Home Security 2013 FCE Leader Les son Prepared by: Bonnie L. Hinds, Specialist Environmental Health & Housing

A mans home is his castle, and where shall a man be safe if it be not in his own house? Edward Coke,

3 For most Americans, their home accounts for at least half of their net worth. Burglary is the unlawful or forcible entryor attempted entryof a property. Seventy-five (75) percent of all burglaries are to personal residences.

2,188,000 Americans were burglarized in How secure is your home? 4

Two Types of Burglaries – for Two Types of Burglars Unlawful Entry without Force – The Opportunist 5

Thirty-three (33) percent of home burglaries did not require forcible entry. Burglars were invited in via: --an open or unlocked house door or window, --an open door to the garage, --evidence that no one was home. 6

Thwarting the Opportunistic Burglar: Keep all shuttable things shut, lockable things locked, and valuables out of sight! This includes your car, house, garage, and any other outbuildings. 7

What does your garbage say about you? Avoid throwing away packaging for electronics or other valuables. Use automatic deposit for paychecks. Mail your bills at an institutional drop box or the post office. Dont subscribe to or discardmagazines or catalogs for collectibles/antiques. 8

Ah, yesthe spare key. Burglars, too, know just where to find it. 9

Dont post your vacation plansor your business trips-- on social media. It lets the world know your house will be empty. 10

Burglary #2- Forcible Entry/ The Professional Theyre willing to work at itas long as you dont throw too many obstacles in their way. 11

Home Alarm Systems A potentially worthwhile investment Initial cost/installation: $600-$900 or more Monthly monitoring fees: $30-$75 Home Surveillance Cameras: $100-$800 or more 12

13 Keep your cars parked in the garage, with the doors closed, even when youre home.

Stout Entry Doors Invest in good quality exterior doors, using only solid wood or steel. If doors include glass insets, cover with ¼ inch plexiglass. Install deadbolt locks and peepholes. 14

Motion Sensor Lights Motion sensor lighting may send would-be intruders on their way. It also offers a warning to residents. An added plus – Homeowners enjoy greater safety when entering or exiting their house in the dark. 15

Environmental Design Dense foliage or tall trees near windows and doors allows access or provides hiding places. Landscape vegetation should never obscure entryways. 16

AVOID How may I help you? What might you have left outdoors that could assist in a break in... a ladder, a shovel, a hammer? Stow all equipment and tools safely away. 17

Know Your NEIGHBORS! Great neighbors will retrieve your mail when youre away, babysit the kids when theres an emergency, provide extra parking for your annual 4 th of July cookout, and hold on to your spare house key for you. Nosy neighbors will sound the proverbial alarm when someone suspicious is in the neighborhood. 18

With careful attention to home security, you, too, can protect your investment, avoid the Big, Bad Wolf, and live happily ever after