Several things that HMP residents can do to reduce their chances of being crime victims include these tips from major law enforcement agencies:
- Light the outside of your home to make it more visible to your neighbor. Outside motion detector lights can make it almost impossible for a burglar to enter without being seen.
- Make sure all your exterior doors have good locks: At least dead-bolt locks with a minimum one-inch throw.
- Make sure outside doors are solid: 1¾ inch metal or hardwood.
- Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or put a wooden dowel or broom handle in the door track. A screw partially seated in the overhead track will prevent the doors from being lifted out.
- Make sure your windows have good locks, particularly those at ground level. Lock double-hung windows by sliding a small-headed bolt or nail through a hole drilled at a slight downward angle in a top corner of the inside sash and partway into the outside sash.
- Trim bushes near doors to reduce hiding places for burglars.
- Make sure all porches, entrances, and outside areas are well lit.
- Install peepholes in all outside doors.
- Trim any bushes or trees that hide doors or windows.
- Keep ladders and tools inside when you’re not using them.
- Keep lawn chairs and tables away from under windows.
- Keep a list of your valuables and their serial numbers. A videotape, photograph, or sales receipts will help with insurance claims.
- Before you leave, set timers so that lights, TVs, and radios go on and off.
- If you are going to be away, contact the post office to have your mail stopped while you are away or have someone pick up the mail and any newspapers, take your garbage can out and back, check the doors for flyers, and shovel a path to the door if it is snowing.
- Close your garage door. An empty garage says you’re not at home. Thieves can easily steal bikes, lawnmowers, snow blowers, and other valuables. Burglars can close the garage door and take their time breaking into your home.
- Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight. Don’t store the title for your car in the glove compartment. You will need it to prove ownership if the car is stolen.
- Never surprise a burglar. If you see something that makes you think your home may have been robbed, do not go in. Go to a safe place and call the police. The burglar may still be around.