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"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the old; seek what they sought."
Special Happy Birthday Wishes to the following TKC instructors ...
Allison Mosa 11/26
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Home Security Handbook
California Attorney General’s Office
Crime and Violence Prevention Center
Introduction
Home Security Survey
Protecting Against Entry
Doors
Windows
Alarms
Protecting Your Property
Protecting Your Neighborhood
Burglary Prevention
Vacation safety
Introduction
When was the last time you heard about a house being burglarized? Maybe
you have been hit yourself. Not a good feeling, is it?
You don’t have to be a victim of burglary. While it is one of the most
frequently committed crimes, it’s preventable. Most home burglaries are done by
opportunists who spot an open window, a faulty lock or a house that looks like
no one’s going to be around for a while. In California, nearly one third of all
burglaries are classified as “no-force entries” because the burglars simply
walked in through an unlocked door or climbed in an open window.
You can reduce the chance that this will happen to you. Read this booklet to
find out what you need to do. Most of the suggestions will cost you very little,
but they will contribute immensely to your peace of mind. They will also
safeguard your property.
Remember — lock your doors and windows when you leave your home. If you have an
alarm, use it. Don’t become a crime statistic, and please share this book with
your neighbor.
Home Security
Survey
No house is absolutely burglar-proof when professional burglars target
your home. But they would be the first to admit that you can discourage burglars
if you beef up your home security. You can begin this process by identifying
your weak areas and fixing them.
The checklist below will assist you in systematically surveying your home. Every
“No” check mark shows a weak point that may let a burglar into your home. If you
have security risks, read this handbook to find out how to correct them. As you
eliminate the “No” check marks, you improve your protection.
Remember, this survey will only identify your weak areas. You have not improved
your home security until these are corrected. Complying with these suggestions
will not, of course, make your home burglar-proof, but it will certainly improve
your protection.
If you would like professional advice and assistance in a thorough home security
survey, call your local law enforcement agency. To keep your guard up, take a
critical look at your home security every three to four months. Do not become
lax
— Crime prevention is a continuous process.
Top
Door And Entry Areas (Including Garage Side Doors)
1. Do you plan so that you do not need to “hide” a key under the doormat or
similar place? Yes No
2. Do you know everyone who has a key to your house? (Or are keys still in the
possession of previous owners and friends?) Yes No
3. Are entry areas unobstructed by shrubbery and other decor to permit maximum
visibility? Yes No
4. Are your trees and shrubs trimmed to eliminate hiding places? Yes
No
5. Are lights installed around the perimeter of your house? Yes
No
6. Do the front, back or side porch lights have a minimum 60-watt bulb? Yes
No
7. Are your exterior doors of solid core construction? Yes
No
8. Do entry doors have a 190 wide angle viewer? Yes No
9. Do exterior doors have cylinder-type dead bolt locks with at least a one-inch
throw and beveled cylinder guard? Yes No
10. Do the doors without cylinder locks have a heavy bolt or some similar secure
device that can be operated only from the inside? Yes No
11. Can all of your doors (basement, porch, French or balcony) be securely
locked? Yes No
12. Do your basement doors have locks that allow you to isolate that part of
your house? Yes No
13. Are all your locks in good repair? Yes No
14. Are the door strike plates (the jamb fastening that receives the bolt in the
locking position) installed with three-inch
screws? Yes No
15. Do all out-swinging doors have locking pins or non-removable hinges with
pins? Yes No
16. Do sliding doors have an auxiliary lock that locks both the door panels
together? Or do you have a lock that locks the
active side to the frame? Yes No
17. Is the garage door secured with a padlock, hasp or other good auxiliary
lock? And do you use it? Yes No
18. Do you lock your garage door at night? Yes No
19. Do you lock your garage door when you are away from home? Yes
No
20. Do you lock your garage door leading into the house? Yes
No
21. Do you lock your car and take the keys out even when it is parked in your
garage or driveway? Yes No
22. Are all windows equipped with auxiliary locks or pinned? Yes
No
23. Have you replaced or secured louvered windows? Yes
No
24. Are your window locks properly and securely mounted? Yes
No
25. Do you keep your windows locked when they are shut? Yes
No
26. Do you have good, secure locks on garage windows? Yes
No
27. Do you have garage windows covered with curtains or blinds? Yes
No
28. Are you as careful of basement and second floor windows as you are of those
on the first floor? Yes No
When You Are On A Trip
29. Do you arrange for neighbors or friends to pick up newspapers, mail,
packages and other deliveries? Yes No
30. Do you notify a neighbor? Yes No
31. Do you notify your local police or sheriff’s department? (Some jurisdictions
provide vacation checks of homes.) Yes No
32. Do you arrange to keep your lawn maintained? Yes No
33. Do you use timing devices to turn your lamps, radios or televisions on and
off? o o
34. Do you arrange to have a neighbor put out your garbage can and put it back
in the yard? o o
Top
The Next Step
Now that you have identified the weak points in your home security, you
can take the next step and learn about securing your home. The next section of
this handbook describes what’s needed to secure your home — what’s a good lock,
a good door and secure windows.
