Home Security Resources

50 Ways to Enhance Home Safety and Security
These home safety and security tips include: do not hide keys outside, lock all entrances, install double cylinder dead bolt locks if doors have glass panels nearby, consider auxiliary locks, destroy all envelopes that reflect your name and personal information, maintain friendly relations with neighbors, arrange for an unlisted telephone number, be alert to your surroundings, keep shrubs and trees near the house trimmed low, below window level, keep doors locked, vary your transportation routes, keep a cell phone on you, secure any weapons in the house, keep a cell phone in the bedroom, participate in a neighborhood watch, park in well lit areas, install a home alarm, keep portable fire extinguishers handy, conduct fire drills, travel with a companion, remain vigilant, and check for suspicious persons in your area.

Tips to Keep Burglars from Targeting Your House
Crooks often find it easy to break into homes, but there are simple, inexpensive solutions to keep you and your home safe. For just a few dollars and a few minutes, you can install a safety bar on your sliding glass door. Even a sawed-off broom handle lying in the door track could help keep intruders away. Or you can drill a small hole across the track of the door so you could insert a nail that would help keep crooks out. Article suggests trying to break into your own home to see how secure it is. Includes links to stopping burglars, 10 ways to keep your home burglary free, safety home tips, 30 police tips, and home safety tips.

Advise on Identity Theft Security
Some burglars are now targeting more than just jewelry and electronics. This class of thieves wants to break into your house to steal your identity - your social security number, credit card numbers, or any other information that enables them to commit fraud or theft. Whenever you go on vacation or leave your house for an extended period of time, it's important to protect your computer and keep important documents safe. Includes home security tips for vacationers including: 1) examine your house from the street and make sure no valuables, like expensive electronics or artwork, are visible from the street, 2) if a passerby can see your belongings, so can criminals, 3) lock and fasten all doors and windows, 4) doors should have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate, 5) secure sliding glass doors; place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track to prevent an intruder from forcing the door open, 6) always lock the door to your attached garage, 7) make it appear that you're home - use timers on lights, radios, and televisions, 8) keep the perimeter of your home well lighted; you can do this by installing low-voltage outdoor lighting, 9) never leave clues that you are away; ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers, or ask for them to be held, 10) don't let mail sit in your mailbox; there could be credit card and bank statements that contain information an identity thief would love to have, and 11) maybe ask a neighbor to park in your driveway so it appears someone is home.