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Every one wants to protect themselves, their home, and their family from the damage that a burglar can do if they were to break into your home, which can include physical and emotional distress as well.
Use timers to turn lights, televisions, and sound systems on and off at different times to give your home that lived in look when you are away from home. Install motion detecting outdoor floodlights around your home, but be sure to remember to mount them high enough to prevent intruders from disabling them. If you are lucky enough to have a Neighborhood Watch Program in your community, then by all means join it. If there is not, then get together with your neighbors and start one.
Report any suspicious persons or vehicles around your neighborhood to your local police, and by all means get to know your neighbors. If you have elderly or incapacitated friends or relatives, then check to make sure their security devices are all in good working order. Some burglars will scan newspapers for wedding and funeral announcements and special community and holiday events that might take you out of your home, so be especially careful on these occasions.
Do not let mail, newspapers or fliers accumulate while you are away, because this will tip off criminals. Have the post office hold mail, have newspapers suspended, and have a neighbor or friend clear away fliers. To a burglar, an empty trash can may mean that you are away. So, keep some trash on hand, and consider asking a neighbor to set out trash for pick up at your house. Do not leave
valuables in sight through windows where they will tempt burglars.
Use an etching pen to mark an ID number, like your driver's license number, on all valuables. Make an inventory of valuables in your household and store it somewhere other than your home, such as in a safe deposit box. Leave curtains slightly parted so your house does not have an empty look. Never open the door to a stranger. Install peepholes in all exterior doors so you can identify whoever is outside. Do not rely on a door safety chain, because these can be broken easily.
Ask for I.D. from service representatives who come to your home, and if they do not have it, then check with their company to verify identity before letting them in. If you are planning to go away, then be careful whom you tell. When vacationing, leave a car in your driveway or arrange for a neighbor to keep a car there and move it around from time to time. Have someone mow your lawn, rake leaves and shovel snow while you are away as well.
Prune overgrown trees and shrubs to eliminate hiding places for intruders. Many garage door openers respond to common codes, so follow the manufacturer's instructions to program yours with a unique code no burglar's opener will match. Keep your garage door locked at all times, preferably with a deadbolt lock. Thieves always look in mailboxes, under doormats and above doorways for keys. Do not make it easy for them to get into your home. Do not put your name or address on your key ring, because it might lead a thief right to your door with key in hand.
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