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Each year in the
U.S, there are more
than five million home burglaries. Nine out of ten of these crimes are
preventable. The risk of being burglarized can be greatly reduced by
taking simple steps to make your home more difficult to enter and less
enticing to would-be burglars. Remember the greatest weapons
in the fight to prevent burglaries are light, time and noise .
Light
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- Make sure that exterior lights are
mounted out of reach, so that burglars can't easily unscrew bulbs.
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- Consider buying motion-sensitive lights,
which are now available at relatively low prices.
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- Use a variable light timer to activate
lights inside your home.
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- Trim trees and shrubs near doors and
windows so burglars can't hide in the shadows
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Time
Make
it time-consuming for a burglar to break into your home by :
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- Installing deadbolt locks on all exterior
doors.
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- installing double key locks in doors
which contain
glass. This will keep a burglar from being able to open the door simply
by breaking the glass and reaching through. (Note: so that everyone in
the house can get out in the event of a fire, be sure to keep the key
in designated place).
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- placing additional locks on all windows
and patio doors.
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Noise
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- Get a dog. You don't need a
large attack dog; even a small dog creates a disburbance that
burglars would prefer to avoid. Remember to License and Vaccinate it.
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- Consider having someone care for your
dogs in your home while you're away, instead of boarding them.
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- If you can afford it, install an alarm
system that
will alert neighbors of a burglar's presence. Most systems can even
summon local police directly. Don't forget to check the Alarm Code.
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Other
tips to prevent break-ins:
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- Think like a burglar. "Case" your home
the way a burglar would and look for easy ways to enter your home.
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- Be sure valuables such as guns,
electronic devices and artwork are not visible from the street.
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- Be sure to lock up ladders and tools
which could be used to break into your home.
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- Work together with your neighbors.
Organize a
Neighborhood Watch and let your neighbors know when you will be away
for an extended period.
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- While on vacation, have someone pick up
your
newspapers and mail, so that they do not accumulate and alert burglars
of your absence.
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- Display your house number conspicuously
and have it
well illuminated. This will help police and emergency personnel find
your home quickly.
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Just
in Case...
Sometimes,
all your efforts won't stop a determined burglar. It's wise to take
some precautions that will help you get your property back should a
criminal successfully break into your home:
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- Make a list of your belongings (be sure
to keep
receipts, especially for expensive items like stereos and computers).
Be sure to update this list periodically.
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- Keep copies of your inventory list and
receipts in
a safe deposit box or with a friend. (This is also important in the
event of a house fire.)
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- Photographing and/or videotaping your
possessions is a convenient way to keep a record of what you own.
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- Engrave your valuables with an
identification or
mark to deter burglary and to prove ownership should the article be
stolen and recovered by the police.
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- Be sure you have the right coverage. You
may need
to purchase additional coverage to protect special items like expensive
jewelry or rare antiques.
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- If you don't own your home, seriously
consider
buying a renter's policy. Your landlord will generally not be
responsible for your possessions. Rental coverages are available at
competitive rates and these policies also offer important protection
against liability and losses due to fire or storm damage.
Source: Jefferson County
Sheriff's Office
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