Home Security
How to protect your home Most burglaries can be prevented by the use of good locks, a few tools and simple precautions.
While no home can be made totally burglar-proof, people need not live with undue fear. Everyone can take effective and practical steps to make their homes more secure. If the doors and windows of your home are locked and the doors are strong enough to resist a quick kick, the culprit will probably look for an easier target.
STEP 1:
Start with your neighbourhood. This is your first line of defence.
Burglars don't like watchful neighbours who are collectively interested in the security of their neighbourhoods.
There is strength in numbers and a hundred sets of eyes will certainly see more than one set.
STEP 2:
Next, look at your yard and neighbourhood areas from the burglar's point of view
Trim trees and bushes that could hide burglars.
Pay particular attention to trees growing near your house. Could a burglar climb a tree to get onto the roof, then enter through an unlocked upper storey window?
Keep your yard maintained to give the house a lived-in appearance. Cut grass, rake leaves, remove dead branches and debris.
Install outside lights to brighten dark areas around doors or windows.
STEP 3:
Look at the outside of your house. Make sure emergency personnel can easily see your address from the street, even at night. Then check your doors, windows and other outside openings.
Ensure your house number is visible on rear detached garage or rear fencing.
Doors
Outside doors and frames should be made of solid wood or steel, which are harder force open than hollow-core doors. Frames in outside doors should fit snugly (within 1/4 inch) against the door.
Glass in outside doors should be at least 40 inches from the lock or be unbreakable.
Secure all outside doors with deadbolt locks.
A key is required to lock and unlock a deadbolt from outside.
Ensure that the lock's throw (or bolt) extends at least one inch past the edge of the door when locked.
Install a peephole viewer (180 degrees) on the entrance door.
Make sliding glass doors and windows more secure by placing a wood stick or metal bar between the frame and sliding door. Or, install a screw or pin by drilling a hole through both the sliding and fixed doors. To keep the door from being lifted off its track, limit clearance by installing screws that protrude down from the top track.
The strike plate is the flat metal piece on the door frame that receives the lock's throw, or bolt. Attach a six- or eight-inch strike plate with screws long enough (about three inches) to pass through the door frame and into the wall stud.
Hinges should be large enough to support the door, attached securely by screws that go through the door frame into the supporting stud, and not exposed on the outside. Replace outside hinges with non-removable hinges that are available commercially.
Modify your hinges by drilling a small hole into the middle of the hinge pin and tapping a small screw into the hole.
Windows
For double-hung windows without special locks, use a pin to make them harder to pry open. Drill a downward sloping hole through the top of the bottom window frame and into (but not through) the bottom of the top frame. To secure the window, insert a pin or nail into this hole.
Double-hung windows usually have latches; these are NOT locks and keep windows closed against the weather.
Casement type windows, if not of the best quality, are difficult to secure. If the window is not equipped with a sturdy lock that will resist prying, it is best to install bars or a grill on the inside of the window. Ensure that bars are easy to remove from the inside in case of fire.
Crank-open and awning type windows do not offer good security because individual panes can be pried or removed. Consider installing metal bars or grills on the inside of this type of window or replace it with a more secure type.
It is mandatory to have a bedroom breakaway system on barred windows to enable someone a safe escape route. The keys to the bars must be placed close by to allow safe passage outside in the event of a fire.
STEP 4:
Simple steps will make your house appear lived in when you are away for extended periods.
Arrange to have your mail picked up and consider stopping newspapers at least one day before you leave to be certain your request was received.
Remember to have the grass cut, the leaves raked or the snow removed as necessary.
Use timers on a few lamps in rooms where the light will be noticed from outside the house.
Have a neighbour check both inside and outside the house every few days. Ask them to pick up items delivered while you are away.
If you have a clearly designated outside parking space (as is the case in many townhouse neighbourhoods), ask a neighbour to park their car in your space sometimes.
STEP 5:
When at Home
When in your back yard lock your front door and vice versa.
When in the home, it is a good idea to keep your doors locked.
Consider keeping your blinds/curtains closed at night because people can see in and you can't see out.
STEP 6:
Garage
Garages are a favourite target for burglars. Be sure windows are curtained so thieves can't look for items to steal or check to see if your car is there. The door between your house and attached garage should swing inward, be solid core and have a deadbolt lock.
Keep your garage locked, even when you are at home.
If the overhead garage door is roller and track operated, install a lock in the track to block the roller and disconnect your automatic garage door opener before you go on vacation.
Secure your other garage doors with deadbolts.
Install lights near your garage to keep the area lit. Also, leave your headlights on until you park in the garage. If possible, have a remote control garage door opener installed. This will allow you to stay in your locked car until you're inside your locked garage. Be sure the overhead door closes completely after you drive into or out of your garage.
Ensure your garage has your house number clearly visible. This assists the police in identifying the exact address.
If your home is broken into:
Do not enter the house in case the burglar is still there. Use a neighbour's telephone to call the police by dialling 9-1-1. Watch your house until the police arrive.
If your home is broken into, and you know the burglar is gone, call 403-266-1234.
Do not touch anything until the police have finished checking your house.
Give the police a list of serial numbers of missing items so they can return your property to you if it is found.
Report the following to the police:
Unusual noises, such as someone screaming for help.
Vehicles moving slowly and randomly through the neighbourhood.
A stranger running or walking randomly through the neighbourhood.
A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk to a child.
Furniture being removed from homes when the owners are on vacation or at work.
Abandoned cars.
A stranger looking into homes or parked cars. Walking down middle of road vs. sidewalk looking into vehicles side to side of the street.
Unusual activities of pets such as the repeated barking of a dog that is normally quiet.
Someone going door to door soliciting who refuses to provide proper identification.
Many times you will see homes with open doors, front doors with keys left in the locks, or a neighbour's car with the trunk left open. In most situations, a simple call to your neighbour will settle the matter. Many times, people forget to close their doors or remove their keys from door locks if they were carrying groceries or packages into their homes.
Many people believe that the police do not want to be called if the caller is merely suspicious. This is not true. When in doubt -- CALL THE POLICE.
NON-EMERGENCY 403-266-1234 (for information or to report suspicious activity)
EMERGENCY 9-1-1 (life threatening, crime in progress, or injury accident)
