All SECURITY TIPS

INFORMATION THAT CAN KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE

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* First time homeowner?  Along with all the freedom and sense of accomplishment at owning your own home comes the responsibility of making it secure.  Instead of leaving it all to the folks or the super, it is now down to you to protect your property and keep it safe from intruders.  We have prepared the following helpful hints and pointers to get you started (or to help the more established homeowner secure their property), but if you have any further concerns once you have read through, your local crime-prevention organization should be available for advice.

* Get to know your neighbors; they will be more predisposed to keep an eye on your property and get involved when needed if you have formed a relationship with them.  A person you greet on a regular basis is much more likely to alert you to any suspicious behavior on your property than a stranger would, especially if they are confident you would do the same for them.  

* Supply your nearest neighbors with emergency contact details, and notify them when you are going away so they will be more alert to any unusual activity in your home, such as lights on at night when they know you to be on vacation.


* However, do not rely on your neighbors to observe and respond to unusual activity on your property.  It is the job of the professional burglar to be as unnoticeable and create as little disturbance as possible, so you should make your home as secure as if you had no neighbors for miles!

* Keep abreast of what is happening in your area: read your local newspaper regularly for any information regarding crime in your neighborhood, and consider enlisting in a neighborhood association or volunteering for your local neighborhood watch.  Not only is this a civic thing to do, but becoming more involved in your community will cement relationships with your neighbors and keep you in the loop regarding local crime.

* Never discuss vacation plans, travel schedules, or travel routines where you may be overheard by prying ears, and be very cautious revealing personal information - less is always more when it comes to details that could aid burglars.

* Renting a post office box offers an extra level of protection for the person working from home; this allows you to refrain from listing your home address and phone number on your business stationery.

* Never assume that yours is a crime free neighborhood; thieves and intruders can strike anywhere.  And do not imagine that if you have been burglarized, you won’t have the bad luck to be hit again.  If your home was known to be vulnerable, it may be re targeted, either by the same burglar, or by his associates.

* Never enter a building that appears to have been broken into!  Use a neighbor’s phone to call the police if you do not have a cell phone with you, and wait outside for assistance.

* Keep an eye out for the elderly of your community, as thieves, like predators, tend to prey on the weaker members of society.

* If your property has a fire door, make sure that it is used appropriately: to allow safe exit from a building in case of fire, not unhindered entry to burglars!  The door should be kept shut and the mechanisms should be in working order.

* If you live in a multi-occupant dwelling, remember that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.  (YOU ARE THE WEAKEST LINK.  GOODBYE)  Try to impress upon all the members of your household that security and safety are vitally important, but do not rely on others to keep you personal possessions safe.  Invest in a safe and/or a secure lock for your room door(s) in order to keep your belongings as safe as possible.

* A more high-tech, state-of-the-art way of protecting your home when you are away from it is to install a security robot.  This innovative technology provides mobile interior video surveillance and audio capability so you can view different areas of your home via the internet as the mobile surveillance unit, or robot, travels from room to room.