Preventing Home Burglary

• Leave drapes and shades open. Closed drapes and shades indicate an unoccupied house.
• Put peepholes in front doors. Those with magnifying glass lens are best. You can see who's outside without opening the door. Consider door chains as well.
• Take care with your keys... Don’t leave a key under a doormat, flower pot or on a ledge.   Burglars look in these locations first. Never leave an ignition key in your car and never  put a house key on your ignition key ring.
• If you have a dog or an alarm system, display “BEWARE” signs. These deter thieves.
• Don't keep expensive jewelry at home, unless you have a secure safe. All valuables and important documents should be kept in a safe or a safe deposit box.
• Mark (engrave) valuable items with your California Driver’s License number. Televisions, Stereos, VCR's are items a thief is likely to steal. Keep a list of these items, along with their serial numbers, in a safe place.
• Secure patio doors. A steel or wooden rod in the guide channel will work. A pin type lock may also be used for added security.
• Keep your garage door down and locked. This helps protect property stored inside. While you are away, electric doors should be disconnected and padlocked.
• Make an inventory of items in your home. Keep one copy for yourself and give the other to your insurance company. Take photos of valuable items. Video tape (Camcorder) you entire home and all rooms containing your property and valuables Look into an alarm system. There are hundreds of different systems on the market