How Safe Is Your Home?

I haven't met a person yet who doesn't want to keep their family safe.  The question is "How do I do that?"  Well, step number one could be making sure your home is "burglar resistant".  On June 14, 2013 a few of our mamas learned about making our homes safer.  The Halton Regional Police Service offers a program called Project Safeguard.  We had the pleasure of meeting two Auxiliary Officers who presented us with some simple things we can do to improve the security of our homes.

The first step begins with taking away opportunity by using the 3 D's:  Deter, Detect and Delay

Deter - Check the outside of your home.  Make sure your outdoor plants are trimmed no higher than 12" above the ground.  It is also good to keep any high plants away from all windows and doors.  A good choice might be to plant hostile vegetation.  Good examples of these are rose bushes, juniper plants and gooseberry plants.

Rose bush

Juniper

Gooseberry

Remove any potential entry tools.  As pretty as river rock and decorative rocks are, they can be used to break windows so consider removing them. 

Make sure all ladders and garden tools are locked up.  This includes inside your garage.  If someone happens to get into your garage they can use your tools to break into your home.  Also, if you have a fence around your property make sure it is open fencing.  For example, chain link or a picket fence.  This way there is openings for your neighbours to see if someone is trying to hide behind it.  You need to be able to think like a criminal.  If something around your house gives you privacy, it will give a criminal concealment.

Keep your property well maintained.  By having your grass cut and free of weeds, it shows that you take pride in your home.  Keeping it landscaped actually makes a criminal think twice before hitting your home.  Use signage.  If you have an alarm system, make sure you use the signs that the company gives to you.  Got a dog?  Put up a Beware of Dog sign.  In fact why not put one up even if you don't have a dog? 

Keep the sight lines of your home open to your neighbouring properties.  If you go away, you want your neighbours to be able to see movement around your house.  They will normally be the ones to report something fishy if you give them a chance too.  Also, use lighting to protect potential target areas but make sure it is not too bright so that it blinds potential witnesses.

Detect - If all these precautions don't work and the criminal succeeds in getting through, it is a good idea to have a home alarm system.    Ask for one that has an outdoor noise maker or strobe light.  It will help catch the attention of potential witnesses.  Also, speak to the alarm company about where the siren is going.  Many place it in the basement which will not attract any outdoor attention.

Get to know your neighbours.  They can monitor and challenge any intruders.  If they see someone sitting in a car for too long or scoping out your home, they can confront them and ask if they can be of any help.  If you are going away on vacation, they can take out your garbage, move your cars or park in your driveway or pick up your mail/newspapers. 

Delay - Lock all your doors and windows to delay the intruder.  A lot of our mamas often worry about being home alone with the kids.  There is a new product available that will help make them feel a little safer called the Nightlock.  It helps barricade the door from getting kicked in.  It will also make it difficult for your little ones to open the door.

Install door chains and viewers so you can see who is at the door prior to opening it.  A dead bolt will also offer extra support.  It should have a double barrel and should be on an angle so it is harder for someone to grab on to.  The barrel should extend at least an inch into the frame.  It is NOT suggested that you use a double keyed lock.  It makes it difficult for you to get out of the house in case of an emergency.

There are plenty of options for a person to install on sliding doors and windows.  Try using door pin locks, loop locks, foot pin locks or a security bar.  If you have a crank window, remove the handle when the window is slightly open to remove any opportunity of having someone reach in to open the window further.  For sliding windows use thumb screw locks to keep the window being slid further.

Want to learn more about keeping your home secure and Project Safeguard? 

Book your appointment to have a Halton Regional Police Service Auxiliary officer visit your home to give you some additional tips.  They will come to your home and perform a one hour inspection.  Homeowners will receive a written report with recommendations for improving the overall security of their home.  Best of all, it is free of charge!  Call 905-825-4747 ext 4705 or email ProjectSafeguard@haltonpolice.ca. 

This Blog was written by Angela Hickman - mother of 2, momstown Milton member and blogger - Mommy TimeOut.