Protecting Your Home
The
following concepts are provided for your consideration. Since
there are always variables which will effect these general strategies,
Association Times does not suggest that these strategies are
appropriate for every particular situation.
Appearance
of Occupancy
Maintaining
an appearance of occupancy, even when your residence is vacant,
is important not only to remain in compliance with the association
covenants, but is essential to reducing the likelihood of burglary
attempts. Timers which automatically regulate the interior
lighting of a home can create such a deception. Timers
should be used while on vacation, when you are out to dinner
or even during the day while you are at work. One type
of automatic timer has a 24-hour dial and allows you to set an
on-and-off time to coincide with normal light usage in your home. These
timers simply plug into the wall, and the lamp you want to use
is plugged into the timer. For the most realistic deception,
several timers and lamps should be used to simulate occupancy. For
instance, a radio and lamp in the living room might be on from
6:30pm to 11:00pm; at 11:00pm a lamp might go on in the bathroom
until 11:30pm; then a bedroom lamp would be on from 11:30pm to
midnight. This would indicate to anyone watching the house
that it was occupied and the residents were going to bed. During
the day, leave drapes and shades in their normal position – the
way you have them when at home.
Do not advertise
your vacation plans
Inform
one or two persons of your vacation plans --- a trusted neighbor
who can keep an eye on things while you are gone. Have
them pick up your newspaper and other deliveries. Do not
forget to arrange to have the lawn mowed in order to maintain
a lived-in appearance.
House
Numbers
Make
sure that police, fire, and paramedics can find your home in
a time of emergency. Have your house numbers clearly mounted
on a high contrast background (with Association approval).
Exterior
Lighting
Again,
subject to the association's design guidelines, exterior lighting
is extremely important in residential security. Each exterior
doorway should be lighted to prevent a burglar from concealing
his/her activities. Yards and windows should be lit to
prevent concealment. Yard lights and entrance lights can
be equipped with sensors which will turn the light on at dusk
and off at dawn.
Landscaping
Keep
doorways, windows and porches clear when planting bushes and
flowers. Remember that bushes that provide you with privacy
also give a burglar a place to hide. Prune large trees. Low
limbs can provide second story access. A well-maintained
lawn is a very effective clue that someone is at home and cares
about their home. Plan your landscaping with both privacy
and security in mind. Walks and driveways should be kept
free from obstacles that offer concealment to intruders.
Know
who is there
All
homeowners should be able to observe a caller before opening
the door. Do not allow strangers in your house. Burglars
sometimes try to come into a home in order to assess valuables
and security measures for a planned burglary when you are not
at home. Ask repairmen and others who claim to have business
to show identification. If you have the slightest doubt,
telephone their office, getting the number from your directory. If
there is an emergency and someone asks to use your telephone
to call an ambulance or tow truck, ask them to wait outside your
home while you place the call.
Emergency
phone numbers
Police,
fire, and paramedic emergency telephone numbers should be listed
on each telephone in your home. Telephone stickers with
these numbers are available from the police, sheriff, or fire
departments. In addition, if you have a babysitter for
your children, make sure he/she is aware of what to do in an
emergency situation. Write down your address next to the
emergency telephone numbers. If he/she needs immediate
assistance, they will be able to tell emergency vehicles what
location they are calling from.
If
you interrupt a burglar
Do
not seek confrontation with a burglar. If you come home
to find a door or window unexpectedly open, do not go in. Instead,
go quickly to a nearby home and phone the police. If you
hear or see a prowler in or around your home, do not investigate
it yourself. Call the police. Never struggle with
a burglar unless you are clearly in danger of serious physical
harm and forced to defend yourself.
Neighborhood
Watch
Neighborhood
watch is a program of mutual assistance among neighbors aimed
at reducing crime in the community at the grass roots level. It
involves getting to know one's neighbors and introducing them
to the concept that good neighbors working together can look
out for one another's interests
Association Times' Staff Writer
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