Protecting
Against Entry
Many of the locks and other items described in this section are
inexpensive and can be installed yourself. Some, however, may require a
professional to install them. Your local police or sheriff’s department can
answer any questions you may have.
Key Control
True security begins with key control. When you move into a home or
apartment or lose your keys, always have the locks re-keyed. You don’t have to
replace the lock itself, as re-keying of locks will render the previous keys
useless. Any licensed locksmith can change the tumblers in your outside door
locks quickly and inexpensively.
Do not leave an “emergency” key under the door mat, on top of the door frame or
in any other “hiding spot” so well-known to burglars.
Never attach a name, address, or license tag to your house keys or your
children’s. If keys are lost or stolen, you will have an unwelcome visitor very
quickly!
Keep car keys and house keys separate. Never leave your house keys with an
attendant when you go to the car wash or parking lot.
Exterior Lighting
Exterior lighting is extremely important in residential security.
Each exterior doorway should be lighted from dusk to dawn so a burglar can’t
hide to break in.
Yards and windows should be lighted. Night blind spots can be eliminated by use
of ornamental porch and yard lamp posts.
Yard lights and entrance lights can be equipped with sensors that turn the light
on at dusk and off at dawn or when it detects motion. The motion detectors seem
to work better because when the light turns on there is a change in environment.
Motion detector lights can also be equipped with bell or other warning sounds.
Check the sensors or motion detectors periodically to make sure they work.
Top
Landscaping
Keep doorways, windows and porches clear when planting bushes and
flowers.
Remember that the bushes that provide you with privacy also give a burglar a
place to hide.
Prune large trees. A burglar can climb the lower limbs to the second story. A
well-maintained lawn is a very effective clue that someone is at home and cares.
Plan your landscaping with both privacy and security in mind — planting thorny
bushes and shrubs near windows and along fences may discourage burglars.
Locked gates and well-maintained fences can make break-ins more difficult and
prevent the removal of large items.
Walks and driveways should be easily seen so no landscaping offers concealment
for intruders.
Doors
Hinge doors
The hinge door is the most common type used in houses and apartments.
They are used for front, porch, garage and basement doors leading into the home.
All exterior hinge doors should be of solid core construction, 1-3/4 inch thick.
The door frame should be of solid construction and be equipped with a proper
strike plate. Hollow core or composition board doors can easily be battered or
broken through.
Outside hinges
Doors with hinges on the outside will provide a burglar with easy
access to your home. The burglar only has to remove the hinges and lift the door
away from its frame. This situation can be corrected in three ways:
— Remove the door and remount the hinges on the inside of the frame so that the
door swings inward; or
— Install a set of hinges with non-removable hinge pins; or
— Install a locking pin below the existing hinge plate. Here is how:
o Drill holes below the hinge plate.
o Insert a “headless” screw, bolt or nail into the door jamb below the hinge
plate. Leave at least one-half inch of the screw, bolt or nail extending from
the frame.
Once this is done, as the door closes, the pin in the jamb will penetrate the
hole in the door and the door will be held in position even if the hinge pins
are removed.
Top
Dead bolt locks
The best defense for a good solid core wood door is a dead bolt lock
with one-inch throw bolt. The security dead bolt lock can be used on any hinge
door where the strike plate can be securely fastened to the door frame. When
installing a dead bolt, attach the strike plate (the jamb fastening that
receives the bolt in the locking position) to the door with four to six,
three-inch brass wood screws. The screws should penetrate through the frame to a
structural member.
Dead bolt locks come in double key cylinder and inside thumb-operated models. If
there are no windows in or near the door, the bolt may be operated from inside
by a thumb turn. Both single and double key cylinder dead bolt locks should meet
the following criteria to be a good security device:
o The bolt must extend a minimum of one-inch and contain a hardened steel
insert.
o The dead bolt should contain a cylinder guard to prohibit twisting of the lock
with a wrench or pliers. It must be solid metal — not hollow casting or stamped
metal.
o The key way should contain a five-pin tumbler system to make it more difficult
to pick.
o The connecting screws that hold the lock together must be on the inside and
made of case-hardened steel. No screw heads should be exposed on the outside.
o The connecting screws must be at least one-fourth inch in diameter and go into
solid metal stock, not screw posts.
Many communities prohibit the use of a double key cylinder dead bolt lock
because it may be hazardous if the door is to be used as an emergency fire exit.
Consult your local law enforcement agency, fire department or locksmith,
regarding its use. If used in your home, a key should be left in the inside
cylinder whenever the home is occupied.
