July 22, 2013
DURHAM REGION – Most people think of burglary in terms of access to their home and having personal items taken or destroyed, but burglary can also cause feelings of fear and anger that lingers and cause emotional distress. Taking a few security measures to prevent burglars from entering your home can keep your family adequately protected.
Outside
Good solid doors improve your chances of keeping burglars out. Look for doors without windows or doors that do not have windows within arm's reach of the inside lock and handle. Sliding glass doors can easily be lifted out of their tracks if they aren't protected. Simply use a hockey stick or Charlie bar to prevent the door from being opened. A pin lock can also be attached to the door that will secure it to the frame.
A secure lock is an important step to keeping a burglar out of your home. A deadbolt should be installed on all access doors including the door to the garage. When choosing a deadbolt look for ones that are pick-resistant, drill resistant and saw resistant.
Windows can be smashed, pried opened and lifted off their tracks. Use a hockey stick or broom handle to secure sliding windows to protect against the window being pried open. To prevent the window from being lifted up and out you can cut a piece of wood to fill the gap between the top of the slider and the track above. A laminate or polycarbonate film can also be applied to make windows more resistant.
Inside
If you have recently purchased big ticket items (TV, Computer, etc) fold the box inside out before putting it in the recycling bin to avoid advertising the contents of your home. Also keeping expensive items, keys and purses out of sight from doors and windows will make your home less attractive.
When not in use, valuable items should be stored in a place no one would suspect. For example, jewellery that has been passed down through generations should not be kept in a jewellery box - this first place a burglar will look. A safety deposit box or a permanent safe within your home could be used instead.
Consider engraving your valuables with a personalized identifying mark. These markings should be in plain view and easy to spot. Items with identifiers are less valuable on the black market and burglars are less inclined to take them.
This information was obtained from the Home Security Audit Guide created by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services with contributions from the Peel Regional Police, Halton Regional Police, Ottawa Police Service, Insurance Bureau of Canada and the Crime Prevention Association of Toronto. To view the full guide click here.
Durham REALTORS®, We Work Where You Live. To contact a local Durham Association REALTOR® or to search for a weekend open house or listings in your neighbourhood, please visit www.DurhamRealEstate.org.
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