We’ll offer common sense advice on how to improve your home or business security. When choosing a home or business to break into, thieves often look for an easy target that offers minimal resistance and detection. If your home or business has been broken into or if you want to ensure you make your home or business a “hard target” to deter thieves, call Community Policing at 250-561-3366 to book your free security assessment.
Home Security Tips
Crime prevention is a community effort.
By working together, neighbors can increase the safety and security of their homes and neighborhood.
Following are tips to improve the security of your residence. For more information, please contact your local Community Policing office at 561-3366 to see what programs are available.
- Get to know your neighbors, their habits and schedules.
- Become involved in Block Watch, Crime Free Multi-Housing or other crime prevention programs.
- Apartment dwellers can join resident groups and be proactive in your apartment community.
- Report suspicious activity to the police immediately.
Make Your Home A "Hard Target" To Deter Theives
When choosing a home to break into, thieves often look for an easy target that offers minimal resistance and detection.
- Trim trees and shrubs so doors and windows are visible to a neighbor and from the street.
- Store tools and ladders in a locked sheds or garage to prevent use by thieves.
- Consider a home alarm and place stickers on windows and doors.
- Don’t hide keys around the exterior of your home.
- Install your house number on the front and rear of your house.
- Ensure your house numbers are large, visible from the street and well lit at night.
- Fencing defines your property, but ensure it doesn’t provide cover for criminals.
Doors and Windows
Provide thieves the most accessible entry points to homes so security measures should be focused on these areas.
- Equip all exterior doors with wide-angle door viewers.
- Install dead-bolt locks with a minimum 2.5cm (1”) throw on all exterior doors. Don’t rely on night-chains.
- Use 3” screws in hinges and striker plates.
- Reinforce windows and sliding glass doors by installing anti-lift devices, security film, pins auxiliary locks, etc.
- Pay special attention to windows within 1m of an exterior door.
- Place a length of doweling in the lower track between the door/window and frame.
- Bolt window mounted air conditioners in place on the inside of the house.
- When selecting window protection, particularly bars, ensure the windows can still be opened in case of fire.
- Doors must allow people unrestricted exit from a building. Doors with double cylinder locks (keyed both sides) are not permitted by the Fire Commissioners Office.
Lighting
Provides additional protection to doors and windows. Thieves don’t like to be seen.
- Use chronological or photosensitive times and/or sensors on exterior lights.
- Mount lights out of reach so they can’t be tampered with.
- All entranceways and window areas should be well lit.
Apartment Building
Require special strategies for home security.
- Do not put your salutation (i.e., Miss, Mr., etc.), or first name on the intercom panel or mailbox.
- Request windows be installed on doors to stairways, parking lot and common areas.
- Remove labels from doors that identify common areas.
- Don’t admit anyone you don’t know into your building.
- Report any malfunctioning doors or lights.
- Don’t store valuables in storage lockers.
- When entering or leaving the parking garage watch the gate close to ensure no one enters.
- If you see a suspicious person in your building, call police.
Leaving For Vacation
Take extra precautions. Thieves will target homes that look unoccupied.
- Tell trusted neighbors that you will be away and ask them to watch your home.
- Tell them how they can reach you and when you expect to return.
- Don’t put your home address on luggage tags.
- Turn your phone ringer down.
- Forward calls to a cell or family member so callers won’t know you’re away.
- Put lights, radio, and/or TV on timers.
- Cancel all deliveries and have someone pick up flyers and perform seasonal maintenance.
- Have a friend or relative spend some time at your home every few days and park a vehicle in your driveway.
- Some insurance policies require frequent checks of your home for the coverage to remain valid.
- Disable garage door openers.
Be Prepared
Regardless of how secure your home is.
- Keep seldom-used valuables and documents in a safety deposit box.
- Don’t store valuables all in one place, particularly in your bedroom; it is the first place thieves look.
- Record serial numbers of all appliances and electronics and mark your possessions with you driver’s license number and province.
- Photographs and videos of your possessions are helpful in recovery.
- Contact your local Community Policing office at 561-3366 for more information and to borrow marking tools.
Take Steps To Keep You Safe
- Use a peephole to see who is at your door before you open it.
- Ask police, service technicians, etc. for identification before allowing them into your home.
- If a stranger asks to use your phone, don’t allow them to enter. Offer to make the call yourself.
- Don’t indicate your first name or salutation in the phonebook or on your answering machine.
- Draw your curtains at night.
If You Think Your Home Has Been Broken Into
Stop and think before you act.
- Don’t go in. Go to a neighbor’s house and call the police.
- Tell your neighbors so they can take precautions.
If You Are Home And Someone Breaks In
Remember your life is more valuable than your possessions. Following these tips may prevent you from being harmed.
- Call 911, give your location, and stay on the line. Give the operator as much information as you are able.
- Try to get out of the house.
- If you can’t get out of the house, lock yourself in a room.
- Make noise. Knowing you’re home may scare the thief away.
- Remember as many details about the person as possible so you can give a good description to the police.