Keeping your home safe from Break and Enter (B&E) is easier than you think.
Thieves look for opportunities from home owners and tenants who are careless and
complacent when they leave their residence.
Some thieves even go as far as being so organized they will actually stake out a
neighbourhood to see when people come and go, make notes, wait and then strike.
Report suspicious vehicles and people to police. It’s not a bother to police, it’s their
job. If something doesn’t look right, it’s probably not right.
CRIME PREVENTION FACT: Most B&E's occur during the day.
The strategy in preventing a B&E is to make it really difficult for the thieves to get into
your house. The longer they are exposed, the less likely they are going hang around
and try to get inside.
A trip to the hardware store will be necessary.
If your not handy with tools contact a handy person or contractor with the knowledge to
help you.
First we’ll start at the curb on garbage day. Leaving out boxes with the name of your
new computer, stereo, or other high end items at the curb is advertising you have just
made some expensive purchases.
Nothing easier to sell or fence than new stuff. Many appliance, furniture and stereo
retailers will take away the boxes your new items arrived in. Not only is this for
recycling, but also for your security, so as not to advertise your new purchase.
If you have brought home your purchase cut the box(es) up and put them into a plain
box or a box from the grocery store. Tape the box shut and don’t put it at the curb
until the morning.
Let’s take a look around the outside of the house first and see what you can do to
make it less inviting for a thief.
| Crime Prevention Residential Security |
Garages - Tool Sheds - Your Tools
An open garage door gives thieves a chance to inventory your garage. Forgetting to
close or lock the garage door provides a thief not only with access to your garage, but
your tools and shelter to break into your house undetected.
Ladders left outside lying beside the garage or tool shed provides thieves with access
to hard to reach second story windows. Chain and padlock your ladders to something
solid.
A tools shed is a thief’s favourite place to strike, not alarmed and tucked away in the
corner of your property. When we run out of room in the garage we will put our
lawnmower, snowblower and other tools in the shed.
Most sheds are not the greatest of quality. They are economically built structures for
convenience, not security. Many of the tin type have cheap plastic handles where you
can put a padlock through. Reinforce these with a hasp & lock to reinforce them.
An open garage door gives thieves a chance to inventory your garage. Forgetting to
close or lock the garage door provides a thief not only with access to your garage, but
your tools and shelter to break into your house undetected.
Ladders left outside lying beside the garage or tool shed provides thieves with access
to hard to reach second story windows. Chain and padlock your ladders to something
solid.
A tools shed is a thief’s favourite place to strike, not alarmed and tucked away in the
corner of your property. When we run out of room in the garage we will put our
lawnmower, snowblower and other tools in the shed.
Most sheds are not the greatest of quality. They are economically built structures for
convenience, not security. Many of the tin type have cheap plastic handles where you
can put a padlock through. Reinforce these with a hasp & lock to reinforce them.
Patio Doors
Patio Doors are one of the easiest ways for a thief to gain entry to your home. A little
bit of effort on your part can stop a thief in their tracks. If they want to gain entry they
will have to smash the window and this is the type of noise that will attract a
neighbours attention.
Patio Doors are one of the easiest ways for a thief to gain entry to your home. A little
bit of effort on your part can stop a thief in their tracks. If they want to gain entry they
will have to smash the window and this is the type of noise that will attract a
neighbours attention.
| The bar in the middle of the door prevents the door from being pushed open sideways. No middle bar? You can place a piece of wood at the bottom to achieve the same result. It should fit snug. |
| To keep your patio door from being removed from it's track by being pried or lifted upwards, install three screws into the top moves freely, but cannot be lifted out of it's track. Remember to pre-drill the holes. Not sure? Call someone who knows what they're doing to help you or call a handyman/contractor. Use 3" screws. Do NOT use NAILS. |
| Window Wells Another great hiding place for thieves is the window wells around your home. Place chicken wire over the top of the window wells to stop thieves. It also helps keep out pests like skunks and raccoons. |
When landscaping your property, do not block the view to windows, doors, backyard gates and especially basement windows
and window wells. Give your neighbours a nice clear view of your property and discourage thieves by not giving them a place
to hide.
Motion Sensor Lights
A cost effective deterrent that will scare away thieves and bring attention to your property in the event someone tries to break
in.
Place motion sensor lights above doors, the garage, driveway & tool shed, but out of reach of thieves. There are many
different decorative styles that fit in with your decor. Another alternative is to place them at opposite corners of your house.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for installation.
You should use the services of a qualified licenced electrician.
LED Outdoor Lighting
With the introduction of LED lights (light emitting diodes) you can leave lights on outside for a fraction of the cost of a regular
light bulb. LED lights last thousands of hours beyond the life of a regular bulb & burn with the same brightness.
Using a timer or light sensitive cell these lights will come on at dusk and turn off in the morning. Peace of mind with very very
little maintenance.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for installation.
You should use the services of a qualified licenced electrician.
| Crime Prevention |
| Outside Your Residence |
Photos: M. Reid - Gananoque Police & Gananoque Police Service
