Home and Business Safety Tips

In general:

• Control the access points.
• Use an alarm system to make thieves think twice about targeting your home, especially if your neighbors don't have one.
• Use a safe to secure jewelry and valuables.
• Smoke detectors save lives, so install a stand-alone unit or have one linked to your alarm system and make sure it is always functioning.
• Use automatic sensor lights around the premises to make it harder for unwelcome visitors to hide.
• Have locks on windows and doors. Make sure that your Garage Roller and Tilt-a-Doors have a custom-fit secondary lock, not just the original factory lock.
• Lock any side and/or back gates to make unauthorized entry more difficult.
• Regularly trim any trees and shrubs away from buildings to make it harder for someone to hide from view.
• Stay in touch with your community so you know what’s going on. Remain informed of the crime statistics in your neighborhood and communicate with your neighbors. Community vigilance can reduce everyone’s vulnerability.
• Make sure that all locks are working properly.
• If you have lost your home keys, or given them out, get your locks re-keyed.
• Do not hide a home key outside. It will be found.
• Routinely check your alarm system to make sure that the monitoring company is receiving all of your signals.

When you are at home:

• Make sure that all locks are working properly.
• Unlock deadlocks for fire safety.
• If you have a double cylinder deadbolt, make sure it has a captive key, and use it when you are home.
• Use "vent" positions on windows to keep them locked and open for letting in fresh air.
• Don’t open your door unless you know who’s behind it, and don’t open building doors for people you don’t know.

When you are away from home:

• Lock deadbolts to prevent unauthorized access.
• Lock windows in the "closed" position; don’t leave them in the "vent" position.
• Use a timer to turn lights on and off at pre-set times during the day, creating a "lived in" appearance. Some alarm systems can be programmed to do this.
• Have a neighbor or friend check your house on a daily basis, clear your mailbox (or have your mail held at the post office), and bring in the garbage cans.

At your workplace:

• Make sure doors that aren't directly attended by a receptionist or other personnel stay locked.
• If your office has a receptionist, make sure s/he has both phone and physical back-up close by.
• Minimize hiding places by locking unused offices and storing extra furniture.
• Have easy-to-use phones with emergency buttons and make sure everyone has been trained both to use the phones and deal with emergencies.
• Stay in touch with your colleagues and workplace community so you know what’s going on.
• When you’re in the office outside of regular business hours, know who else is there and keep doors locked.
• When leaving late at night, get an escort if you can. Make sure the coast is clear before you unlock your car.

In your car:

• Check for company before you get in, and keep your doors locked.
• Plan your route ahead of time and know where you're going.
• Have your car regularly serviced, and carry equipment like an emergency kit, flashlight, flares or reflective triangles, first aid supplies and basic tools (like a tire jack) in your trunk.
• Learn how to jump start your car and change flat tires; these are the most common forms of car trouble.
• Join an auto club so you have someone reliable to call in any breakdowns. Of course, it’s always a good idea to have a cell phone charged and ready, too.
• If you have to stop, use flashers or flares to divert traffic, and raise your car's hood to indicate mechanical trouble. Stop in a well-traveled, well-lighted area if possible and be cautious of assistance offers from casual passersby. If you're not in a safe area, stay inside your vehicle with the doors locked and wait for a police car to arrive.