Key-in-the-knob locks
These locks on an outside door are an invitation to even the most
inexperienced burglar. These locks can be forced by breaking off the knob, and
frequently they can be opened by prying or slipping a piece of plastic between
the jamb and the bolt. Do not rely on these locks. Install a dead-latching
plunger type lock to supplement it.
Locks for double doors
Many homes with double doors use half-barrel slide bolts on the
inactive door. These are weak and inadequate and should not be relied upon.
Additional locking devices should be installed. Flush bolts installed at the top
and bottom of the inactive door of a pair of doors offer additional security
since the intruder cannot get at these devices to tamper with them if the doors
are locked. It is important that the bolts have at least one-inch of throw and
those they protrude well into the top frame and threshold. Additionally, the
strike plates should be well secured with at least three-inch brass wood screws.
Locks for dutch doors
Dutch doors can be secured by adding a dead bolt lock to both the
lower and upper door.
Security for doors with glass
If an exterior door has a glass window or if there is glass within 40
inches of the lock, you may want to install security screening, window guards or
burglary rated glazing. Use non-removable screws to securely mount screens, bars
or window guards.
Sliding glass doors
Sliding glass doors present a major security problem if they do not
have the proper locks and if special steps are not taken to prevent removal of
the door.
A sliding glass door is lifted into position when installed and, therefore, must
be lifted from the track to be removed. To prevent this, insert #8 or #10 sheet
metal screws into the top of the door frame at both ends and the middle.
Adjust these screws so that the door barely clears them when it is operated. If
properly inserted, this will take up the slack between the upper part of the
door and the interior frame.
It is important to note that dowels alone placed in the door track will not
prevent a burglar from removing the sliding door.
The best lock for a sliding glass door is operable by a key from the inside.
The lock bolt should engage the strike sufficiently so that it will not be
disengaged by any amount of movement. When the existing inside pull has to be
changed in order to accommodate a new deadlock, an inside cylinder pull is
recommended as a replacement. A single lock is not recommended because of the
softness of aluminum frames.
A supplemental lock should be installed at the top or bottom, made out of steel
and inserted in the sliding door at a slightly downward angle.
Top
Garage Doors
Garage doors should always be closed and locked whenever you are away
from home. Most garages offer burglars a wide selection of tools to use in
breaking into your home. Garages provide ladders for accessing second story
windows and also a convenient, hidden route for entry into your home through the
connecting door. Remember, a securely locked garage will prevent burglars from
the opportunity to steal automobiles, tools, bicycles, lawn mowers and other
property.
Sectional roll-up doors
For overhead sectional roll-up doors, drill a hole of proper size in the door
track, just above one of the guide rollers while the door is in the closed
position, and install a padlock. Many doors are installed with pre-drilled holes
that will accommodate this security feature without having to drill. Or, install
eye bolts on the inside top of the garage door and the door frame. When the
garage door is closed, a padlock can secure the bolts and prevent opening of the
door.
Electric garage door openers
An electric garage door opener should have steel gears and chain activation.
Periodically check the door to make sure it is adjusted to prevent the bottom
from being lifted up. This stops the thief from crawling under the door.
When you move into a new home, reset the code in the opener and the remote
control units.
Cane bolts can be installed on the inside of the door. These can only be locked
from the inside. Sliding hasps can also be used on the inside of the door.
Lifting doors
Hardened steel hasps and padlocks are recommended to secure both
sides of a lifting garage door. This is to prevent the lifting of the opposite
side and crawling under the door.
Installing the hasp
A hasp must be of hardened steel and installed with carriage bolts through the
door. Use large washers on the inside. When installing hasps, make sure that the
mounting screws are covered when the hasp is locked. After the bolts are
secured, deface the threads of the bolt ends with a hammer to keep the nuts from
being removed.
Top
Selecting a padlock
Use a good quality padlock to secure your garage door. There are many
padlocks on the market from which to choose. Some can even be keyed to your
house key. Do not be guilty of economizing on a padlock that will not give you
the protection you need. Most combination padlocks are poor security because the
bodies of these locks are very weak.
The most common assault on a padlock is with a large bolt cutter or pry bar.
Some padlocks have built-in shackle guards which make them difficult to attack
with bolt cutters. The following description of the minimum standard for an
exterior padlock can be taken to the locksmith or hardware store:
o Case hardened steel, 7/16 inch shackle. (Short, heavier shackles offer
additional security.) Stainless steel shackles offer the ultimate in padlock
security.
o Double-locking mechanism — heel and toe.
o Five pin tumbler.
o A key retaining feature, whenever possible. This prevents you from removing
the key until you have locked the padlock.
Some padlocks have the key code number printed on them. This should be filed
off. Otherwise, a burglar can go to a locksmith, give the brand/number and buy a
duplicate key. Never leave your padlock unlocked. This is an invitation to have
the padlock removed so that a key can be made and the lock returned to its
original location. Later the burglar returns when no one is home and enters at
his or her leisure, using that key.
