Landscaping and Yard Security
A few alterations to your landscaping can be enough to put off theifs and other predators. To avoid
getting caught, theifs and other predators look for property they can get into and out of quickly. Their
ideal target is a house surrounded by large hedges and shrubs, which hamper visibility
from the street and neighbors houses.
Hedges, Shrubs and Trees: Trim shrubbery and trees so doors and windows are visible to
neighbors, and from the street. Trimmed landscaping should not provide concealment for
criminals. If you have a second floor, prune trees so they can't help a thief climb in
second floor windows. Place trellises where they can't be used as ladders to gain entry to
the upper floors.
- Outside plants (shrubbery and Hedges) within four (4) feet of any sidewalks, driveways,
doors or gates, should be maintained at a height of not more than two (2) feet.
- Outside plants between four (4) and eight (8) feet of any sidewalks, driveways, doors, or
gates, should be maintained at a height of not more than four (4) feet.
- Outside plants under windows should be maintained at a height that is below the window
sill.
- Trees should be trimmed so that the lower branches are more than six (6) feet off the
ground.
Place large gauge gravel on the ground near windows. The noise caused by theifs and other predators
walking on it can become a psychological deterrent. DO NOT
place river rocks or
other items near glass windows or doors. You do not want to provide the burglar with his
tools!
Plant spiny (thorny) plants along fences and under windows. Such plants will discourage
even the most nimble intruder. Protecting with spiny plants is as effective as the use of
barbed wire, and a lot more attractive.
Street Numbers
Street numbers should be easily visible from the street. Critical time can be saved by
emergency responders when the street address for the house is visible from a distance.
On your house:
- Use numbers made of reflective materials, or black on white, that are 6 inches high.
- Keep numbers new and clean and replace when necessary.
- The numbers should be placed under a light and near the front door or garage entrance.
Your house number should be painted on the curb in front of your driveway:
- Four (4) to six (6) inch high black numbers on a white background is
- most effective.
- It should be centered at the end of your driveway or just to the house side of your
driveway.
- If you live along an alley your house number should be painted (as stated above) on the
fence outside your alley gate.
Limited or Direct Access to Yards and Store Rooms:
theifs and other predators look for no, or few obstacles blocking quick exits. Fences prevent burglars
from carrying away large items if the gates are locked. Gates should be locked at all
times, even when your are home!
Ladders and tools should be stored in a garage or storage shed, and these areas should
be locked.
Landscaping should also be designed to control access to your property. Proper barriers
make the person with criminal intent feel uncomfortable as he or she approaches your home
or business.
Exterior and Interior Home home lighting
It is a known fact, that good home lighting is a deterrent to crime. While any home lighting will
help reduce your risk of becoming of a victim, the proper lights, used correctly will be
the most effective deterrent to criminal activity.
Exterior:
Exterior lights are important, especially near doors and in the rear of the house,
where theifs and other predators do most of their work. All sides of your home should be protected by
security home lighting that is located high out of reach, and is vandal resistant.
home lighting in carports and garages is critical. For garages, an automatic garage opener
is the best choice. Almost every garage door opener made today has a light that comes on
when the opener is activated, home lighting the garage interior. In carports, it is best to
either leave a light on, have a light on a timer, or have a light connected to a motion
sensor or photo electric cell.
The best light to use on the exterior is a motion detector type of fixture. The
advantage to this type of light, especially in the backyard, is that the light warns the
resident that someone is in their yard. While there is a concern that dogs, cats, or birds
will trigger the sensor and cause the lights to come on, if the resident sets the
sensitivity of the sensor correctly this will not be a problem. In the front yard, any
type of home lighting will be effective, as long the home lighting pattern covers the entire front
and sides of the house. Sensor home lighting will be effective, but is more prone to
"false alarms" caused by things like people walking down the sidewalk, or
children playing.
Interior:
When residents go out for an evening, they usually leave on their "burglar
beacon". A burglar beacon is a small light that is left on so they don't walk into a
dark house when they come home. These are lights like the one above the kitchen sink or
stove, the hallway light, or a light in the corner of the living room. Unfortunately these
lights are a signal for the criminal that no one is home. If you go out for an evening
leave a radio and several lights on. When you go on vacation put at least two lights, in
different parts of the house, and a radio on timers. Contact the Police Department
and sign up for a Vacation Watch. Regardless of whether you are on vacation, or just gone
for the evening, from the outside your house should look as if someone is home.
House and Garage Doors
Entry doors should be solid core wood (at least 1 3/4" thick) or metal wrapped.
Your door should fit it's frame tightly, with no more than 1/8" clearance between the
door and the frame. If the gap is too big, replace the door or bolt a sturdy metal strip
to the door edge. You will boost your protection, and save energy too.
Most hollow core doors can be easily broken through. If the door is flimsy or weak, or
doesn't fit securely into the frame, it offers little protection, no matter what locks you
use.
Doors with decorative glass panels or windows are easy marks. It takes only seconds to
break the glass and unlock the door. If you do not want to replace such doors, install a
break-resistant plastic panel, such as LexanŽ, or decorative grille over the glass.
Attach the grill with special non-removable screws.
For the best protection, install a wrought iron security door over your front door.
Wrought iron doors not only provide an extra level of visible security against a break-in,
they also allow you to open your front door to strangers, or leave the front door open for
ventilation.
