Home security

Whether you live alone or with others, there may be times when you worry about your safety. To increase the safety and security of your home, follow these precautions:

• All outside doors should be made of either metal or solid wood and have deadbolt locks.
• All outside doors should have a wide-angle door viewer (also known as a "peep hole") so you can see who is outside without opening the door.
• Never open your door to strangers.
• All outside entrances should have good lighting. Think about installing dusk-to-dawn or motion-sensor lights. Well-lit areas make it hard for intruders to find a place to hide.
• Always keep doors and windows locked, even if you are only leaving your house for a few minutes. This includes any door leading from the garage into the house.
• Secure a sliding door with additional locks or other devices to prevent it from being lifted out of the track.
• Make sure that bushes and trees are trimmed away from the house to prevent hiding places, especially near doors and windows.
• Think about installing an alarm system. Added protection may be provided by posting burglar alarm notices outside your home. A dog can also be an excellent alarm. Barking may scare off an intruder.
• Always have your keys ready to use quickly as you move toward your door. Park your car as close as possible to the entrance to your home. If you park in an attached garage with a remote control door device, close the garage door before you get out of the car.
• Report suspicious persons in the neighborhood to police.
• Do not keep a loaded gun in the house. An intruder may use it against you.
• Never leave a message on your answering machine that says you are not home.
• If you are going on vacation, think about using automatic timers to turn lights on and off at set times.

Call your local police department and ask if there is a Neighborhood Watch program in your neighborhood. If so, join it. If not, you may want to help start one. In addition, ask whether your police department offers free home safety inspections.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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