Other garage doors
The weakest link in an attached garage is usually the side (rear) door. Doors
with window panes or thin veneer wood or no dead bolt locks should be considered
a primary entry for a burglar. Take measures to make this door as secure as the
front door. In most cases, it is easier to either replace the door or use
plywood on the interior to reinforce the existing wood panel, or to replace the
glass with burglary resistant glazing to prevent entry through the window.
Top
Windows
Sliding windows
Sliding windows should be secured by the same methods used for the
sliding doors. Both the pan head top screws and the bracing devices are
effective on this type of window, if the slider is on the inside. Several types
of auxiliary locks which offer improved security are also available.
Casement windows (crank type)
These windows are the easiest to secure. Make sure the locking latch works
properly and the crank which opens and closes the window has no excessive play.
Replace any worn hardware. Key lock handles are available, if you desire.
If the window is not normally opened or closed, remove the crank handle.
Double-hung sash-type windows
To secure these windows, drill a hole that angles slightly downward through a
top corner of the bottom window into the bottom of the top window, on both
sides.
Then place an eye bolt or eight penny nail into the hole to prevent the window
from being opened.
Auxiliary latches may also be installed. The most effective protection for
doublehung windows is a key-locking security sash lock. If possible, mount the
lock with two-inch wood screws.
Louvered windows
It is best to replace louvered windows with another type. Metal
grating may also be used as long as it is secured with large bolts, preventing
the bars or grating from being torn free from their mount.
For the interim period of waiting for the replacement windows or installation of
window bars, you might want to secure the windows:
o Remove each individual pane of glass and sand the glass and metal frame where
the two meet; and,
o Apply a two-part epoxy resin glue to the sanded area and replace the piece of
glass into the framework.
Top
Basement windows
Basement windows are one of the most common points of entry for
burglars.
Special attention should be paid to securing them if they are hidden by bushes
or trees which provide burglars with an ideal place to work unobserved. Such
windows should be replaced with plexiglass or polycarbonate, or reinforced with
decorative security bars.
Garage windows
If you use garage windows for ventilation, install the same security items as
recommended for the windows in your home. Hang curtains or miniblinds to prevent
a potential burglar from checking to see if you’re home or window shopping for
valuables.
Window guards or grilles
For extremely vulnerable windows, you may wish to consider installing heavygauge
metal (iron) grilles. Before installation, consult your local fire department
about emergency release requirements. Grilles should be attached with one way
screws or fastened from the inside. Bars and gratings are not recommended for
sleeping rooms because they could create a fire hazard. If they are used,
however, they must have an inside mechanism that allows them to swing out in an
emergency.
Alarms
An alarm system can contribute to your home’s security. However, do not depend
only upon an alarm to protect you. Be sure to use the proper locking devices and
join or start a Neighborhood Watch program in your area.
There are many types of alarms on the market. Before deciding what type of
system to install, check with your local law enforcement agency to determine if
there is an alarm ordinance in your area.
Entire alarm systems may be leased or purchased from professional state licensed
alarm companies and are also available from electrical and hardware dealers or
home improvement stores. Alarm system installation by a well-established,
professional alarm company in your community will save you money in service
calls and local fines. You may wish to consult with your local Better Business
Bureau to determine which companies are reputable in your community.
You may also call the state licensing agency to verify that a company is
licensed and whether or not any disciplinary actions have been taken against
them. For state licensee information, call (916) 445-7833 or 445-7724.
Get at least three estimates and then decide which alarm company and system is
best for your needs.
Any alarm system should include:
o A fail-safe battery backup.
o Fire-sensing capability (ionizationsensors are best).
o Readout ability to check the working of the system. Test your alarm
periodically if your system has that feature.
o Horn-sounding device.
Most residential alarms emit a loud noise from a bell, siren or tone generator.
An audible alarm on doors and windows can be an effective deterrent to the
amateur burglar. Make sure that your family understands how the alarm operates
and sounds. Notify your neighbors that you have installed an alarm and make sure
that they are aware of the alarm’s sound and that it is loud enough to be heard
in their homes. Family and neighbors should be trained to call your law
enforcement agency when they hear the alarm.
If you live in a rural area or if most of your neighbors are gone during the
day, you may wish to consider having a system with an automatic dialer to a
central reporting station. This type of system is activated when your alarm goes
off. An alarm responder will call your home to find out if it is a false alarm,
requesting your password or other code. If no one answers, or if the proper
response is not received, they will call your local law enforcement agency. In
most jurisdictions, its illegal to have a dialer alarm system call the police or
sheriff’s department.
Top
Safe Practices
Don’t tip off burglars by telephone
Burglars often try to find out if anyone is home by phoning. If you
get several 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, or how long
anyone is expected to be out.
If you use an answering machine or voice mail service, do not indicate on your
greeting that you will be gone for a specific time. A more appropriate message
is that you screen calls and sometimes you may be home or not.
