Tips on Home Safety

Brought to you by the police officers, detectives and the Community
Service Office of Area E-13. Because information is the first step in
protecting yourselves from becoming a victim of a crime.

Locks

• Make sure every external door has a dead bolt lock with a minimum of
  a 11/2" bolt lock
• Secure sliding glass doors with either a commercially available lock
  or a wooden dowel or broomstick in the track to jam it.
  
• Secure double hung windows by using key locks or by sliding a bolt or
  nail through a hole drilled at a downward angle in top corners of the inside
  sash and part way through the outside sash. secure basement windows too.
• Do not hide keys in mailboxes, planters, under doormats. Give an
  extra key to the neighbor you trust.

Doors

• Make sure all exterior doors are metal or solid, 1 3/4" hardwood.
  
• Doors should fit tightly in thier frames, with hinge pins on the inside.

The Outside

• Trim shrubbery that hides doors or windows. Cut tree limbs that might assist a thief to climb into a window.
• Turn on outside lights after dark to illuminate porches, entrances and yards, front and back. Consider timers that turn on outside lights, or install motion detectors.
• Store all yard equipment securely when not using them.
  
• Make sure house numbers are displayed clearly.
  
• Keep your neighborhood clean. Work with local government and your neighbors to organize community cleanup days.
  
• Place radio's, Televisions, interior lights on timers, give the appearance someone is at home. Stop mail delivery, Have someone collect your newspapers.
  
• INVEST IN A REPUTABLE ALARM SYSTEM. ( A note from Sergeant Fish,
  Check references relative to the alarm center, make sure they have a good track
  record.)
• Dispose of boxes containing expensive purchases such as televisions, appliances. Do not leave them out front for rubbish collection.
• Please make a list of all valuables including serial numbers. Secure this document in case of a crime and have it ready for the police report.
• All those folks who rent in our Jamaica Plain community, Please!!! Look into Renters' Insurance. Our community has several Insurance Agencies.

  Please stay safe. If you see an open door, window or slashed screen, DO NOT
  GO IN. CALL 911.