10 Ways to burglar-proof your home
Last year, breaking an entry fell second of crimes committed around Port Moody area, came in just next to small-time mischief. Home invasions had been increasing in British Columbia for the past 5 years. In such cases, panicking or paranoia will never help. Take up proper measures in order to protect ourselves, family and belongings. Here is are tips I got from the Port Moody Police Department.
1. Inspect your home for over-all security. Burglars would prefer any of the following homes:
- tall landscaping or solid fencing where they can hide from neighbours
- signs of empty houses like uncollected newpaper or mail.
- unshovelled driveways, untended lawns
- absence of the family car
- absence of outdoor lighting.
2. Make sure that the doors and windows are locked properly and avoid leaving them open when unnecessary. Upgrade to self locks that cannot easily be opened up by any professional thief.
3. Install good strong deadbolts to all exterior doors and keep them locked all the time.
4. Never open doors to strangers. Teach children to call you/or any adult when there are people at the door. Purchase a peephole or a better yet, a door phone with a pinhole camera to help you identify the individual before opening the door.
5. Make sure that the outdoor lights are lit all night. Position them in a high location, making it harder for burglars to bust it off. You can also opt to have small lamp lights in strategic locations inside your house to add visibility.
6. Remove all items like solid fences or shrubs that may block your view of your front.
7. If you need to leave the house for a few days, it is best to tend the house as if that it is occupied.
- Have somebody to collect mail or subscription for you, as well as to switch the outdoor lights on for the night.
- Hire a trusty part-timer to tend your lawn and feed your pets if any.
- If you cannot find someone to collect your mail, replace the outdoor mailbox with the one that automatically slip mails or newspapers inside your house. This will avoid having mails piled up on your front door.
9. Take note of the description of the burglar, so you can relay this information to the police.
10. Call the 911 as soon as the burglar leaves.