Washington State Crime Prevention Association

Burglars look for easy targets because they’re not professionals, as a rule. They’re amateurs looking for easy targets. Enough easy targets make residential easy targets. Enough easy targets to make residential burglary one of the fastest growing crimes in recent years.

This brochure is designed to help you avoid making your home look like an easy target. There are simple, basic security measures that will make your home less inviting and, in so doing, cause the burglar to look elsewhere for an easier target.

Make Your Home Look and Sound Occupied

By day, leave drapes` and shades in normal position-the way you have them
when at home. Don’t leave easily movable valuables in sight close to windows
or in plain view.

At night, leave on some inner lights-bathrooms and hallways, for example. Consider buying automatic timers that turn lamps on after dark, then off a few hours later or at dawn. These timers can turn a radio on, too, so your home
sounds occupied.

Never leave garage doors open, especially with no car in sight. This is l
ike a WELCOME sign to burglars. It’s best to keep your garage door closed
even when you’re at home. When leaving for longer periods, don’t forget to remove easily stolen objects like a power mower, garden hose, lawn chairs, bicycles and the like from your yard and keep them safely locked up.

Be a Good Neighbor

Keep an eye on your neighbor’s homes and get them to do the same for you.

If you see something suspicious-movement inside when a home should
be empty a strange car or truck in the driveway a loiterer-call your local law enforcement agency immediately. Make a reasonable effort to get a good description and license number, without endangering yourself. Burglars have
been known t use a truck and openly carry off valuable possessions. If neighbors haven’t mentioned moving, be suspicious. Police would rather you called than wished you’d called.

Install Good Locks and Lock Them

Many homes are guarded only by spring-latch door locks. Also, older
doors and frames may have become worn, leaving a pronounced gap that
allows easy prying. So be sure to check them, too. There is one lock which
crime prevention experts recommend. It is a single cylinder deadbolt lock
with a 1” throw. This type of lock provides better security than what many
homes now have. You can get more information from your local Police or
Sheriff Crime Prevention Unit.

Besides good locks, it’s also a good idea to have a 220degree wide-
angle viewer (peep-hole) in your front door so you can find out who’s outside without opening your door to a possibly dangerous stranger. Such viewers are inexpensive and easy to install. They are much better than chain latches, which
are easy to force loose.

Be sure locks are firmly screwed into solid wood, not just into a light
door jamb. The longer the screws and the longer the lock bolt, the safer your
home will be. The screws which come in many packages are too short for
good security.

For windows, install auxiliary, non-keyed locking devices. They’re inexpensive and provide some extra security. Another idea is to get wedge
devices that prevent windows from being opened, or allow the window to be opened an inch or two for ventilation but prevent opening them wider. Sliding
glass doors are a special problem because they can be forced open sideways
or simply popped out of the track. There are various inexpensive items, such
as a Charlie bar or supplemental locks, which will give you better protection. Again, check withy your crime prevention officer.

The best locking the world is worthless if it isn’t locked. Always lock
up, even if you’re away from home for only minutes. Houses have been cleaned
out while the owner was mowing the lawn or visiting with a neighbor. Remember,
a lock is not a lock unless you lock it.

Change Locks at the Drop of a Threat

Any licensed locksmith can change the tumblers in your outside door
locks quickly and inexpensively. So when you move into a home or apartment, have it done. If you lose a key, change the lock tumbler.

Don’t be generous in passing around extra keys. One might end up
in the hands of someone you don’t trust. Don’t leave an “emergency” key
under the doormat, on top of the doorframe, or in any other “hiding spot” so
well known to burglars.

Keep car keys and house keys separate. This way your house keys are never left in the possession of a stranger when you park your car at a garage
or parking lot. Never have a name or license tag attached to your house keys.
If keys are lost or stolen, you’ll have an unwelcome visitor very quickly.

Don’t Welcome Burglars by Telephone

Burglars often try to find out if anyone’s home by phoning. If you get
everal suspicious “wrong number” calls or “nobody at the other end” calls, tell
the police. Warn family members, especially children, not to give out information
by phone, especially about who is home, who is out and how long anyone is expected to be out.

Make it harder for burglars to “case: your home by phone by avoiding names on mailboxes or on doors. Your name on display only makes it easier for the burglar to look your number in the directory.

Don’t Open Your Door to Anyone Who Has no Business Inside

This isn’t just to guard against robbery by force or threat of force, sometimes burglars who have no intention of using force will first try to get in
under some pretext so they can scout out valuables and study locks, windows
and other means of entry. Ask repair people and others who claim to have
business inside to show positive identification, and keep the door closed while
your study the identification through the peephole. If you have the slightest
doubt, telephone their superiors back at work, getting the number from your directory. If you wish to help a lost or stranded motorist, you make the call
while he or she waits outside.

When you do admit a worker or a salesperson you were expecting, do
not leave them alone at any time.

Don’t Reward the Burglar Who Does Get In

If, despite your precautions, a burglar does get into your home, don’t
offer a “bonus” of cash or easily carried jewelry. Never keep large sums of cash around the house. Keep valuable jewelry that you don’t often use in a safety deposit box.

Alarms

Keep a dog at your house if you can. Your god need not be big or ferocious. If the dog makes noise (and most dogs will) that’s enough to cause
a burglar to look for easier and quieter pickings.

It’s best to install a good alarm system, but buy only form reputable, established dealers and ask for their references. Local crime prevention officer cannot recommend specific brands or companies, but they can provide general information on types of alarm systems.

Join Operation Identification

Operation Identification has effectively reduced burglary wherever it has been properly implemented. Mark your valuable property with your driver’s
license number preceded by the letters :WADL”. Display the “Operation Identification” stickers which warn would be burglars of the risk o f entering
your home. Record the serial numbers of your valuables also.

Call your local police or sheriff about Operation Identification.

Will these precautions, the tips given here, guarantee your home to be burglar safe? No. Short of making your home into an armed fortress, there’s no way to do that. But these basic security precautions will make your home less inviting as a target. And that’s the whole idea! So share them with friends and neighbors.