Home security habits checklist

Do you lock up?

1. Are your doors locked while you are in the house?

2. Is your front door locked while you are in the backyard (and vice versa)?

3. Do you lock your doors when you leave the house for even a few minutes?

4. Do you pin your windows when you leave your house?

5. Are your basement windows locked or permanently secured with screws or bars?
6. Do you keep your garage doors closed and locked at all times?

Does your home look occupied?

1. When you are gone for the evening, do you leave an outdoor and an indoor light on?
2. Do you leave a radio, TV, etc., on when your home is not occupied at night or during the day?

3. When you go on vacation do you:

• Have a neighbor watch your house ?

• Move drapes, shades, and blinds?

• Mow the lawn/shovel snow ?

• Collect mail, newspapers?

Do you practice yard security?

1. Do you keep valuables such as bicycles and lawn equipment locked up and out of sight?

2. Do you lock up tools and ladders after you use them?

3. Do you keep shrubbery and bushes well trimmed?

4. If you have a fence, can your neighbors see through it or over it?

5. If you have exterior lights, do they prevent shadows where burglars could hide at night?

Do you practice overall security?

1. Is the emergency number 911 by the phone?

2. Do you have a block map listing neighbors’ names, phone numbers, and addresses by your phon

3. Do you know how to report suspicious activity or crimes to the police? Do your children know how to report?

4. Do you ask strangers at your door for proper identification before talking to them?

5. Do your children tell strangers “Mommy (or Daddy) is busy” rather than “Mommy (or Daddy) is not home”?

6. If someone came to the door needing help, would you make the phone call to the police (or other necessary calls) rather than letting the person come in?