Don't
Give the Burglar a helping hand
Unfortunately, the burglar does not need to look around
very long to discover "Welcome Burglar" signs
unwittingly left around many homes. It is even more
unfortunate when you realize that all it takes to make
your home less inviting to a burglar is a little common
sense and several easy, effective and inexpensive crime
prevention measures. By following the suggestions
in this website you can decrease your chances of becoming
a burglary victim.
Survey
Your Home
Look at your home through a burglar's eyes. Does it look
like an easy target? Are there obvious security
weaknesses?
Shrubbery
should not obscure doors and windows. Trim the
growth so that a burglar cannot work undetected.
At
night leave a few lights burning outside your
home. Lights over doorways and garages and
strategically placed floodlights will make your
home less inviting to a burglar.
Windows
and doors should be securely locked. Inadequate
locks should be replaced or supplemented.
Make
your home look occupied at all times.
Common
sense is all that is needed to identify most security
weaknesses around your home. To supplement your survey,
and for more complicated security problems, contact the
Houston Police Department Community Services Division at
(713) 308-3200 for a free home security survey. At your
request, a Crime Prevention Officer will survey your home
and provide security recommendations.
Install
Better Locks Many homes are equipped with spring-latch door locks.
Most spring-latch locks can be pried open easily by even
the most inept burglar. Crime prevention experts
recommend deadbolt locks, to provide the security needed
for exterior doors. The bolt on the lock should extend at
least one inch into the door frame to provide adequate
security. Other good security locks, such as the
pry-resistant rim lock, are available. Ask your Crime
Prevention Officer about the best locks for your home.
Secure
Doors and Windows
Wooden exterior doors have either solid or hollow core
construction. Solid core doors provide the greatest
security. They are able to withstand attacks by burglars,
and are best suited for installation of good locks.
If an
exterior door contains a glass panel or is within (48)
inches of a window, you shouldAdditionally,
when you move into a new home, or if you lose your house
keys, contact a locksmith to re-key or change-out your
locks. The change can be done quickly and fairly
inexpensively. It also makes the old or lost keys
useless. But most importantly, don't forget to lock up.
Even the best locks provide no protection if left
unlocked. Securely lock your home even if you plan to be
away for only a few minutes. install a double-cylinder
deadbolt lock which requires a key to unlock it from
either side of the door. This lock will prevent a burglar
from reaching inside to unlock the door after breaking
the glass.
Doors
which swing open to the outside have exposed hinges in
easy reach of burglars. These doors can be secured by the
"hinge pinning" technique:
Remove
opposing screws from both sides of each hinge
plate;
Insert
a pin into the hole on the door frame, leaving a
one inch protrusion;
Drill
out opposing hole to fit pin when door is closed.
Open
garage doors attract burglars. Make a habit of
keeping garage doors closed and locked. An open garage
door, with no car in sight, is a clear invitation to a
burglar. Especially if the garage is used to store such
items as bicycles, power mowers, garden tools, and other
easily stolen property.
Sliding
glass doors are particularly vulnerable to
attacks by burglars. The "pinning" technique
mentioned above will prevent the lock from being forced
or the door from being lifted from the track. Key
operated pins or grips are a preferred method of securing
sliding glass doors.
With
door closed, drill hole (angle downward) through
top and bottom corners of inner frame, partially
into outer frame
Insert
pin or nail
Windows are another common entry point for burglars. Double-hung
windows can be easily and inexpensively secured by using
the "pinning" technique.
With
windows closed, drill hole (angle downward)
through top corners of inner frame, partially
into outer frame
Insert
pin or nail
Good
security for windows is provided by key-operated window
locks, especially when used as auxiliaries to
conventional window locks.
Remember, an open or unlocked window
or door invites burglars.
Give
Your home an Occupied Look
Most burglars are looking for unoccupied homes. If your
home appears occupied, the burglar will usually look for
other, more inviting sites.
When
away from home, leave a radio playing.
Always
leave a few inner lights burning at night.
Automatic timers can be used to vary the on/off
pattern of interior lights when you are away.
When
leaving for an extended period, such as during a
vacation, you should take several additional
precautions;
Ask
a neighbor to keep an eye on your home
Stop
newspaper deliveries
Ask
a neighbor to pick up your mail
If
necessary, arrange for lawn care
Notify
your local law enforcement agency that you
plan to be away. Most agencies will schedule
periodic checks of your home once having been
alerted of your absence and of the need for
extra attention
Use
Common Sense
Common sense will help keep the burglar away. Be aware of
the common methods which burglars use to gain entry, and
make sure your entire family understands what to do in
certain situations.
Warn
family members to be cautious about giving out
information over the telephone. Burglars sometimes call
ahead to learn if anyone is home, who is home, or when
residents are expected to return.
Do
not indiscriminately open your home to strangers.
A wide-angle door viewer or peephole installed in
the front door will allow you to see who is
outside without opening the door. Ask for
positive identification from repairmen or
solicitors who claim to have business inside your
home. If you are suspicious about the caller,
telephone his office for verification.
When
you admit a repairman or salesman, do not leave
him alone for even a few minutes. Don't let a
stranger inside your home to use the phone; make
the call for him.
Don't
leave notes outside your home announcing your
absence. Don't leave any keys hidden outside your
home.
Don't
leave your house keys with your car keys when you
leave your car at a parking lot.
Don't
attach your name or license number to your house
keys. Lost or stolen house keys which contain
such information can be easily traced to your
front door.
Never
keep large sums of cash or easily stolen
valuables, such as jewelry, unprotected in your
home. Keep valuables you don't often use in a
safe deposit box.
Mark
Your Property for Identification
Engrave your valuables with your driver's license number.
Marked property can be easily traced and identified as
yours. Marked property is a proven burglary deterrent
because it is difficult for a burglar to dispose of for
resale. If a burglar is caught with marked property, it
is solid evidence of possession of stolen goods.
Organize
a Neighborhood Watch Group
Many communities have formed Neighborhood Watch groups to
protect themselves from burglars. Through a Neighborhood
Watch organization, neighbors agree to keep an eye on
each other's property and to report suspicious activities
to the the Houston Police.
