HOME SAFETY

Home Security Survey

If you answer any of these questions "NO" then you may have a weak spot in your home security.

1. Do you have a list of all valuable property?
2. Do you have a list of the serial numbers of your watches, cameras, computers and similar items?
3. Do you have a description of other valuable property that does not have a number?
4. Do you avoid unnecessary display or publicity of your valuables?
5. Do you keep excess cash and other valuables in a bank?
6. Do you plan so that you do not need to "hide" a key under the door mat or similar vicinity?
7. Have you told your family what to do if they discover a burglar breaking in or already in the house?
8. Have you told your family to leave the house undisturbed and call the sheriff or police from a neighbors home or cell phone, if they discover a burglary has been committed?
9. Are your trees and shrubs trimmed to eliminate hiding places?
10. Do you have a security closet with a solid core door, pinned hinges and dead bolt lock?
11. Do you have emergency telephone numbers listed on your phone?
12. Are lights installed around the perimeter of your house?
13. Is your house number illuminated and easily visible from the street during all hours of the day?
14. Have you made it more difficult for the burglar by locking up your ladder, avoiding trellises and drainpipes that can be used as a ladder for access to the second floor or roof?
15. Do you arrange for neighbors or friends to pick up papers, mail, packages, etc?
16. Do you notify a neighbor when you will be away from home for more than a day?
17. Do you leave some shades up or curtains open so the house doesn't look deserted?
18. Do you arrange to keep your lawn maintained?
19. Do you have timing devices for your lamps?
20. Are your exterior doors of solid care construction?
21. Do entry doors have a wide-angle viewer?
22. Do exterior doors have cylinder-type deadfall locks with at least a one-inch throw and beveled cylinder guard?
23. Do the doors without cylinder locks have a heavy bolt or some similar secure device that can be operated only from the inside?
24. Can all of your doors (basement, porch, French, balcony) be securely locked?
25. Do your basement doors have locks that allow you to isolate that part of your house?
26. Are your locks all in good repair?
27. Are the door strike plates installed with three-inch screws?
28. Do you know everyone who has a key to your house? (Or are there some still in possession of previous owners and friends?
29. Do all out-swinging doors have the hinges pinned or have non-removable pins?
30. Are entry areas unobstructed by shrubbery and other dècor to permit maximum visibility?
31. Does the porch light have a minimum 60-watt bulb?
32. Do sliding doors have an auxiliary lock that locks both the door panels together or active side to the frame?
33. Is the garage door secured with a padlock, hasp or other good auxiliary lock?
34. Do you lock your garage door at night?
35. Do you lock your garage door when you are away from home?
36. Do you lock your car and take the keys out even when parked in your garage?
37. Are all windows equipped with auxiliary key locks or pinned?
38. Have you replaced or secured louvered windows?
39. Are your window locks properly and securely mounted?
40. Do you keep your windows locked when they are shut?
41. Do you use locks that allow you to lock a window that is partly open?
42. Do you have good, secure locks on garage windows?
43. Do you have garage windows covered with curtains?
44. Are you as careful of basement and second floor windows as you are of those on the first floor?

For More Information on Home Security, call your local law enforcement agency's Crime Prevention Department! These departments were created to HELP YOU prevent crime!

Participation in your nieghborhood watch group will also provide additional information!

What is your neighborhoods crime activity like? Check out TBO.com's crime map.