If your name is in the telephone book, do not place your full name on the
mailbox, door or apartment building roster. Use your first two initials and last
name only. Your name on display only makes it easier for the burglar to look
your phone number up in the phone book.
Make it look as if you’re home
Maintaining an appearance of occupancy even when your home is vacant is
essential to thwarting burglary attempts.
Timers can automatically regulate television, radios, and the interior lighting
of a home to create such a deception. Timers should be used while you are on
vacation, when you are out to dinner or even during the day while you are at
work.
One type of automatic timer has a 24-hour dial and allows you to set an on-and
off time to coincide with normal light usage in your home. These timers simply
plug into the wall, and the lamp you want to use is plugged into the timer.
For the most realistic deception, several timers should be used to simulate
occupancy. For instance, a television and lamp in the living room might be on
from 6:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. At 11:00 p.m., a lamp might go on in the
bathroom until 11:30 p.m. and a bedroom lamp might go on from 11:00 p.m. to
midnight. This would indicate to anyone watching the house that it was occupied.
During the day, leave drapes and shades in their normal position — the way you
have them when at home. (And do not leave easily stolen valuables in sight close
to windows!)
Don’t advertise your vacation plans
Inform one or two people of your vacation plans — a trusted neighbor who can
keep an eye on things while you are gone. Have your neighbor pick up your
newspaper and other deliveries. (Do not inform any delivery people that you will
be on vacation.) If you will be gone for more than a week, arrange to keep your
lawn maintained and for your garbage can to be put out and brought in. Notify
the police/sheriff if you live in a jurisdiction which provides vacation checks.
Don’t reward the burglar who does get in
If, despite your precautions, a burglar does get into your home, do not give him
or her a “bonus” of cash or easily-carried jewelry. Never keep large sums of
cash around the house. Keep valuable jewelry that you do not often wear in a
safe deposit box.
House numbers
Make sure that police, fire and paramedics can find your home in a
time of emergency. Have your house numbers clearly mounted on a high contrast
background. Each number should be at least four-inches. Have the numbers
illuminated all night. Also, your house number should be painted on the center
of the driveway next to the street. Have it repainted periodically because it
can fade.
Does your police or sheriff’s department have a helicopter patrol? If so, on the
rear section of your roof, add your house numbers so that the helicopter patrol
can locate your residence from the air. The numbers should be two feet high and
a contrasting color with the background. A directional arrow and number can show
the increase in house number addresses.
Emergency telephone numbers
Police, fire and paramedic’s emergency telephone numbers should be
listed on or programmed into each phone in your home. Telephone stickers with
these numbers may be available from your police, sheriff or fire departments.
If you discover a burglary has been committed, leave the house undisturbed and
call the police or sheriff’s department from a neighbor’s home. If you interrupt
a burglar or if you see a prowler in or around your home, do not investigate
yourself.. . call 911 immediately from a neighbor’s home.
Call 9-1-1 if an emergency situation threatens human life or property and
demands immediate attention. Do not call 9-1-1 for non emergencies, this causes
delays in the handling of real emergencies.
Top
Protecting Your Property
Mark and record your property – Operation Identification
The experience of many communities vividly confirms that you and your community
can reduce the risk of burglary by simply marking your possessions. Some towns
have had up to a 25 percent decline in burglaries after instituting such a
program. The program is usually known as “Operation Identification.”
An inexpensive electric etching pencil or engraver — often available on loan
from your local law enforcement agency — is used to engrave your personal
property with your driver’s license number. (Do not use your social security
number.
Federal law forbids the use of social security numbers to trace an individual.)
Engrave your valuables with this information: “Stolen from CA ___ (insert your
driver’s license number here).” CA stands for California. This allows law
enforcement to trace the number. Inscribe on furniture, appliances, television,
stereo components, guns, cameras, lawn equipment, tools, musical instruments,
personal computers, etc. These words can be placed on the base or rear portion
of the item without marring the appearance of the item. Electric engraving
pencils are as easy to write with as a ball point pen and are a worthwhile
investment.
Some small items, such as jewelry which cannot be marked, should be
photographed.
Larger items can be videotaped. Place your driver’s license photo next to the
item for easy ownership identification.
Extremely valuable jewelry should be appraised by a reputable appraiser. Place a
description and listing of the items on the back of the photograph. In fact, you
may wish to photo- graph or videotape each room in your house.
Once you have marked your property, record it on an inventory list. A sample
inventory form appears in the back of this handbook. Put one copy of the list
and photographs or videotape in your safe deposit box, fire-proof box, freezer
portion of your refrigerator, or otherwise out of reach of a burglar.
Also, save receipts with the model and serial numbers of your more valuable
items and keep them with the inventory list. If you have a burglary loss — or a
fire, storm or any other kind of loss — the list will help you remember what you
had and the receipts will help you establish proof of their value for filing an
insurance claim.
