The risk of being burglarized can be greatly reduced by taking simple steps to make your home more difficult to enter and less enticing  to would-be burglars

Burglary basics:

¶     Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in. See if your house is safe by clicking here for the burglary prevention checklist.
 

¶     Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.
 

¶     Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
 

¶     Keep your garage door closed and locked.
 

¶     Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
 

¶     Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
 

¶     Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
 

¶     Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
 

¶     Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
 

¶     Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.

If Your Home Is Broken Into:

If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:

¶     Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.
 

¶     Use a neighbor's phone or cell phone to call police.
 

¶     Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
 

¶     Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
 

¶     Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.