Not if the burglar comes, but when because, the statistics say, the burglar is coming down you’re street - he is looking for easy targets. Burglars look for easy targets because they’re not professionals, as a rule. They’re amateurs looking for easy targets. There are enough easy targets to make residential burglary one of the fastest growing crimes in recent years. These safety tips are designed to help you target harden your home! They are simple, basic security measures that will make your home less inviting and, in so doing, cause the burglar to look elsewhere for an easier target.
Make Your Home Look and Sound Occupied
By day, leave drapes and shades in normal position - the way you have them when at home. Don’t leave easily movable valuables in sight close to windows or in plain view.
At night, leave on some inner lights – nightlights or bathroom and hallway lights. Consider buying automatic timers that turn lamps on after dark, then off a few hours later or at dawn. These timers can turn a radio on, too, so your home sounds occupied.
Never leave garage doors open, especially with no car in sight. This is like a WELCOME sign to burglars. It’s best to keep your garage door closed even when you’re at home. When leaving for longer periods, don’t forget to move easily stolen objects like a power mower, garden hose, lawn chairs and bicycles from your yard and keep them safely locked up.
Be a Good Neighbor
Keep an eye on your neighbor’s homes and have them to do the same for you. If you see something suspicious - movement inside when a home that should be empty, a strange car or truck in the driveway, a loiterer, call Tampa Police Department non-emergency (231-6130) immediately. Make a reasonable effort to get a good description and license number, without endangering yourself. Burglars have been known to use a truck and openly carry off valuable possessions. If neighbors haven’t mentioned moving, be suspicious. Police would rather you called than wished you’d called.
Install Good Locks and Lock Them
Many homes are guarded only by spring-latch door locks. Also, older doors and frames may become worn, leaving pronounced gaps that allows easy prying, be sure to check the door frames also. There is a lock which crime prevention experts recommend, they are single cylinder deadbolt locks with a 1" throw. This type of lock provides better security than what many homes currently have.
Besides good locks, it’s also a good idea to have a 220-degree wide-angle viewer (peephole) in your front door so you can find out who’s outside without opening your door to a possibly dangerous stranger. Such viewers are inexpensive and easy to install. They are much better than chain latches, which are easy to force loose. Be sure locks are firmly screwed into solid wood, not just into a light doorjamb. The longer the screws and the longer the lock bolt the safer your home will be. The screws, which come pre-packaged, with many locks are too short for good security. For windows, install auxiliary, non-keyed locking devices. They’re inexpensive and provide some extra security. Another idea is to get wedge devices that prevent windows from being opened, or allow the window to be opened an inch or two for ventilation but prevent opening them wider. Sliding glass doors are a special problem because they can be forced open sideways or simply popped out of the track. There are various inexpensive items, such as a Charlie bar or supplemental locks, which will give you better protection. The best lock is worthless if it isn’t consistently used. Always lock your home, even if you’re going to be away from home for only a few minutes. Houses have been cleaned out while the owner was mowing the lawn or visiting with a neighbor. Remember that a lock is not a lock unless you lock it.
Change Locks at the Drop of a Threat
Any licensed locksmith can change the tumblers in your outside door locks quickly and inexpensively. When you move into a home or apartment, have your locks re-keyed. If you lose a key, change the lock tumbler.
Don’t be generous in passing around extra keys – practice good key control. One might end up in the hands of someone you don’t trust or even know. Don’t leave an "emergency" key under the doormat, on top of the doorframe, or in any other "hiding spots" that are well known to burglars.
Keep car keys and house keys on separate key rings. Your house keys will never be left in the possession of a stranger when you valet park your car. Never have your name or license tag attached to your house keys. If keys are lost or stolen, you’ll have an unwelcome visitor very quickly.
Don’t Welcome Burglars by Telephone
Burglars often try to find out if anyone’s home by telephoning. If you get several suspicious "wrong number" calls or "nobody at the other end" calls, keep a record of the callers telephone number. Teach your family members, especially children, not to give out information by telephone, especially about who is home, who is out and how long anyone is expected to be out.
Make it hard for burglars to "case" your home by telephone by not putting your name on your mailbox, doormat or on your doors. Your name on display only makes it easier for the burglar to look up your telephone number in the directory.
Don’t Open Your Door to Anyone Who Has no Business Inside
This isn’t just to guard against robbery by force or threat of force, sometimes burglars who have no intention of using force will first try to get in under some pretext so they can scout out valuables and study locks, windows and other means of entry. Ask repair people and others who claim to have business inside to show positive identification, and keep the door closed while your study the identification through the peephole. If you have the slightest doubt, telephone their superiors back at work, getting the number from your directory. If you wish to help a lost or stranded motorist, you make the call while he or she waits outside. When you do admit a worker or a salesperson you were expecting, do never leave them alone at any time in your home.
Don’t Reward the Burglar Who Does Get In
If, despite your precautions, a burglar does get into your home, don’t offer a "bonus" of cash or large amounts of expensive jewelry. Never keep large sums of cash around the house, keep valuable jewelry that you don’t often use in a safety deposit box.
Alarms
Have a dog in your house if you can. Your dog does not need to be big or ferocious. If your dog makes noise and most dogs will he is doing his job and that’s enough to cause a burglar to look for easier and quieter locations.
It’s best to install a good alarm system, but buy only from reputable, established dealers and ask for their references. Crime prevention officers cannot recommend specific brands or companies, but they can provide general information on types of alarm systems.
Operation Identification has effectively reduced burglary wherever it has been properly implemented. Mark your valuable property with your driver’s license number preceded by the letters "FLDL". Display the "Operation Identification" stickers that warn would be burglars of the risk of entering your home. Also record the serial numbers of your valuables. Will these precautions and crime prevention tips given here, guarantee your home to be burglar safe? No. Short of making your home into an armed fortress, there’s no way to do that. But these basic security precautions will make your home less inviting as a target.
Tampa Police Department – District One
Crime Prevention – 354-6692