Update your inventory at least once a year to make sure newly-bought items are
added.
There is evidence that burglars avoid both homes and communities where
Operation Identification is used. So after identifying your property, let a
would-be burglar know that the property is marked. Many local law enforcement
agencies can provide decals to warn potential burglars that the home is a
participant in Operation Identification.
Top
Insure against theft
A homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy provides basic economic
protection against burglary and other types of theft. Policies designed for
mobile homeowners and condominium owners serve the same purpose. If you do not
already have such a policy, it is suggested you purchase one without delay.
(Some insurance companies provide premium discounts if you take certain home
security precautions, i.e., install dead bolt locks, participate in Operation
Identification,
etc.)
A typical homeowner’s policy insures you against loss by burglary for up to 50
percent. Say, for example, your home is insured for $100,000. You have $50,000
in protection on the contents of your home, whether from burglary or another
loss. If you rent, your burglary protection is the full amount stated in the
policy.
Policies and insurance companies differ in their provisions. Many insurance
companies offer “full replacement” compensation for stolen property, while
others will pay for the loss on the basis of the property’s replacement cost
minus depreciation.
There may also be a deductible applied to this coverage.
Valuable items — collections, furs, quality cameras, expensive jewelry — should
be protected by an endorsement (sometimes called a floater) on your policy.
This adds coverage on items beyond the limits that apply to certain kinds of
property.
Any questions you have about theft coverage should be directed to your insurance
agent.
Top
Protecting Your
Neighborhood
Neighbors watching out for each other
Start or join Neighborhood Watch
This is a crime prevention program that uses people, in cooperation with law
enforcement, to reduce crime in their own neighborhoods. Neighborhood Watch
involves neighbors getting to know each other, taking the time to watch out for
each other and working together in a program of mutual assistance.
By cooperating with each other and the police, people can help fight crime in
their community in the most effective way — before it begins! Neighborhood
Watch can help you substantially reduce residential burglaries and other crimes.
By participating, you will learn:
o What are effective crime prevention techniques for houses, apartments and
neighborhood safety.
o How you can be a good neighbor by becoming law enforcement’s “eyes and ears”
and helping them do their job of investigating and arresting criminals.
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Burglary Prevention
Barriers to Burglary
Burglary is a crime of opportunity. Make their work risky and
difficult, and you stand a good chance of stopping them before they get in.
Your first line of defense
To a burglar visibility means vulnerability. They hide behind fences
and shrubbery. The key is to keep trespassers out while keeping your property
visible. Use picket or chain link fences. Keep hedges clipped down around waist
level.
On the outside looking in
Burglars try the doors and windows first. If burglars have difficulty
here, chances are they will move on to another property.
Doors
• Locks. Strong, reliable locks are essential to effective home security. Always
keep doors and windows locked—even a five-minute trip to the store is long
enough for a burglar to enter your home. Use quality keyed knobs as well as
deadbolts— deadbolts can withstand the twisting, turning, prying, and pounding
that regular keyed knobs can’t. The strongest are deadbolt locks with a minimum
1" throw bolt containing a hardened, saw-resistant steel insert. Attach the
strike plate to the doorframe with 4" screws. The double cylinder deadbolt lock
requires a key from both sides, preventing a burglar from breaking glass in the
door and turning the knob from the inside. Make sure the cylinder of the lock
has a steel guard — a ring around the key section. The cylinder guard should be
tapered, or it should rotate around the key section to prevent wrenching.
Remember, though, a double cylinder dead- bolt can also block your exit in an
emergency. Check with your local law enforcement agency or building inspector to
see if these locks are permitted in your area. As one alternative, security
glazing can be applied to glass panels in or near the door, or shatterproof
glass can be installed, though these options can be expensive. Mylar window
coverings may be another more inexpensive deterrent. Double door should be
secured with heavy-duty multiple point, 3" long flush bolts.
• Hinges. Doors that swing out have hinges on the outside. A burglar can easily
remove the hinge pins and lift the door out. To foil this, remove the center
screw from each side of the hinge and insert a metal pin or headless screw on
one side. When the door is closed, the end of the pin will fit into the opposite
hole. Thus, even if the pins are removed, the door will remain bolted to the
frame. For added security, use strong door hinges on the inside of the door,
with non-removable or hidden pins.
• Padlocks. Overhead doors, receiving doors, garage doors — all are typically
secured with padlocks and hasps. The most common assaults on padlocks are made
with bolt-cutters and pry bars. Look for sturdy padlocks that don’t release the
key until the padlock is closed. The padlock should be case-hardened with a 3/8"
shackle to resist repeated smashing. Other features to look for: a double
locking bolt providing "heel and toe" locking; at least 5 pin tumblers in the
cylinder; and a key-retaining feature that prevents removal of the key until the
padlock is locked. Remember, a padlock is only as good as the hasp on which it
is mounted; so bolt hasps securely to a metal plate, and make sure the bolts are
concealed when the padlock is closed.