Your garage door should be securely locked at all times (even when you are home).
Keeping it locked is just as important as keeping your home locked, especially if the
garage is attached to the home. Once inside the garage a burglar can work uninterrupted at
getting into the house.Aapproximately 40% of
our non-forced entry home crime is through open garage doors.
If you install a "doggie door" be sure it is not a way in for burglars as
well as the dog. Do not be complacent by the fact that you have a small dog. Burglars come
in all sizes!
Locks, Strike Plates and Hinges
Locks/Deadbolts
The "lock-in-knob offers you privacy and convenience but it does not offer
security from theifs and other predators. In fact many "lock-in-knob" locks can be opened by
using a simple credit card. You may have privacy, but you don't have security.
All exterior doors require the use of a deadbolt lock. When you turn the key the
locking mechanism slides a strong metal bolt from the door into the door's frame.
When you buy a deadbolt lock, MAKE SURE:
- The bolt extends at least 1" into the front edge of the door.
- The strike plate is attached through the trim to the door frame with screws at least
3" long.
- It has a rotation case hardened shroud that prevents it from being twisted off with a
pair of pliers or other tools.
The two most common types of deadbolts:
Single Cylinder Deadbolts - Have a thumb turn on the interior side. They are
convenient to use and may speed up the exit process in the event of fire. If used near a
window they can be opened by breaking the window and reaching through. This type of
deadbolt lock does not prevent the burglar from taking your property out through the door.
Double Cylinder Deadbolts - Utilize keys on both sides. This type of lock should
be considered if there is glass window within 40" of the lock. However, this type of
lock does present a potential fire escape hazard. This type of deadbolt lock can delay a
burglar that wants to use the door to remove your property from your home.
Keys
As many as half of all burglaries take place without forced entry. Many times the
burglar uses a key. Be sure your keys don't fall into the wrong hands.
- Never carry identification on your key ring or holder.
- Re-key all locks when you move into a new house or apartment.
- Know who has keys to your home. Do not give keys to maintenance or deliver people. If
you must leave a key behind, leave it with a trusted neighbor. Make sure that each member
of your family knows where his or her key is.
- Never hide a key outside. Burglars know all the hiding places.
- Do not hang keys on hooks within plain view inside your home.
Strike Plate
The strike plate is attached to the door frame with screws. The metal bolt of the
deadbolt lock slides into the strike plate to secure the door soundly to the door frame.
A high security strike plate is required to keep the metal bolt from being kicked from
the door frame when locked. A high security strike plate should have at least 4 screws
that are a minimum of 3 inches long.
Hinges
Hinges are often installed with the same 3/4" screws as the common strike plates.
Replace these with 2" to 3" fully threaded screws so the hinges are anchored to
the sub-frame.
In some cases the hinges are installed in such a manner that the hinge pins are exposed
to the exterior and an intruder may attempt to remove the pins in an effort to gain entry.
Hinges can be pinned by installing a partially threaded screw into the frame side of
the hinge. The unthreaded portion of the screw is left exposed and the head of the screw
is cut off. A corresponding hole is drilled into the door and hinge on the opposite side,
so when the door is closed the exposed portion of the screw fits in to the door. This will
prevent the door from the being lifted out.
Doors and Sliding Glass Windows
People often install sturdy locks on their front doors but leave arcadia (sliding
glass) doors and sliding glass windows "wide open" to illegal entry. Burglars
look for both of these because they are easy to open. Usually, arcadia doors and windows
are more secluded than a front door, making a perfect place for burglars to hide and
enter. Two factors must be protected against.
Prying the Lock
Most arcadia doors and sliding windows come equipped with a lock that is easily pried
open. A supplemental lock must be installed.
Broomsticks (they should fit snug), "Charlie bars" and finger operated locks
provide some protection.
Key locking devices are much preferred because they can prevent the burglars from using
the door or window to remove stolen property.
There are several types of supplemental locks available. Keyed locks may be keyed alike
with other entry lock sets and deadbolts. Check with your locksmith or hardware store and
select a sturdy type that most suits your home.
Lifting Out
Many doors and sliding windows can be lifted out of their tracks from the
outside.
Two sheet metal screws placed in the track above the removable part of the door or
window can prevent it from being removed. Adjust the screws so that the doors or window
will just clear underneath them.
Drill a hole and insert a nail through the inside frame and part way through the metal
door frame. You can remove the nail but the burglar can't.
Double Hung Windows
To secure a double hung window, drill a downward sloping hole into the top of the
bottom window, and through that into the bottom of the top window. A pin can now be
inserted, locking the window shut.
By partly opening the window (less that 4 inches) and making a second set of holes, the
window can then be used for ventilation. Remember, open windows and doors, even if
secured, should never be left unattended while you are gone or asleep.
Security Alarms
Do you keep extremely valuable property (jewelry, television sets, computers, other
electronic equipment, etc.) in your house? Do you often leave your house unattended for
more that a few hours (go to work or school for example), or do you want more protection?
These are reasons to invest in a quality alarm system.
Many quality alarm systems are available. Before you purchase a security system, your
should have in mind what kind of system your want. This will prevent buying more equipment
that you actually need. Read as much about different brands and types of systems as you
can. Talk to friends and neighbors that have alarm systems. We recommend that you speak to
at least three security alarm companies about their product and service prior to
purchasing any alarm system. Remember, you get what you pay for in many cases.