According to a booklet put out by the Attorney General's Office of Florida, there are simple things every home owner can do to make his or her home less vulnerable to burglars. Burglars look for homes that are the easiest to get into without being seen or heard. Given two identical houses, the burglar looks for the one that is easier to get into, find some valuables that are easy to carry and get out without being seen or caught. Here are some simple tips.
• Keep shrubs trimmed away from the windows and doors so there is nowhere for a burglar or assailant to hide.
• Make sure there is plenty of lighting. This is especially important near doors or low windows. Remember the bad guy doesn't want to be seen.
• Don't leave ladders around the exterior of the house that can be used to get in an upstairs’ window or balcony.
• Don't leave tools in the yard that can be used to pry open a window or door (Crowbars are jokingly called a universal door key).
• Keep the garage door closed and locked at all times. This is a favorite way for bad guys to enter your home. NEVER leave the garage door open. This has also been used by Home Invaders to gain access to homes and family members.
• Display house numbers so they are easy to see. Make sure they can be seen at night. This will help Police and Emergency responders to find your home. Also, if you have a security system in your home, get an outside strobe light that is lit any time your alarm goes off.
• Get to know the neighbors who live on each side and across from you. Exchange phone numbers if possible so you can call one another if there is something suspicious going on. You can also keep a disposable camera handy to take a picture of any vehicle in question.
• If you hear an alarm sound or other suspicious noises, look out the window to get a look at any vehicles or strange people at your neighbors’ home. Do not go out or try to confront anyone. Call the police if you think there is a problem.
• Always keep all your doors locked. There really is no such thing as a safe neighborhood when it comes to burglaries.
