In The House

Lastly, what does the inside of your house tell a burglar? Burglaries usually happen when no one is at home. So it's important to make the house look "lived in" - or as if someone is there. You can use several visual cues to achieve this.

1. Are some of your inside lights on automatic timers so the house never looks dark and empty?
2. Are your shades or curtains drawn in the evening so those passersby cannot see your belongings?
3. Do you leave a radio or television on while out, so that sound is emanating from the house?
4. Do you rent a safety deposit box to store valuables that you do not often use?
5. Do you engrave items such as television, computers, VCRs, etc. with your name or some other form of identification?
6. If you have a safe at home is it appropriate for what you are protecting (fire safe for documents, money safe for cash and small valuables)?

Consider make a video tape of the entire contents of your home and describe items and their value/identifying characteristics as you record. Keep the tape in a safe deposit box or other off sight location. Along with a video tape compile a written inventory of your valuables including the Make, Model and Serial Number. Have a phone close to your bed should you need to summon help at night.

One of the most important safety steps you can take is to have your HOUSE NUMBER CLEARLY DISPLAYED so that in time of need, Emergency Services can locate your house no matter the time of day or night. Provide the dispatcher with the nearest cross street to your house to further aid in your home being quickly located.