Protecting your home and vehicle from theft starts with simple, everyday actions. Lock all exterior doors, avoid leaving valuables in plain sight, and ensure your property is well-lit and visible. Building a connection with your neighbors and practicing neighborhood watch principles can also provide added security. These small steps can make a big difference in keeping your home safe.
Lock the doors to your home and vehicles
Keep all of your exterior doors locked, even when you are at home. This includes garages, sheds, and vehicles. It is easy for someone to quickly enter your front door, unnoticed, while you are in the backyard.
Additionally, if you have extra sets of keys, avoid hiding them in common areas such as the mailbox or underneath the door mat.
Keep valuables out of sight
Do not leave valuables in plain sight inside or outside of your house, or in your vehicle. For example, do not leave a bike outside on the lawn or a laptop inside of a vehicle.
Maintain a clear view
Assess your outdoor lighting and consider if it effectively lights entry points to your residence, garage/shed, and vehicle. Adding motion lights or home security cameras can be an effective deterrent, but ensure they are installed properly to avoid being tampered with.
Where possible, refrain from items or vegetation that obscure the view to entry points, such as doors and windows. These obstructions create hiding places for someone trying to gain entrance to your residence.
Use neighbourhood watch principles
Your neighbours can be your best ally against property crime. By communicating with them, they can be aware of your daily routine, aiding in them noticing suspicious activity. If you are away for an extended period of time and want to give the perception someone is still home, you can ask your neighbours to do the following:
- Collect your mail.
- Take in/out trash.
- Park one of their vehicles in your driveway.
- Check on your property.