Keeping Your Home Secure in Elgin, IL
According to the National Crime Prevention Council, burglars generally will not spend more than one minute trying to get into a home.
- Unlocked doors and windows are the number one way to get easy access to break in, so check the locks. A high quality door frame and lock can withstand a lot of abuse before giving away, so make sure you have a solid opening to start with. Burglars avoid taking too much time to get inside or creating a lot of noise that may be overheard. Front doors can use help from a rim lock or a surface mounted deadbolt. Chain locks can work, but cannot be unlocked with a key from outside.
- Sliding glass doors are an easier target than swing doors, as once the lock is broken, the burglar can either slide them open or lift them off the track. Placing a piece of wood like a broom stick in the track and the door won't slide! Remove the handle from crank out first floor windows and keep slider windows closed the same way as sliding glass door with a piece of wood in the track.
- Use a timer on interior lights to go off at random times in different rooms to create the illusion of being at home. Porch lights and garage lights that are on timers can also help. Motion detector lights are useful for deterring intruders, but only at night.
- Let your neighbors know your schedule, especially if you plan on being away on vacation or out of town. Be sure to have your mail held at the post office and newspaper delivery put on hold. If you are gone for more than a week, a lawn service can keep your yard in good shape and is worth the expense of making the house look occupied.
- Get a dog. A watchdog (or even a loud barker) can attract attention to an otherwise quiet home that a burglar would likely pass by in favor of a home without a pet.
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