9 OUT OF 10 HOUSEHOLD BURGLARIES ARE PREVENTABLE.

Prevent yours!

From time to time, we have published safety pointers in the Story Time newsletter that arrives on your doorstep every month. Some of these will be repeated here, and some new information will be provided. We hope that you will find this information helpful.

COMMON SENSE SAFETY

 Did you know that 40% of home invasions occur because a door or window was left unlocked? Preventing this is easy.

• Lock doors and windows, especially when you're home alone.
• Fix broken locks or windows and install deadbolts on doors leading to the outdoors.
• Replace all locks immediately upon moving into a new home.
• When purchasing new electronic equipment, don't advertise it. Break down cartons before discarding in the trash.
• There is a common misconception that keeping the bathroom light on will keep thieves at bay. Unfortunately, the thieves also know this trick. Install a timer to makes lights in other rooms go on and off.
• Make the prospect of robbing your house a noisy job by installing an alarm. Many different systems are available, with door and window mount detectors.  Once a system is installed, post the signs the security company provides so anyone thinking of robbing you will think twice,
• Charge your cell phone overnight in your bedroom so it’s available in an emergency.
• Consider planting shrubs with nasty thorns under windows that could be used for easy entry into your home.
• Lock your exterior electrical panel with a sturdy lock to prevent anyone from cutting your power supply.

GREETING VISITORS SAFELY

Install peepholes in all exterior doors. It's always a good idea to see who is at the door before opening it.

Request identification from sales or repair people before letting them into your home. Never leave such persons unsupervised in your home.

  DISGUISE YOUR ABSENCE

• Burglars are less likely to victimize a house that looks occupied or is protected by a security system. Here are some ways to give the appearance that someone is home:
• Keep electrical devices on, Program a timer to automatically turn your lights, stereo or TV on and off at set periods during the day or night. Lamp timers cost around $5. Porch light timers start around $30. Variable timers are also available.
• Ask the Police Department to put your home on “vacation patrol”. They will drive by and make sure everything is okay at your home.
• Keep the deliveries coming. Don't stop your mail or newspaper drops, it signals that you're away. Instead, ask a neighbor to pick up deliveries for you.
• Keep a car in your driveway. If you are taking your vehicle on vacation, ask a neighbor to park his or her car in your driveway.
• Have someone mow your lawn while you're away.

CASE YOUR PLACE

Think like a thief. Could you enter your home through an unsecured window or door? How secure is your back gate? Use this list to determine how safe your home is, and make the necessary changes. Doing this could be the difference between keeping your home safe and being the next victim.

AND REMEMBER THIS...

• Confronting a thief in your home is frightening, and never a good idea.
• Follow this advice:
• Run away if you can and call police.
• Lock yourself in a room if you can't escape.
• If you should find yourself face-to-face with a burglar, cooperate and stay calm as possible.
• GET INVOLVED!
• Knowing what goes on around you is the key to preventing crime. Get to know your neighbors. If you see anything suspicious, call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151. Consider joining Block Watch. It takes everyone to make our neighborhood a safe place to live, and YOU CAN HELP.