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| Home Security |
When your home is burglarized, you lose more than just the television set, your computer, your expensive stereo/CD
equipment, your jewelry or money. You also lose your peace of mind and in some cases you might jeopardize the safety
and welfare of yourself and family.
Residential burglary is a chronic nationwide problem that is growing in leaps and bounds. For it’s victims, it is a
costly as well as potentially dangerous crime, which can lead to other crimes.
Fortunately, however, you can help prevent or deter a home burglary because in most cases it is a crime of
opportunity- committed by young amateurs who are able to gain easy access to your home. You can reduce the chances if
your becoming a victim by eliminating the "opportunity" for the crime to happen.
The time to take the necessary preventative action to protect your home and family is before you become a victim- not
after the fact. All it takes is a modest investment of your time and not a great deal of money.
Quality security hardware and other preventative measures will serve to deter delay or help detect a burglar. It will
help stop armature burglars and slow up the experienced one, thus increasing the risk of their apprehension.
The following information will point out measures you can take in your home, apartment or mobile home to greatly
reduce your chances of becoming a statistic. The sooner you put these measures into effect, the safer your family,
and your valuables, may become; not to mention your peace of mind.
You can also call your Crime Prevention Officer at 386.424.2440 and have a trained Crime Prevention Practitioner
perform a FREE Home Security Check.
YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR
The exterior of your home should be free from offering concealment to a burglar. A house with doors and windows in
full view is a psychological deterrent because the intruder is forced to work in open view where he or she risks
detection. Here’s how to discourage a burglar.
- Keep shrubs trimmed away windows and doors so you don’t provide a convenient hiding place.
- Maintain adequate exterior lighting, especially on vulnerable access points to your home. Install motion
senor fixtures
- Do not leave valuables such as lawnmowers, bicycles or tools in the yard or in an open or unlocked garage or
shed.
- Keep the garage door closed at all times.
- Display your house numbers in an area that is the most visible and closest to the street. Illuminate them if
possible or use reflective numbers. This will aid law enforcement or medical personnel in locating your home
quickly in an emergency.
Sound locking devices cannot make a residence completely impregnable, but they can deter a burglar. They can force the
thief into a situation in which they must break glass in order to gain entry, something the thief would rather not do.
For all exterior doors, the following should be considered.
Safety Tips:
- A chain latch on your door offers NO SECURTY AT ALL. Chain locks can be readily ripped from the doorframe with minimum pressure.
- Install a 190-degree door view in exterior doors.
- Install single cylinder dead bolt locks on all exterior doors.
- Avoid using double cylinder dead bolts (keyed from both sides) when possible. These are a hazard, as you may not find the key in an emergency.
- All exterior doors should be solid core doors, either wood or metal.
- Eliminate glass panels around doors, eliminating the opportunity for some to break the glass and reaching in to unlock the door.
BURGLAR BUSHES
It is very important for all concerned homeowners and business personnel to increase their efforts to discourage
potential intruders and burglars. Several security measures to protect homes and businesses against unwanted entry
include fencing, guard dogs, electronic or motion sensor, bars on windows and of course, securing windows and doors
with high quality locks.
Other ways which people fail to think about and is increasing in popularity is the use of plants surrounding homes and
businesses. They can be strategically placed beneath windows and other possible entry areas. Plants most often used
to discourage unwanted entries have large spines or thorns that make one think twice about attempting to break in.
Just seeing hedges or shrubs beneath windows or access areas will often discourage potential intruders. The following
list contains suggested landscaping plants to use in these vulnerable areas. Most are very low maintenance and require
very little water. If unfamiliar with these plants, take this list to your local nursery and see what they look like.
| Common Name |
Botanical Name |
Common Height |
Light Requirement |
| Agave Century Plant |
Avage Spp. |
2 - 7 feet |
full sun |
| Boxthorn |
Severinia Buxifolia |
4 - 7 feet |
full sun |
| Carissa |
Carissa Sp. |
2 - 4 feet (dwarf)
15 feet (regular) |
full sun
light shade |
| Cactus |
Various Species |
2 - 15 feet |
full sun |
| Cactus Various Types |
Mainly Opuntia |
2 - 15 feet |
full sun |
| Crowns of Thorns |
Euphorbia |
1 - 3 feet |
full sun |
| Bougainvilles |
Bouganvilles Splendias |
varies |
full sun |
| Limeberry |
Triphasia Trifolia |
varies |
full sun |
| Spanish Bayonet |
Yucca Aloifolia |
8 - 12 feet |
full sun |
YOUR HOME’S INTERIOR
- Install additional window locks (auxiliary locks) on all windows.
- "Pin-The-Hinge" of all doors with hinges exposed to the outside of your home.
- Install extra locks on sliding glass doors and learn how to "remove the lift" from the doors.
- Install smoke detectors in laundry rooms and the garage for added protection.
- Create a "Safe Room"- a room where you and your family can hide- inside your home- in an emergency- having a
solid core door, effective deadbolt lock on the inside and a cellular phone.
SECURITY MEASURE FOR YOUR HOME
Because constant vigilance is vital to deterring crime, it is a good idea to develop a set of habits to assure
continual operation of the deterrents. Below are habits and practices to develop, and some to avoid.
- Establish a routine of lighting up and locking up at night before retiring. Lock all doors and windows,
including the garage and patio doors.
- Draw draperies and blinds at night
- Leave at least one inside light burning all night, varying its location from a bathroom to kitchen, etc.
