SECURITY AT HOME

Police Department

Crime Prevention - Home Security

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Do not advertise that you are alone             Discourage Prowlers           On Returning Home       Apartment Dwellers                                    On the phone

SECURITY AT HOME

How much security is necessary in the home may depend on where a person lives. Rural people sometimes say that locks are only good for keeping friends out. People who live in high-crime areas do not subscribe to this adage. The suggestions for home security that follow are for women to use according to their needs.

* Good locks will keep out the ordinary prowler, if not the accomplished housebreaker.  * When you move in a new apartment, replace the locks so those previous tenants will not have keys to your dwelling.  * Use your locks. Many women go next door for coffee and leave an unlocked house. It may be worth the little extra trouble to     lock  up and take a key even if one is going to be gone only a short time.  * Do not open the door until you know who is there. If there is no view of the door from a window, install a viewer in the door     and always use it. Some people feel it advisable to install an intercom system as well.  * Do not allow strangers, men or women, in to use the phone for any reason. Make them wait outside a locked door while     you telephone for them.  * Do not let anyone walk into the house on the pretext of helping with packages or anything else.  * Insist that service and deliverymen identify themselves. A commercial truck in the driveway does not mean a bona fide     deliveryman is at the door.  * Keep a wedge under the door so it cannot be forced. Some persons have door chains for this purpose, but unless they are     very strong and firmly installed, they may not hold against a firm shove.  * Be aware of women callers as well as men. Women sometimes work in collaboration with men for robbery or even assault.

DO NOT ADVERTISE THAT YOU ARE ALONE                                           back to top

* If you live alone put only your last name on the mailbox. Even initials can signal a one-woman resident.     Leave your first name     off your phone listing also.  * Keep draperies drawn at night. A woman seen walking about her house seemingly alone may     attract unwanted attention.  * Have lights on in more than one room to give the appearance that several people are at home.   * Be careful talking to strangers who telephone. Do not let them know if you are alone.  * Do not allow little children to answer the door. They are quite likely to let anyone in.

DISCOURAGE PROWLERS                                                                          back to top

* Keep your house and grounds well lit. Entryways and driveways should have lights on at night.   * Do not advertise the presence of expensive jewelry, antiques or expensive art objects in your house.   * A dog (or merely a sign “Beware of Dog”) may help keep prowlers away.

ON RETURNING HOME                                                                                 back to top

* Observe the house as you approach. Go to a neighbor and phone the police if there is strange        vehicle in your driveway  or if you sense something is wrong.    * Have your house key ready before leaving your car.    * Always plan to return to a well-lit house. Timers can be used to turn lights on at dusk if you do not        want to leave lights burning all day.

ON THE TELEPHONE                                                                                     back to top

* Do not tell “wrong number callers your name and phone number.  * Hang up on unpleasant, threatening or obscene phone calls. Report them to the police if such calls     persist.  * Do not answer the phone with a name or number.  * Instruct children and babysitters in proper phone use. Teach them not to disclose any information     about the family to unknown callers.  * Keep emergency numbers taped to the phone.

APARTMENT DWELLERS                                                                               back to top

* Be aware of hazardous areas: basement laundries, storage rooms, and ill-lit alcoves  * Be careful in elevators. If you do not like the look of someone getting on, step off right away     Stand near the button panel.  If you are approached, push the emergency button for all floors.