your street address is visibly posted so that firefighters can identify your home in the event of an emergency.
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