| Think About it | | | | the door is safer for identifying visitors |
| | | | than a door chain. Sliding glass doors |
| knowing about a burglar's three worst | | | | present a special problem because they are |
| enemies -- light, time and noise -- can help | | | | easy to open, but there are locks designed |
| you protect your home from crime. A burglar | | | | for them. A broomstick in the door channel |
| won't find your home an "easy mark" if he's | | | | can help, but don't depend on it for |
| forced to work in the light, if he has to | | | | security. Deadbolt locks are best. Key locks |
| take a lot of time breaking in, and if he | | | | are available for all types of windows. |
| can't work quietly."Case" Your Place | | | | Double-hung windows can be secured simply by |
| | | | "pinning" the upper and lower frames together |
| Take the time to "case" your house or | | | | with a nail, which can be removed from the |
| apartment, just as a burglar would. Here are | | | | inside. For windows at street level, consider |
| a few questions to get you started:1, Where | | | | iron grates or grilles. For windows opening |
| is the easiest entry? | | | | onto a fire escape, metal accordion gates can |
| | | | be installed on the inside. Make the Extra |
| 2, How can you make it more burglar | | | | Effort |
| resistant?Trim trees and shrubs near your | | | | |
| doors and windows, and think carefully before | | | | Here are some "home security habits" to |
| installing a high, wooden fence around your | | | | develop and practice:A, Establish a routine |
| back yard. High fences and shrubbery can add | | | | to follow in making certain that doors and |
| to your privacy, but privacy is a burglar's | | | | windows are locked and alarm systems are |
| asset. Consider trading a little extra | | | | turned on. |
| privacy for a bit of added security. Force | | | | |
| any would-be burglar to confront a real enemy | | | | B, Avoid giving information to unidentified |
| -- light. Exterior lights, mounted out of | | | | telephone callers, or announcing your |
| easy reach, can reduce the darkness a burglar | | | | personal plans in want ads or public notices |
| finds comforting.How can you slow burglars | | | | (such as giving your address when advertising |
| down? Time is a burglar's enemy, too. A | | | | items for sale). Notify police if you see |
| burglar delayed for four or five minutes is | | | | suspicious strangers in your area. |
| apt to give up and try for another, less | | | | |
| difficult location. Simple security devices | | | | C, Handle your keys carefully. Don't carry |
| -- including such ordinary equipment as | | | | house keys on a key ring bearing your home |
| nails, screws, padlocks, door and window | | | | address or leave house keys with your car in |
| locks, grates, bars and bolts -- can | | | | a commercial parking lot. Don't hide your |
| discourage intruders and keep them from | | | | keys in "secret" places outside your home - |
| entering. How about noise? Try to make the | | | | burglars usually know where to look. |
| general prospect of robbing your home a noisy | | | | |
| job. Noise is that important third enemy of | | | | D, Remember special vacation tips. This is a |
| the burglar. Many types of alarm systems are | | | | clear giveaway that the owners are not home. |
| available, with detectors to be mounted on | | | | When going on vacation, leave blinds open in |
| doors and windows. Deciding just how much | | | | their usual position. Have mail and packages |
| home protection you need -- and can afford -- | | | | picked up, forwarded or held by the post |
| is a personal judgment. Ask your police | | | | office. Lower the sound of your telephone |
| department or sheriff to have someone survey | | | | bell so it can't be heard outside. Arrange to |
| your home and advise you about suitable | | | | have your lawn mowed or your walk shoveled. |
| protection. Are any of your valuables - such | | | | Stop newspaper deliveries. Ask a friend to |
| as a painting, a silver collection or an | | | | pick up "throwaway" newspapers and circulars. |
| antique chair-easy to see from outside? | | | | Use automatic timers to turn lights on and |
| Rearranging your furnishings might be | | | | off in your living room and bedrooms at |
| advisable if it serves to make your homeless | | | | appropriate times. Consider connecting a |
| inviting to criminals! Incidentally, should | | | | radio to a timer. Tell police and dependable |
| you ever need to report a burglary or file an | | | | neighbors when you plan to be away and join |
| insurance claim, a household inventory - a | | | | with your neighbors to keep a close watch on |
| listing of your furniture and major personal | | | | what's happening in your area - working |
| belongings - could be a valuable | | | | closely with them is a good way to prevent |
| document?Consider Some Specifics | | | | crime. |
| | | | |
| reducing the risk of break-ins is simply a | | | | ...And Remember This. Confronting a thief in |
| matter of making your home less inviting to | | | | your home is frightening.Follow this |
| burglars than other homes in the | | | | advice:1, Run away if you can and call |
| neighborhood. It's up to you. Outside doors | | | | police. |
| should be metal or solid hardwood, and at | | | | |
| least 1 3/4 inches thick. Frames must be made | | | | 2, Lock yourself in a room if you can't |
| of equally strong material, and each door | | | | escape. |
| must fit its frame securely. Remember, if it | | | | |
| is placed in a weak door, even the most | | | | 3, Cooperate and stay as calm as possible |
| efficient lock will not keep out a determined | | | | should you find yourself face-to-face with a |
| burglar. A peephole or a wide-angle viewer in | | | | burglar. |