• Door construction. Burglars can kick in a weak door. Replace hollow core doors
with solid core doors, or strengthen the existing ones with metal sheets.
Replace weak doorframes, or reinforce them with steel or concrete. Protect glass
in the door with steel bars or mesh; or place a polycarbonate sheet over the
glass on the inside. Every entry door should be well lighted and have a
wide-angle door viewer so you can see who is outside without opening the door.
• Sliding glass doors. Sliding glass doors can offer easy entry into your home.
To improve security on existing sliding glass doors, you can install keyed
locking devices that secure the door to the frame; adjust the track clearances
on the doors so they can't be pushed out of their tracks; or put a piece of wood
or a metal bar in the track of the closed door to prevent the door from opening
even if the lock is jimmied or removed.
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Windows
Secure all windows. First floor windows should be protected with burglar
resistant glass. Protect windows by putting grates, grill work, or bars over
them; or cover the glass on the inside with a clear polycarbonate sheet. The
sheet should extend 1-1/2" beyond the perimeter of the glass and be bolted to
the door. Space the bolts approximately every 3 inches. Unbreakable safety glass
is also available, but it is more expensive. Most standard double-hung windows
have thumbturn locks between the two window panels. Don’t rely on these—they can
be pried open or easily reached through a broken pane. Instead, install keyed
locking devices to prevent the window from being raised from the outside, but
make sure everyone in the house knows where to find the keys in case of an
emergency. Some jurisdictions have restrictions on this type of lock—check with
your local law enforcement before you install them. An easy, inexpensive way to
secure your windows is to use the “pin” trick. Drill an angled hole through the
top frame of the lower window partially into the frame of the upper window. Then
insert a nail or eyebolt. The window can’t be opened until you remove the nail.
Make a second set of holes with the windows partly opened so you can have
ventilation without intruders.
Other entrances
Skylights, ventilation ducts, and fire escapes tempt burglars because
these openings usually are not visible from the street. Protect skylights and
ducts with metal grates and iron bars. The first stair of a fire escape should
be too high for the average adult to reach from the ground. The door or window
leading to the escape should be equipped with emergency exit features: window
guards should be removable or hinged to allow for an emergency exit. Keys to
locked windows or door should be kept nearby.
Key control
Because any lock gives way to a key, practice good key control.
• Engrave “Do Not Duplicate” on all keys.
• Don’t hide keys in mailboxes, planters, or under doormats. Give an extra key
to a neighbor you trust.
• If you’ve just moved into a new house or apartment, have the locks changed.
Lighting
Lighting is one of the most cost-effective deterrents to burglary. Indoor
lighting gives the impression that a home is occupied. If you are going to be
away from your home, consider using automatic timers to switch interior lights
on and off at preset times. Outdoor lighting can eliminate hiding places.
Install exterior lighting near porches, rear and side doorways, garage doors,
and all other points of entry. Entryways to your home always should be well
lighted. Place lights out of reach from the ground so the bulbs cannot be
removed or broken. Aim some lights away from the house so you can see if anyone
is approaching, or install motion-sensing lights, which turn on automatically as
someone approaches.
Shrubs and Landscaping
Your home’s walkways and landscaping should direct visitors to the
main entrance and away from private areas. The landscaping should provide
maximum visibility to and from your house. Trim shrubbery that could conceal
criminal activity near doors and windows. Provide light on areas of dense shrubs
and trees that could serve as hiding places. Cut back tree limbs that could help
thieves climb into windows, and keep yard fencing low enough too avoid giving
criminals places to hide.
Alarms
Before you invest in an alarm system, weigh the cost against your need. How
valuable is your property and belongings? How great is your risk? After
installing an alarm, let burglars know by putting warning signs in windows and
entrances.
Every alarm system should include:
• a fail-safe battery backup
• Fire-sensing capability
• A feedback device to check the system
Check with several companies and decide what level of security fits your needs.
Sources of information include your local police department, the public library,
and the Better Business Bureau. Look for an established company and check its
references before using them. If you choose to have an alarm system, learn how
to use it properly. If you continually set off false alarms, your neighbors will
ignore the noise, and you could even be fined by local law enforcement agencies.
Operation Identification
Mark your property with your California driver’s license number
(preceded by the letters “CA”). Then put Operation I.D. decals (obtained from
your local law enforcement agency) on all windows and doors to warn burglars
that your property can be traced. Keep a complete, up-to-date inventory of your
merchandise and property: office machinery, personal belongings, etc. Put a copy
in your safe deposit box or at a location away from your home or business site.
Burglars Can Take More than Your Property
Burglars generally don’t want to run into their victims. But if
they’re surprised by someone coming home, or if they pick an occupied home,
someone may get hurt.