- Leave the porch or yard lights on at night.
- Install motion sensor lighting fixtures to light up the home when vehicles pull into the driveway
- When going out for the evening, turn on a radio or television and lights or set automatic timers, as lights
will come on after dark. When returning home, have keys in your hand before approaching your front door.
- When staying home during the day, keep doors locked, especially if you are doing any work in the backyard or
outside the home.
- Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to deny entry to someone you do not know or trust. When in doubt, call 911.
- When leaving for several days, have your papers and mail picked up by a trusted friend.
- Invite a neighbor to park their vehicle in your driveway.
- Leave a key with that friend in case of an emergency.
- Arrange for lawn care or pool care while away.
- Call the Citizens Assisting Police at 386.424.2499 for a FREE House Watch while you are gone. (A Volunteer
officer will make a perimeter check of your home daily while you are gone).
- When moving into a "new" home for you, have all locks re-keyed.
- Install a monitored burglar alarm system. (Information about these systems can be obtained from your local
law enforcement crime prevention unit).
Your air conditioner can be a burglar’s clue to an empty house in hot weather.
- If you have a window air conditioner, it would be a good idea to leave the fan on when you plan to be gone
for any length of time.
- Secure window air conditioners against unauthorized removal.
- If you have central air conditioning, turn the fan setting to "On" and set the thermostat to the top setting
of 90 or 95 degrees so that the compressor will run only in very hot weather. (This will cost little and make it
appear that someone may be at home.)
STRANGERS AT YOUR DOOR?
Your front door is your first line of defense. Make sure it is a solid and secure door. Do not have glass panes
closer than 40 inches of the doors interior locking device. Install a 180-degree door viewer (peep hole) set at the
height of the shortest adult in your family.
The nice thing about your front door is that you DO NOT HAVE TO OPEN IT TO ANYBODY!
Do not open the door to anyone you do not know without first verifying that person’s identify and even then you do not
have to open the door. This includes POLICE OFFICERS, SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES, BUILDING INSPECTORS, REPAIR PERSONS,
DELIVERY PERSONS, SALESMEN, POLICITCAL or CHARITY VOLUNTEERS.
If a package is delivered as the delivery person to leave it outside and you will get it later. If a signature is
required, it can be slipped under the door. Wait thirty minutes before opening the door to pick up your package unless
you are sure the delivery person has left the area.
Do not open the door to people seeking to use your phone or for emergency assistance. Tell them through the door you
will make the call for them or you will call 911 for them.
SAFETY IN YOUR HOME
Everyday, millions of people are injured in their own home due to falls, burns and other dangers. Here is a list of
the most common types of injuries that occur in the average household and recommendations on how to avoid these types
of accidents.
FALLS:
- On wet floors
- In a bathtub or shower
- Tripping over objects, like toys, left lying around
- Standing on unsafe objects
- Falling down or up stairs
- Running indoors
- Throw rugs or carpets
- Safety Tips:
- Wipe up spills immediately
- Use a mat or non-skid stickers in tubs and showers
- Teach children to pick up their toys when done playing.
- Use a step stool or small ladder to reach high places.
- Walk up and down stairs. Use the handrails
- Teach children not to run in the house
- Make sure rugs and carpets are secure and do not have lumps.
BURNS:
- Children playing with matches
- Touching a hot stove, iron or toaster
- Household chemicals
Safety Tips:
- Teach children never to play with matches, lighters or candles.
- Use care around candles
- Do not touch hot stoves, irons or toasters. Use potholders when removing hot items from ovens.
- Unplug electrical items when not in use.
CUTS:
- Playing with or using knives, scissors, razors and other sharp objects Broken Glass
Safety Tips:
- Use caution when using a sharp knife or other sharp object
- Carry scissors, pencils or any other sharp object carefully, with the point facing down
- Never run with sharp instruments in your hand
POISONS:
- Eating or drinking things not meant to be consumed
- Eating or drinking medicine, aspirins or other drugs
- Inhaling dangerous fumes
- Eating unsafe (spoiled) foods
Safety Tips:
- Do not eat or drink anything that is not food.
- Never take medicine or other drugs unless prescribed
- Use caution when using products that produce an odor, such as gasoline, glue or paint
- If using odor-producing products, have proper ventilation to remove fumes.
- If you are not sure whether or not food is safe to eat, don’t eat it. Dispose of it.
- Poison Control Center Hotline- post by each phone 1-800 282 3171
CHOKING:
- On food; On candy
- Small objects such as coins, buttons or toy parts
Safety Tips:
- Take small bites, and chew food carefully.
- Never eat while walking.
- Be extra careful with hard candies such as jawbreakers, etc
- Teach children not to put objects into their mouths.
OTHER COMMON HOUSEHOLD DANGERS
Other things to be aware of are electrical shocks, abandoned or unsecured appliances, climbing on roofs, handling
firearms and unfamiliarity with the operation of power tools. These are just a few of the many dangers found in the
average home.
HOME SAFETY PLAN
Develop a plan for your home that covers all types of emergencies, i.e. fire, hurricanes, lost power, chemical
spills, and intruders. Establish your plan and practice it with all family members.
Additional Resources Online:
Federal Emergency Management Assoc. - http://www.fema.org/
Center for Disease Control - http://www.cdc.gov/
American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/
The Salvation Army - http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
Edgewater Police Department - http://www.cityofedgewater.org/
National Crime Prevention Council - http://www.ncpc.org/
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