1. When buying, building or renovating your home, make sure all roofing materials are fire resistant.
2. Never leave candles or other open flames burning unattended.
3. Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash.
4. Don’t leave hot irons, or burning stovetops and outdoor grills unattended while in use. Double-check that you’ve turned them off after use.
5. Regularly clear and dispose of dry or dead vegetation in your yard or areas near your home.
6. Make sure the lid stays on your trash can, and store firewood and other combustibles away from your home.
7. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.
8. Don’t have deadbolts that lock with an inside key. You need to get out fast if a fire starts. A missing key could trap you inside. Also, don’t nail windows shut. Make sure they open easily.
9. Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.
10. Be sure your street address is visibly posted so that firefighters can identify your home in the event of an emergency.

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1. Get a home security system.

It should come as no surprise that the number one tool for crime prevention in your home is a home security system. When confronted with a functioning alarm system, burglars commit crimes elsewhere. If you’re serious about protecting your home and family, purchasing a home security system should be your first move. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune either; some companies will give you the home security system for free, you just have to pay for the monthly monitoring.

2. Secure your windows.

Broken or cracked windows are an open invitation to thieves. If you have any in your home, replace or repair them as soon as possible. Even broken windows on a second or third level put you at risk, as thieves can and will find a way up there. It’s also smart to keep obvious valuables away from windows, so as to not tempt thieves on the prowl.

3. Shed some light on the situation.

Keeping your outside entryways lit provides you with security when you return home late at night and also has a big effect on home security. All exterior lighting is not created equal, however. Motion-sensing lights can be triggered by even the slightest motion, like an animal or tree branch. Opt for heat-sensing lights instead, which only turn on when they detect human body temperature. Also, low wattage lights tend to be better than the high wattage ones, as they don’t cast as many dark shadows where thieves can hide.

4. Maintain your yard.

Overgrown trees and shrubs are handy hiding places for thieves and branches can be used to climb into windows, so make sure you keep up your yard and trim trees back from the house. You can use landscaping to your advantage as well, like planting thorny bushes around first-story windows to deter thieves. Make sure to also keep gates, garages and storage sheds locked up, as easily-accessible ladders and tools can make it easier for a thief to break in.

5. Protect your valuables.

A professional thief knows all the obvious hiding places – a freezer, under the mattress or in a cookie jar. Avoid hiding your valuables in these places. If you purchase a new TV or another type of valuable, don’t leave empty boxes at the curb for trash pickup, as they’re an obvious sign to thieves of what’s inside your home.

In the mean time, here are some really important tips and tricks for general safety and security…

1. If out of the home for an extended period of time, create the illusion that someone may still be there. Leave a TV or stereo on in the room where a burglar would most likely break in. Use exterior lighting and motion detectors to minimize burglar concealment.
2. Make sure all exterior doors have good proper locks. Install 1-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.
3. If you get an unexpected knock at the door, check to see who it is before opening it.
4. Do not leave extra keys under doormats, potted plants or any other obvious outdoor location. Thieves will generally find them. Find an inconspicuous place to hide the keys, or give a set to a neighbor you can trust.
5. Burglar-proof your glass patio doors by setting a pipe or metal bar in the middle bottom track of the door slide. The pipe should be the same length as the track.
6. Keep garage doors shut.
7. Keep drapes and blinds shut – especially in rooms where there is expensive equipment. Don’t advertise the items in your home.
8. Store cash, jewelry and other valuables in a safe or safety deposit box instead of leaving them lying around the home.
9. Don’t leave notes on the door for service people or family members. These alert the burglar that you are not home.
10. If you’re going to be away from home for a few days, adjust your telephone ring to its lowest volume setting. An unanswered phone may tip off a burglar that no one is home. Also, have a neighbor or friend collect your newspaper and mail. Never cancel delivery – you don’t know who will get that information.

Is your home safe? If you’re not 100% sure of the safety of your valuables and loved ones, Contact us