MINIMUM HOME SECURITY

Transcription

1 MINIMUM HOME SECURITY The 3 H's of a Secure Home: Hardware, Habits and Humans INSTALL HOME SECURITY HARDWARE Install & maintain deadbolt locks on all exterior doors, including garage service doors. Locks should have: bolt which extends 1 inch beyond door edge when in locked position case-hardened cylinder guard tie screws (secures lock onto door) on the inside IInstall & maintain security strike plates secured with 3-inch screws on the frames of all exterior doors, including garage service doors. For door locks within 3 1/2 feet of a window, install a double-cylinder deadbolt or reinforce the window the grillwork, polycarbonate, security storm door etc. (NOTE: City ordinance for multi-unit rental maynot allow double-cylinder deadbolt locks.) Permanently secure basement and garage windows with bars, grillwork, glass block, etc. (NOTE: City ordinance prohibits permanently closing windows in any room used for sleeping.) Secure overhead garage doors with electric openers, hasps with padlocks or padlocks in door tracks. Change opener code from standard setting. Cover garage windows and use blinds and/or curtains for home windows so people cannot see in, especially at night. Install and maintain highly visible house number on front and rear of home. 1/2" screws on the indoor side of the door. SINGLE-CYLINDER MAXIMUM-SECURITY STRIKE PLATE 3" screws on the outdoor side of the door. DOUBLE-CYLINDER PRACTICE HOME SECURITY HABITS Lock your doors and windows at all times. Do not leave windows open unless locked or pinned with maximum window opening of six inches. Use light timers to make home look occupied when away. Turn on front light at night to illuminate address number and deter crime. Eliminate easy opportunities for theft from your yard. Secure grills, bikes, tools and furniture. Enroll in Operation Identification. Engrave belongings and keep a record. HUMANS MAKE HOME SECURITY HAPPEN Join or start a block club and watch out for each other. Model good security habits, teaching them to your children. Consider exceeding the minimum hardware standards, i.e. security storm doors that lock from the outside, locked gates, dusk to dawn lights, secure porch etc. Request a free home security check of your home or apartment. Call your local police department. BASEMENT BAR } 6" maximum opening PINNED WINDOW

2 Home Security Habits Checklist: DO YOU LOCK UP? 1. Are your doors locked while you are in the house? 2. Is your front door locked while you are in the backyard (and vice versa)? 3. Do you lock your doors when you leave the house for even a few minutes? 4. Do you pin your windows when you leave your house? 5. Are your basement windows locked or permanently secured with screws or bars? 6. Do you keep your garage doors closed and locked at all times? DOES YOUR HOME LOOK OCCUPIED? 1. When you are gone for the evening, do you leave an outdoor and an indoor light on? 2. Do you leave a radio, TV, etc., on when your home is not occupied at night or during the day? 3. When you go on vacation do you: Have a neighbor watch your house? Move drapes, shades, and blinds? Mow the lawn/shovel snow? Collect mail, newspapers? DO YOU PRACTICE YARD SECURITY? 1. Do you keep valuables such as bicycles and lawn equipment locked up and out of sight? 2 Do you lock up tools and ladders after you use them? 3. Do you keep shrubbery and bushes well trimmed? 4. If you have a fence, can your neighbors see through it or over it? 5. If you have exterior lights, do they prevent shadows where burglars could hide at night? DO YOU PRACTICE OVERALL SECURITY? 1. Is the Minneapolis emergency number 911 by the phone? 2. Do you have a block map listing neighbors names, phone numbers, and addresses by your phone? 3. Do you know how to report suspicious activity or crimes to the police? Do your children know how to report? 4. Do you ask strangers at your door for proper identification before talking to them? 5. Do your children tell strangers Mommy (or Daddy) is busy rather than Mommy (or Daddy) is not home? 6. If someone came to the door needing help, would you make the phone call to the police (or other necessary calls) rather than letting the person come in? ¾

