10 Tips to Help Prevent Theft and Break-ins, Part 2
Now, if you have not read Part 1, we urge you to do so....These are some awesome tips to help prevent thefts and break-ins, and we want to make sure you have them all!
Tip 6: Stay Vigilant
While it may seem like a symptom of paranoia, keep your identity and any travel plans on the down low. For instance, only put your street address on your mailbox. Give away your last name, and someone could find your phone number, work place and other stats with a few mouse clicks. Before you jet off to a nice vacation, try not to openly talk about it in public because a sinister stranger could be taking note.
Also, educate yourself as well about crime in your area. Most local police stations have online crime maps that will show you precisely where reported incidents occurred around you. If you notice a lot of criminal activity, that is your signal to pay extra attention to security. Always keep an eye out of suspicious activity in your neighborhood. A little added effort can go a long way to protect your home and your safety.
Tip 7: Know Your Neighbors
Getting to know the people you live around is one of the most important safety steps you can take. Closer-knit neighborhoods generally report fewer break-ins because strangers will stick out. People are more likely to keep a casual eye on other people's property. This is how many of the Neighboorhood Watch Programs came about, and can be very effective at lowering and preventing crime. If you live in a neighborhood that has an active Neighborhood Watch Program we urge you to get involved.
Tip 8: Get Police Help
Take advantage of a recent trend in police practices called community policing. Community policing involves officers being assigned to neighborhoods where they make a greater effort to build relationships with the residences. This may include walking instead of driving through or setting up community safety workshops. If the police in your area practice this, get to know the officers who patrol your neighborhood. Police can help you stop crime before it happens, rather than just responding to it. Successful community policing has been linked to lowered crime and healthier neighborhoods; and could lower the chance of break-ins.
Tip 9: Prepare before Vacation
Most residential crimes happens between June, July, and August as people set off on summer vacations. If you are going out of town for an extended period of time, alert neighbors you trust the most and just ask that they keep an eye on your property during that time. Also, it is of utmost importance that when you leave town, do not leave signs of an empty house.
Avoid having piled up mail, over grown lawns, and newspapers strewn about your yard. These signs send surefire signals that you are miles away. Have a friend house sit or at least pick up your mail and newspapers. Also, arrange someone to cut your lawn. That way you are fully prepared, and do not have to worry about a thing while you are swimming in the sea!
Tip 10: Do NOT Leave a Spare Key Out
It may seem like a good idea to leave a spare key hidden under a flower pot or doormat in case you get locked out of your home...BUT this creates an open invitation for a burglar to walk inside without any difficulty. Someone could see you retrieve the key at some point, thus giving away your hiding place.
Instead, give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or friend. Since now in days everyone has a cell phone, if you lock yourself out you can call for help or walk over the the person's house. You could also put the spare key into a combination lock box and hide that somewhere outside. If you get into it at some point, no one will know the code but you.
Also, remember to never put any identifying information on your house keys. If you lose them, and someone finds them, it would be fairly easy to trace them back to your home and possibly break in.
These may be simple tips, but are often over looked. We are here to offer you better life solutions, however big or small they may be.
