If you have any questions, comments or concerns about home security or would like additional information on crime prevention please call the department at 973.827.3160
| THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WITH THESE SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR RESIDENCE BURLARY-PROOF, OR THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL PREVENT ANY TYPE OF CRIME AGAINST PROPERTY OR PERSONS WITHIN YOUR RESIDENCE.THIS LIST IS NOT INCLUSIVE NOR IS IT A COMPLETE LIST. YOUR SAFETY AND HOME SAFETY REQUIRES YOU TO UPDATE AND REFINE THESE SUGGESTIONS ON A CONTINUOS BASIS. |
Please insure house numbers are visible from the street.
This will assist the police, fire and first aid to find your house quickly in the event of an emergency.
Bushes, shrubs, and trees should be kept trimmed to insure a unobstructed view of sidewalks, driveways, doors, windows and gates. Anywhere a person could hide
Do not leave any valuable items in the yard that would attract the attention of a criminal. (Bicycles, Lawnmowers, Four wheelers, Motorcycles).
If you have the ability to secure items with a lock, do so.
Insure that all the windows, and doors of all vehicles in the driveway and garage are shut and securely locked.
If you have outside lighting utilize it, use timers, motion detectors etc. Try to insure the lighting will give neighbors a view of your windows and doors , this will prevent someone from attempting to unlawfully enter your home or property without being seen.
DO NOT leave a spare key where a criminal can find it easily. (Under the door mat, over the door frame, or on top of a light fixture. These are the places someone will look.
Do not leave any items around the outside of the house that could be used to gain entry to your home or other property (ladders, buckets, step stools, wood, concrete blocks etc). Any of these items will also allow someone to look into your windows as well. These suggestions also apply to a detached garage, shed, and or barn.
GARAGE DOORS, keep them closed and locked. If it is closed no one knows what you have inside. If possible insure the garage door has a separate internal lock that can be activated from the inside.
ALL ROOMS THAT HAVE DOORS TO THE OUTSIDE:
All entrance doors should be a solid core , metal clad, not a hollow door that can easily be broken. The door lock must be an exterior door lock. Do not use a bathroom or bedroom door lock. If possible use a deadbolt lock. The bolt that comes out of the lock should go into the strike plate at least 1 inch. Check with a local building supply center for more detailed information. No windows should be in this door. If there are, a dead bolt lock, which uses a key for both the inside and outside, should be used if the lock is within 35 inches of the window. (This is so someone’s arm cannot reach the lock and if they do, they still need a key) DO NOT leave the key in the dead bolt lock inside your house.
Place the key near the door so that everyone in your whole family knows where it is located in case of a fire or other emergency . Each family member should also have a spare key to the door as well.
Make sure all door jams are substantial and the hinges are on the inside of the room.
The front door and back door to the residence should also have a Wide-angle viewer (peephole). This will give you the ability to see who is at the door before you open it.
SLIDING GLASS DOORS:
Make sure the original lock in good working order, Anti-slide device, keyed dead bolt, Charlie bar or wood/metal dowel placed in the track to stop the door from sliding open. (there should be no play in the door while the dowel is in place), Anti-lift device. Place screws with the screw head sticking out from the top outside track. This will stop someone from lifting the sliding glass door out of the track.
EVERYONE IN THE HOME; FAMILY MEMBERS AND VISITORS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF ALL THESE SAFETY MEASURES IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
ALL ROOMS THAT HAVE WINDOWS TO THE OUTSIDE:
Original locks should be in good repair, auxiliary lock in place, keyed lock etc.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Use automatic timers for lights, radios and TV.
Have burglar alarm systems installed.
Emergency numbers by each phone
Operation identification (Contact the police department for additional information).
Complete a home inventory and photograph all valuables, record the make, model, serial number, where purchased, and purchase price. Keep this information in a safe and secure location. It is also suggested that a copy of this home inventory be kept off site as well.
Home safe for valuables- (UL listed) burglary resistant.
Key control- keep track of existing keys. If a key is lost, or stolen, replace the lock immediately.
Notify the police department if you will be away on vacation and or business trip, or emergency. (Click here to download the SECURITY CHECK REPORT in a PDF/printabel format).