Good Security Practices You and your home will not be safe unless you follow good security practices. These tips will help make your protective measures effective: Keep all doors and windows locked, even if you are just going out "for a minute." If a window is left open a few inches for ventilation, it should be locked to prevent someone from opening it more. Lock gates, garages, and sheds after each use. Store bicycles, mowers, etc. in a locked garage or shed, or secure them to some stationary point. Don't leave notes on your door when you are away from home. Don't leave keys in mailboxes or planters, under doormats, or in other obvious hiding spots. Leave an extra key with a neighbor. Learn to recognize who belongs in your neighborhood, development, or apartment, i.e., residents, workers, guests, etc. Know who's at your door before opening it. Check photo registration card before dealing with any solicitors, peddlers, interviewers, etc. These persons are required to obtain a card from the SDPD and display it on the front of their clothing. They are allowed to solicit only between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. except by appointment. Be suspicious of persons making unsolicited offers of services. Post a NO SOLICITING sign if you don't want any solicitor to ring your door bell, knock on your door, or make any other sound to attract your attention. Ask for photo identification before letting in anyone you don't know. Check out the identification with the company or agency if you are suspicious. Never let a stranger enter your home to use the telephone. Offer to make the call yourself in an emergency. Don't give your name or whereabouts on your answering machine message. Never say you aren't home. Don't leave your home keys on a chain with your vehicle keys when you use valet parking. Also, don't leave your garage door opener where it is easily accessible. Keep your vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and any other papers with your home address on them where a criminal is not likely to find them. Don't give maids, babysitters, valets, or others working in your home access to your home keys. Call the police at 9-1-1 if you are at home and hear or see something suspicious. Don't take direct action yourself. An officer will be dispatched to your address even if you cannot speak or hang up. Don't go in or call out if you return home and suspect someone has broken into your home, e.g., if a window or screen is broken, a door is ajar, or a strange vehicle is parked in the driveway. Go to a neighbor's home and call the police. Don't discuss your finances or possessions with strangers. Keep valuable papers, jewelry, etc. in a bank safe deposit box. Don't store them at home unless you have a security closet or a safe that is well hidden and cannot be removed. Deterrent Measures Alarms Once the company representative has made an appraisal of your security needs, ask for a written proposal and a copy of the contract you will have to sign. Make sure the contract lists all the points of protection, the equipment to be installed, and the initial and monthly payments. You should also check with your insurance company to see if you qualify for an alarm discount and get an alarm system permit. Signs and Borders Post a Neighborhood Watch or alarm company sticker on entry doors and windows. Use fencing, gates, landscaping, pavement treatment, signs, etc. to define clear boundaries between your property and adjoining properties. Providing Visibility Lighting Illuminate your property at night. Don't depend on streetlights or lights from adjoining properties. Leave outside lights on after dark. Make sure there are no shadows or dark areas around the house, garage, or yard in which a person could hide. Check lights regularly and replace burnt out bulbs. Protect your lights from vandals with wire covers. Padlock your circuit breaker box to prevent lights from being turned off. Good four-corner exterior lighting is important, particularly where there are dark areas around the house. Floodlights installed under eaves can illuminate these areas and expose anyone next to the house. Timers or photoelectric cells can be used to turn lights on at dusk and off at dawn. And motion sensors can be used to turn lights on when any motion is detected. Landscaping Trim bushes to less than 3 feet to eliminate possible hiding places, especially near windows, sidewalks, and exterior doors. Trim tree canopies to at least 8 feet to allow visibility into your property. Make sure that trees and bushes do not block lights. Protecting Your Home And Property When You Are Away Many of these actions are intended to make it appear that you are not away from home. use timers on lights, radios, tvs, etc. to make them go on and off during the day and night to make your home appear occupied. stop mail and newspaper delivery, or have neighbor pick up anything left at the home. keep grass watered and cut. water and trim other landscaping. ask the neighbors to watch your home and report any suspicious activities. leave your itinerary with a neighbor so you can be contacted in an emergency. disconnect your electric garage door opener and padlock the door, preferably on the inside. call your local sdpd area station to request vacation home checks when you'll be out of town. Helping The Police Get To Your Home Make sure your street address number is clearly visible from the street and is well lighted at night so the police and other emergency personnel can locate your home easily. Make sure your unit number (in a multifamily housing development) is clearly visible from paths in the development. Provide the police with an entry code if your community or development has a security gate. Identifying Your Property Etch your driver's license number on any valuables that might be stolen. Photograph valuables that cannot be etched. Keep a detailed, up-to-date record of your valuables. Include type, model, serial number, and fair market value. Courtesy of the San Diego Police Department www.sandiego.gov