Home Safety Tips

Burglars hit a house, apartment, or condominium every 15 seconds. If a burglar picks your home, you may have inadvertently invited him there. He looks for what police call "targets of opportunity," in other words, "easy pickings."

To protect yourself, make your home look occupied when you're away. Chances are the thief will pass it up for an easier target.

Also, make a reasonable investment in good locks, lights, timers and possibly an alarm system. No security device is a 100 percent guarantee, but it may just be the deterrent that keeps your home safe.

Here are some helpful hints:

Leave drapes and shades open; your neighbours can see if someone is in your house when you are away.
If you can, have a neighbour close some of your drapes at night, as you would do usually if you were home.
Changes make a house looked lived in; have your lights on timers; use multiple-settings where possible so that it appears to be somewhat random.
Have your yard taken care of; if you will be away for a long time, have someone cut the grass, shovel the driveway, walks and steps.
Put peepholes in doors - and use them!
Never leave a note on the door for someone telling them you are out.
Take care with keys; don't hide keys in obvious places - burglars know where to look!
Display "Beware" signs.
If you have an alarm system, put up signs that say so - they deter thieves.
Leave a radio on; put the radio on a timer so it comes on in the morning and evening.
If you have a volume adjustment on the phone ringer, turn it to the lowest level/off. No one will hear an unanswered phone.
Light the outside of your home with motion detector lights
Mark valuables using Operation Identification
Secure patio doors and windows; use locking bars not just the tiny latch. Place a screw in the overhead tracks so the glass can't be lifted out
Keep the garage door closed and locked; attached garages give thieves a secluded place to work
If you have an electric garage door opener, unplug it so it can't be opened electronically.
Park a car in your driveway; if you usually park in the driveway have a neighbour park their second car in your driveway - not only does this make the house looked lived in but it prevents burglars from backing vans up for loading.

Apartment Safety

Don’t leave it all to the Superintendent or the Police. By following these suggestions you can make your building a safer place in which to live.The security of the apartment building you live in is only as effective as you make it.

Some tips for securing your apartment:

When the buzzer rings, check identity of person(s) seeking entrance before releasing spring latch on lobby door. Unknown or suspicious persons seeking entrance to the building should be referred to the Superintendent
Notify the Superintendent when your apartment will be vacant
Make arrangements with a neighbour or the superintendent to receive deliveries
Do NOT leave notes on the lobby callboard
Do NOT identify yourself on the lobby callboard as a female living alone. Only your first initials should identify you (i.e.: C.W. Smith)
When moving into a new apartment, have the lock cylinders changed. Before changing or replacing locks in your apartment, check with your Superintendent. Permission is usually required.
Your apartment doors should be equipped with good quality deadbolt locks, with a 1" bolt
Install a wide angle door viewer
Secure sliding doors on the balcony with "jimmy bars" or place a length of wood in the bottom track, making sure it fits snugly
Good quality locks should be placed on all windows, especially those opening onto rooftops or balconies
Do NOT enter an elevator if you are suspicious of the occupant(s) - wait for the next one
When in an elevator, stand near the floor button panel. In a difficult situation, push as many buttons as possible, particularly the ALARM button. DO NOT touch the emergency stop button, as it immobilizes the elevator, perhaps between floors. If telephone available, lifting receiver automatically activates the alarm.
Do not do laundry when you are likely to be alone, or at night.
Be alert to vehicles or persons following you into the garage. Never enter your car without checking that it is safe to do so. Don't expose yourself to unnecessary risk. Drive out of the garage if you encounter suspicious circumstances and report immediately to the Superintendent or the Police.
Lock your vehicle and remove any high value, portable items. Place all other items out of sight.
Inform the Superintendent or a neighbour of your intended vacation departure and return dates.
Leave a number where you can be reached in case of an emergency.
Cancel all deliveries, including mail when on vacation or have a neighbour pick up newspapers and mail.
Use clock timers when away to activate lights and radios to give the impression that someone is home.
Small valuables should be stored in a safety deposit box.
Before leaving, be sure to check that all windows and doors are secured.
Do not store valuable property in apartment lockers.
Report suspicious persons loitering in the vicinity of locker rooms to the Superintendent or to the Police.
Call Police if you see something suspicious
Write down the description of any suspicious persons
Get the make, model, colour, and license number of strange vehicles.
Call the police immediately

Vacation Precautions

Leave the following information with a trusted friend or neighbour:

Where you are going
How you can be reached in case of emergency
When you expect to return
Names of anyone who will be at your home in your absence
Leave a key with your neighbour
If someone is house-sitting – introduce them to your neighbours
Schedule them to enter and tour your home to inspect for forced entry or damage ( burst pipes, etc.) and normal home activities (water plants collect flyers, feed and walk pets, etc.) while you are away as required by your home or property insurance policy. If you don't know how often contact your insurance company!