Burglary Prevention of Residence Lawyers

You may take many steps to avoid having your house the target of a burglary. A lengthy list of these actions is shown below:

• Answering Machine: You should leave a general message on your answering machine, such as “I can’t get to the phone right now,” and leave the volume on high. In order to avoid attracting the attention of potential burglars, the other thing would be to keep the volume down.
• Keys: Be careful not to lose your keys in a public area; if you do, make sure you haven’t marked the keys with their owner’s name so that anyone can use them.
• Warning Signs: Post a beware of dog or alarm warning sign to warn potential burglars of the dangers they may face when attempting to enter your property, regardless of whether you have a dog or alarm system or not.
• Band Together: Create a neighborhood watch organization where neighbors band together to fight for a shared goal—preventing burglaries.
• Peephole: Install a peephole with a broader angle so you can see more of your entrance, where a stranger might be lurking, waiting for you to open your door so they can pounce.
• Vacations: Put your newspaper on hold and ask a post office or neighbor to pick up your mail while you’re away.
• Lighting on the Premises: By keeping the Premises well-lit, you can dissuade a possible burglar who is terrified of being seen in the light.
• Secure Tool Shed: A tool shed in your backyard is a potential source of tools that a thief could use to get into your home, or it could just be a place where merchandise can be taken outright.
• Secure Garage: Similar to a tool shed, a garage may have equipment a thief could use to enter your home. A burglar may also have easy access to your home if your garage is attached to it and you just close the door to the garage to secure entry rather than securing the door between the garage and the house.
• Glass Doors: Sliding glass doors are simple to take off their tracks and open in order to enter a house. It is advised to replace the door with something safer, like a wooden door that is more difficult to smash than glass or to secure it with screws or a steel rod.
• Protected Entries: When you are away from your home, never leave any windows or doors open or unlocked.
• Alarm System: Setting up an alarm system is a great approach to stopping break-ins. Any intruder is likely to flee upon activation of an alarm system, whether or not there is a warning indication (unless, of course, it is a silent alarm).

The Basics of Burglary

Make it difficult for burglars to enter your home by making it appear occupied.

Before leaving the house or turning in for the night, lock all outside doors and windows. Lock your doors, even if only briefly.

When leaving, leave the lights on. Connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on at night and off during the day if you will be gone for a while.

Lock the garage door and keep it closed.

Keep your daily mail, newspaper, or flyer deliveries from accumulating while you are abroad. Set up a mail hold with the post office, or ask a friend or neighbor to pick up your mail frequently.

If you’re going to be gone for a while, make arrangements to have your lawn mowed.

Check the locks on your windows and doors, and if required, replace them with security systems.

Doorknob push-button locks are simple for thieves to pick. All of your exterior doors should have deadbolt locks.

Glass sliding doors can break. There are specialized locks available for more security.

There may be windows that require improved locks. For alternatives, consult a locksmith or hardware store.

Don’t Tempt a Thief

It’s preferable to store bicycles, grills, lawnmowers, and weed eaters out of sight.

Garages and garden sheds should always be locked.

Cover windows in the garage and basement with drapes.

Never leave messages like “Gone shopping” on your door.

Get the Best Locks

No lock, no matter how good it is, can be truly effective. Deadbolt locks with a key offer the bare minimum in security. Consult a locksmith about your problem.

If your keys are stolen or lost, replace the locks right away.

Change all of the locks when you move into a new house.

Focusing on the Exterior

Have sufficient outside lighting. For backyards, a motion-sensitive light is advised.

Trim shrubs and trees to prevent trespassers from using them as cover.

Make sure the hinges on your doors are inside.

For security, the majority of windows can be pinned.

To secure the window, drill a 3/16″ hole that is slightly slanted down through the interior of the window frame and halfway into the exterior frame.

A home security alarm system is highly recommended. Homeowners benefit from having peace of mind, particularly when traveling. There are many different types of alarm systems available.

Ask other businesses for recommendations on the best security system they have to offer.

If Someone Breaks Into Your House

Do not enter if you arrive home to discover an oddly open or shattered window or door; the offender may still be inside.

Call the police from your cell phone or a friend’s phone.

Before the police search for evidence, do not touch or clean anything.

Any suspicious vehicles’ license plate numbers should be noted down.

Take note of any questionable individuals’ descriptions.

Added Safety Measures You Should Take

Never put your keys in “secret” hiding places like flower pots, mailboxes, or doormats because burglars are aware of these locations.

Keep a thorough inventory of your priceless possessions that includes a description of each item, the date it was purchased, its original value, and its serial number. Store a copy of the inventory somewhere safe that is not your home as an extra safety measure in case of fire or another disaster. Take pictures or videos of priceless items, heirlooms, and antiques. Making and maintaining your inventory can be made easier with help from your insurance provider.

To make your home less of a cover for burglars, trim the shrubbery surrounding it.

Respect your neighbors. Call 911 right away if you see anything unusual in your neighborhood.

You can borrow an engraving tool from your police department to engrave your license number on your valuables.

Marked things are more difficult for a burglar to get rid of and simpler for the police to find.

Create a neighborhood watch organization. To increase security and lower the chance of a break-in, a lawyer can assist you in collaborating with your neighbors.

To report a crime or any suspicious activity, calling the police is the most crucial action you can take. You need to serve as your community’s eyes and ears. And keep in mind that you can always act as an anonymous set of eyes.

What Should Victims of a Crime Do?

Call the police if you’ve been a victim of a break-in. If there is enough evidence, the police will then send your case to the district attorney’s office so that the burglary’s perpetrator can be put on trial. Contact a criminal lawyer on LegalMatch for more help.