• If you see a screen that has been cut, a broken window, or a door that’s been
left open, don’t go in. Call the police from a neighbor’s house or a public
phone.
• If you hear a noise that sounds like someone breaking in or moving around,
quietly call the police and wait calmly until they arrive. If you can leave
safely, do so. Otherwise, lock yourself in a room, or, if the intruder enters
the room you are in, pretend to be asleep.
• Think carefully before buying a firearm for protection. Guns can be stolen and
sold to anyone, or captured and used on you or the police. If you do own a gun,
keep it locked up, with the ammunition secured separately, and learn how to use
it safely.
Look Beyond Locks and Alarms
• Join or help start a Neighborhood Watch group. If one doesn’t
exist, ask your police or sheriff’s department to help you start one.
• Look around for things that could contribute to crime—poor street lighting,
abandoned cars, vacant lots, littered playgrounds with broken equipment, homes
that elderly people have trouble maintaining. Help organize a neighborhood
cleanup/fix-up day.
• Keep written records of all furniture, jewelry and electronic products. If
possible, keep these records in a safe deposit box, fireproof safe or other
secure place. Take pictures or a video, and keep purchase information and serial
numbers if available. These help law enforcement agencies track recovered items.
• If your neighbors are ever victims, help them out. Offer sympathy and support;
help with meals, repairs, or baby-sitting.
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VACATION SAFETY
Before leaving . . .
• Install good locks on all doors and windows, and USE THEM!
• Engrave your valuables with your driver’s license number (preceded by “CA”)
and post Operation I.D. stickers in entry doors and windows.
• Never leave your house key hidden outside under a doormat, in a flower pot, or
on the ledge of a door.
• Make your house appear “lived in.” Use timers for lights and radios. Have a
neighbor or a friend pick up mail, packages and newspapers, and keep the lawns
mowed and watered.
• Leave your trip plans and an emergency phone number with trusted neighbors or
friends.
On the road
• Never carry large amounts of cash; use traveler’s checks. If you
must carry large sums of money, do not display it openly.
• Keep a record of traveler’s check numbers and your credit card numbers in a
safe place. Have the telephone numbers to call in case your checks or credit
cards are lost or stolen.
• Be aware of your surroundings and never advertise your plans to strangers;
this includes travel routes and the amount of cash you are carrying.
• Do not stop to offer help to a stranded motorist. Go to the nearest phone
booth and call for assistance.
• If you suspect someone is following you, drive to the nearest service station,
restaurant or business and call the police or sheriff’s department. If you
believe it is unsafe to get out of your car, sound your horn and flash your
lights to draw attention.
• If your car breaks down, raise the hood and attach a white flag to the
antenna.
If someone stops to help, stay in your locked car and ask them to call the
police or a garage. If you must abandon your car, keep all passengers together.
Car Security
• Always lock your car after entering or leaving it.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Check the back seat before entering your car.
• Mark your car radio and other removable car equipment with your driver’s
license number (preceded by “CA”).
• Always lock valuables out of sight, preferably in the trunk. Always carry
wallet, checkbooks and purses with you.
• Do not advertise that you are a tourist. Place maps and travel brochures in
the glove compartment.
Sight-seeing
Remember: Planning reduces your chances of becoming the victim of a
crime.
• Ask for directions at a hotel/motel on how to get to those attractions you
want to visit.
• Select tour guides carefully.
• Ask if there are any areas in town you should avoid. Stick to well-lit main
streets and public areas.
• Looking lost (stopping and looking at addresses or staring at street signs)
may make you look like an easy target for crime. If you do get lost, find an
open business and ask for directions.
• Only carry with you the cash you will need, and only small denominations.
• If older children go off separately, be sure they understand the importance of
keeping track of time and returning promptly at appointed hours.
Hotel and motel security
When staying overnight at a hotel or motel, remember the following:
• Determine the most direct route to and from your room, to the fire escapes,
elevators and nearest phone.
• When occupying or leaving your room, use all auxiliary locking devices on
doors and windows. (You may want to purchase a portable door lock for
traveling.)
• Use the door viewer to identify anyone requesting entry. Open the door only if
you are certain the person has a legitimate reason to enter your room. If in
doubt, call the hotel/motel office.
• Unpack and place belongings in the closet and dresser. Arrange your things so
you’ll know if anything is missing.
• Consider locking any electrical appliances (blow dryers, electrical shavers,
etc.) in your luggage. Suitcases should always be locked so they cannot be used
to carry your property out of your room.
• Never leave money, checks, credit cards or car keys in the room. Take them
with you.
• Place extra cash, expensive jewelry or other valuables (furs, gems, gold, or
silver) in the hotel/motel safe.
• Report any lost or stolen items to the hotel/motel management and to the
police.
• Report to the management any suspicious movements in the corridors or rooms.
Remember:
o The only way to stop crime is to get involved in crime prevention
o The only way to stop violence is to understand it!
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