3 Security for Residents of Apartment Buildings 1. When you move into a new building request that the lock/cylinder be changed so previous tenants cannot enter. 2. Use only a first initial and last name on your mailbox and /or buzzer. 3. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. 4. Participate in the apartment club or watchforce or organize one. 5. Never let a stranger follow you through your building s security door. 6. If your apartment doorbell rings, never buzz someone in until you have identified them. 7. If a stranger tells you they are going to visit one of your neighbors, tell them they have to wait until that neighbor lets them in. 8. Never prop open security doors. 9. If someone you don t know is standing in the lobby fumbling for keys, don t assume they live there. They may be trying to trick you into letting them in. 10. Never give out copies of your building key, or let someone use it. It only takes a few seconds to make a copy of a key. 11. Keep all doors to your unit locked at all times, even when you go to the laundry room. Be sure to keep terrace and balcony doors locked. 12. Make sure all exterior windows have security devices if the sills are within 24 feet of ground level or are accessible by means of balconies, fire escapes, porches, etc. 13. Call 911 when you see illegal or suspicious activity, and then report it to your landlord. 14. Consider purchasing a portable alarm system through a local electronics store. 15. Do not pay rent or other housing charges in cash. Request proof of payment. 16. Plan an escape in case of fire. 17. Never open your door until you know who is there. Use a peephole. 18. Don't rely on a chain latch for security. 19. Be cautious in and around elevators. If you are suspicious of another passenger, wait for the next elevator.

4 SECURING SLIDING GLASS DOORS AND WINDOWS PREVENTING FORCED SLIDING PINNING (PREVENTING MOVEMENT ON BOTH TRACKS) Drill Drill bit Nail 1. Find a nail long enough to go through the inner frame and halfway through the outer frame. (See Figure A.) 2. Find a drill bit that will make a hole just large enough for this nail to rest in. 3. Drill a hole at a downward angle through the inner frame and halfway through the outer frame. 4. Insert the nail in the hole. (See Figure B.) PREVENTING MOVEMENT ON INSIDE TRACK - WINDOW BAR Rectangular piece of wood Saw Tape measure Pencil or pen 1. Measure distance from edge of inside door to the end of the track. 2. Measure width of the track. 3. With these measurements, determine size of wood to use. 4. Cut the wood to the proper length. 5. Insert in the track, making sure it fits snugly. (See Figure C.)

5 PREVENTING MOVEMENT ON AN OUTSIDE TRACK Slide bolt or locking antisliding block Drill Screwdriver Screws 1. See manufacturer s instructions. ANTI-SLIDING BLOCK SLIDE BOLT PREVENTING PRYING SCREWS Drill 1/4" drill bit Screwdriver Three 1-1/4" large head sheet metal screws per pane 1. Slide window into open position. 2. Drill three holes inside the upper track. (See Figure A.) 3. Install the screws with their heads protruding straight down so that the sliding window just clears them. (See Figure B.) 4. Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 for other half of window. Figure B Figure A

6 PREVENTING PRYING KEYED SLIDE BOLTS Slide bolt Drill Screwdriver Screws Figure A 1. Install at top of track, following manufacturer s directions. (See Figure A.) KEYED SLIDE BOLT SLIDING GLASS WINDOW Example A C Exterior sliding glass doors and windows have a number of security problems in common. They are both built alike. Here is an example of some of the solutions for securing your sliding glass doors and windows. A. Screws, so window or door cannot be lifted out of it s track. B. Pin in drilled hole secures against forced sliding. C. Keyed slide bolt, when locked, cannot be opened without a key. D. Make sure bar fits snugly and cannot be popped out of track by an intruder. E. Have special locks installed. Key operated locks using a deadbolt or pin mechanism offer the best security. E B D

7 USING DOUBLE-CYLINDER DEADBOLT LOCKS DOUBLE CYLINDER DEADBOLT LOCK Double-cylinder deadbolt locks require a key to open from the inside. When you install these locks, Community Crime Prevention/SAFE strongly recommends that you: 1. Keep a key in or near the lock when you are home so you can exist easily in an emergency. 2. Remove the inside keys when you are away. If you follow these recommendations, double-cylinder deadbolt locks will provide you with good home security. In addition to all the strengths of other deadbolt locks, double-cylinder locks: ¾ 1. Prevent someone from unlocking the door if they break glass in or near your door and reach in. 2. Stop a burglar who has entered a window in your house from leaving by the door. This means it will be difficult for the burglar to take items from your home.

8 Want a bright idea? Turn on your outside lights! Protect your family, property, and neighborhood by turning on your front door and yard lights to discourage vandalism and burglaries. It s inexpensive compared to a burglary that could result in a loss of hundreds or even thousands of dollars! With increased lighting, you ll be more likely to note suspicious behavior and notify 911. You ll be able to welcome guests and identify strangers. Lighting can be installed that will detect motion in your yard. You will see people, but they can t see you. Light your garage and storage sheds to deter break-ins. To help you get to know your neighbors and organize a block club, call your local police department. Remember: Criminals like the dark, so make sure your yard has lots of light!