SAFETY RESOLUTIONS FOR 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2017 is upon us and just like any New Year tradition, it is time to let go of the old and embrace the new. If you think you have left yourself or your family vulnerable to intruders in the past year, it has got to change this year, here’s something to challenge yourself in the New Year. Instead of just making resolutions why don’t you create a daily action plan to develop the habit of keeping your home and your family safe.

Because we care a lot about you and your family, we have researched and compiled a safety checklist that you can use to evaluate whether your home is truly safe from intruders and identify weaknesses that you can improve.

SAFETY CHECKLIST

Responsible home-ownership requires that you evaluate the level of safety and security of your home. You can use this Home Safety Checklist to measure the strengths and weaknesses of your home against intruders. Start the year right by reducing the possibility of your home from being targeted.

EXTERIOR

Check if your house numbers can be clearly seen by emergency responders to find your home. It should be visible from the street.
Shrubs and trees should be pruned away from sidewalks, driveways, porches, doors, windows, and gates to eliminate hiding places.
Make sure there are no dark areas around the house where lurkers can hide.
All possible entrances should have ample lighting on the outside.
Secure your gate latches and garage doors with heavy duty security locks.
Entryways and pathways have ample lighting at night.

DOORS

Hardwood, metal-clad or fiber-glass are ideal materials for doors.
Doors must be visible from the street or from neighbor’s view.
Check if you can see who is at the door without opening it.
Reinforce the security of your doors by placing a secondary lock like Addalock or Fixed Addalock.

WINDOWS

Windows should remain locked even if you need to open it a little for ventilation.
Enhance your window security with a secondary lock like Burglabar.
Place thorny bushes and prickly shrubs under your windows as additional security barrier.

INTERIORS

Valuables should not be visible from the street.
Create a home inventory so you are aware what items are in your possession. Record the serial numbers of your appliances to help in the recovery of stolen property.