| Unfortunately, your home can never be | | | | 1. Do you avoid telling strangers your daily |
| completely immune to crime. However, taking | | | | routines? |
| preventive measures can significantly reduce the | | | | 2. Have children been told not to discuss family |
| risk. It is very important to be aware of your | | | | business with strangers? |
| surroundings and do everything in your power to | | | | 3. If a fence would increase your protection, do |
| secure the safety of your home. Remember that | | | | you have one? |
| your home does not refer only to your | | | | 4. Are all gates in good repair and properly |
| possessions-- it also refers to your family. If you | | | | locked? |
| protect your home, you ultimately protect your | | | | 5. Are all doors equipped with good locks? |
| family. It is important to read these security facts | | | | 6. Are all exterior doors of solid core |
| to become better educated on home theft | | | | construction? |
| characteristics. Also, it is important to try | | | | 7. Do exposed hinges have non-removable pins? |
| answering the questions that are being asked | | | | 8. If hinge pins are removable, are doors |
| below. Every "No" answer indicates a | | | | "pinned" to prevent removal? |
| weakness that could help a criminal. The more | | | | 9. If valuables must be kept at home, are they |
| “No” answers that you can convert | | | | stored in a safe or security closet? |
| to “Yes” answers, the more | | | | 10. If a home safe is used, does it weigh more |
| protected your household becomes. Consider | | | | than 750 lbs.? |
| consulting with certified residential locksmith | | | | 11. If not, is it anchored in place so that it cannot |
| services in your area to help you review these | | | | be carried off? |
| questions and assess your household security | | | | 12. If valuables must be kept at home, are they |
| needs. | | | | stored in a safe or security closet? |
| Facts | | | | 13. If a home safe is used, does it weigh more |
| 1. Most crimes happen because someone gave a | | | | than 750 lbs.? |
| criminal an opportunity to act. | | | | 14. If not, is it anchored in place so that it cannot |
| 2. Little planning goes into most burglaries. | | | | be carried off? |
| 3. No neighborhood (rich or poor) is safe from | | | | 15. Have you considered intercom system |
| crime. | | | | installation? |
| 4. Professional burglars are very rare. | | | | These facts and questions are presented here to |
| 5. Most burglars are neighborhood juveniles, and | | | | help you improve your behavior in order to |
| therefore, can be deterred. | | | | prevent theft. These facts are not intended to |
| 6. Most burglars are never caught. | | | | address every possible crime threat, but rather to |
| 7. Most home burglaries occur in the daytime. | | | | show you some of the more common security |
| 8. Most burglars enter through unlocked doors or | | | | problems and solutions. It's up to you to take |
| windows. | | | | these facts and build a personal protection |
| 9. It takes less than two minutes for the average | | | | program that fits the special needs of your home, |
| burglar to get into your home. | | | | family, and lifestyle. If you have questions about |
| 10. If you can delay his entry for just three | | | | crime prevention and personal security or need |
| minutes, most burglars will give up and leave. | | | | help with a specific security problem, contact |
| Ask yourself these questions: | | | | residential locksmith services in your area. |