SECURITY TIPS

Safety at Home:

• Change all locks when moving into a new house or apartment
• Make sure every outside door has a sturdy, well-installed deadbolt lock. Keys in the knob locks are not enough
• Only give keys to a few trusted people and keep a list of who you've given them to
• Do not leave spare keys in obvious places like under flowerpots or welcome mates. Instead leave an extra key with a neighbor you trust
• Do not have identifying tags on your key ring that provides thieves with personal information such as your name or address
• Consider investing in locks with keys that cannot be easily duplicated such as Medeco High Security Locks so you are sure copies of keys are not made without your knowledge

• Think about investing in an alarm system. Remember that alarm systems do not offer any protection (simply notification or noise) and should be considered only after strong doors and locks are in place
• Choose solid wood, fiberglass or metal doors for outside doors
• Be sure that the door frame is solid and cannot be spread without considerable effort
• Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors so you can see who is outside without opening the door. Door chains break easily and don't keep out intruders
• Make sure back doors and the doors that connect your garage to you home are solid and secured with high security deadbolt locks
• Use locks on windows. Don't forget garage windows.

MORE »