Barrington Hills Police Department

Transcription

1 Barrington Hills Police Department Home Security Checklist Use this as a guide as you check your home for safety measures. Boxes marked indicate areas where you could take action to improve your home s security. This checklist is only a guide for steps you can take to decrease the likelihood that you or your home is targeted. It is not an all inclusive or exhaustive list. Exterior Doors All doors are locked at night and every time you we leave the house even if it s just for a few minutes. Doors feature a wide angle peep-hole at doors where visitors are admitted. Doors are solid hardwood or metal-clad. Doors are hinged so the pin connecting the two hinge pieces is on the inside. Sliding glass doors are locked by placing a pole or board in the floor track to prevent it from being opened from the outside. Sliding glass doors have been modified to prevent it from being lifted up and removed from the track. If there are glass panels in or near our doors, they are reinforced in some way as to prevent them from being shattered. All entryways have a working, key entry lock and sturdy deadbolt lock installed into the frame of the door. (1 Inch Minimum / 2 ½ to 3 Inch Recommended with Screws 2 ½ to 3 Inch in length) Spare keys are kept with a trusted neighbor, not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge or in a mailbox. tes:

2 Garage / Garage Door Security The door leading from the attached garage to the house (interior garage door) is solid wood or metal-clad and protected with a quality keyed door lock and deadbolt. Interior garage door is kept locked when we are not home. The overhead garage door has a lock so that we do not rely solely on the automatic door opener to provide security. Overhead garage doors are kept closed at all times. Automatic garage door(s) are unplugged while on vacation. Exterior side garage door is solid wood or metal-clad and protected with a quality keyed door lock and deadbolt. Exterior side garage door is kept locked when we are not home. tes: Protecting Windows and other Points of Entry Every window in the house has an adequate primary and secondary locking mechanism in good operating condition. Windows are always locked even when they are opened a few inches for ventilation. Second floor windows (or doors) are kept closed when away and do not appear or obviously unlocked. Ground floor windows have no cracks or broken glass. Other openings to my home such as skylights, crawl spaces or vents are protected. Basement widows are secured by security grates, grilles or bars. tes:

3 Outdoor Security Shrubs and bushes are trimmed so there is no place for someone to hide. There are no dark areas around our house, garage or yard that would hide prowlers. Every outside door has adequate lighting to illuminate visitors. Floodlights are used appropriately to ensure effective illumination. Outdoor lights are on in the evening whether someone is home or not, or a photocell or motion-sensitive system has been installed. House number (and Fire Grid sign) is clearly displayed so police and other emergency vehicles can find the house quickly. Electrical circuit box is adequately locked or secured to prevent tampering with power. Phone lines / boxes are underground to prevent tampering or cutting. All outdoor storage sheds, pool houses or other exterior buildings are securely locked when not in use. Personal property left outside is secured and not visible to the road. Ladders are put away and secured. Vehicles that are left in the driveway are secured and locked. Keys are not left in the ignition. Valuables or other items of interest are not left in vehicles that are parked in the driveway. Property is surrounded by a security fence. Property has a driveway gate installed. Driveway gate is always kept closed at all times. tes:

4 Security Alarm System Home has a Security Alarm System installed with an inside and outside audible sounding alarm. Security Alarm System has a wireless backup system. Security System includes Video surveillance inside and outside of the home. Security Alarm System is monitored by Alarm Company. Security Alarm System is direct-wired to the Barrington Hills Police Department. Security Alarm System has been check for proper operation within the past 30 days (Monthly Checks) When home, the Security Alarm System is played in Stay Mode. When away from home, the Security Alarm System in placed in Away mode. All windows have security sensors. A trusted neighbor or friend is a key holder and knows how to operate my alarm system. Property has signs indicating Alarm System is Present Property has Trespassing - Soliciting signs visibly posted at the front of the driveway. Whether or not I have a dog, Beware of Dog signs are visibly posted at the front of the driveway. tes:

5 Personal Property and Belongings Our home (property) inventory is up to date and includes pictures. A complete copy is kept in a secure location or out of the house. Valuable items, such as televisions, stereos, computers and other electronic equipment are inscribed with personal identification number/marks (DL #) Our home has a safe or we use as safety deposit box for extremely valuable items or cash. Firearms are stored unloaded and locked in a safe, and secured with trigger guard locks. There is not a lot of cash in kept inside our home. Valuable jewelry and other items are insured, and if necessary itemized through an insurance company. An inventory of all credit cards and financial numbers are kept in secure location or out of the house. tes: When You Go On a Trip Do you use the Police Departments House Watch Program? Do you have a key holder check on your home daily? Do you leave your home with a lived in appearance? Do you stop your mail and/or newspapers? I do not leave messages on my work voic or unavailability reply messages on my ? Do you notify neighbors that you will be out of town?

6 Do you have a key holder that will respond if your alarm is activated? Do you leave lights on random timers throughout the home? tes: Remember, this check list is designed to help you identify vulnerable areas in your home. Burglary is a crime of opportunity!! If you can reduce the opportunity, then you reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Keep your guard up and take a critical look at your home security every three to four months. Do not become lax or you may be a burglar s next victim. Remember, Crime Prevention is a community effort and starts with you and your home. Law Enforcement cannot do it alone! Help us make Barrington Hills a safe community to live, work and visit. Barrington Hills Police Department 112 Algonquin Road Barrington Hills, Illinois Fax Emergency 911