By Deputy Raashid Brown
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Officer
The first step in preventing a burglary at your home is to eliminate the opportunity. It’s up to you to reduce the risk of a burglary at your home. Increasing your awareness of home safety procedures is a great starting point. Though many people only worry about nighttime security, most burglaries actually occur during daylight hours when most people are at work, school, or running errands. Its important to take precautions during the day, at night, and any time you leave the house to ensure your home stays secure.
Please consider the following burglary prevention tips!
1. Keep all doors, windows, and gates locked and secured. An open door, window or gate is an open invitation for burglars. Burglars are quick to spot weak locks that can be easily forced open. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate with three-inch screws. All windows should have window locks. Check to ensure windows are actually locked and not just closed.
2. Always lock the door that leads to your residence from an attached garage. Dont rely on automatic garage door opener for security.
3. Using timers on lights, radios and TVs gives the appearance that someone is home. This has been known to help deter criminals from entering a residence.
4. Be mindful of posting on social media that you are going out of town. You never know who is monitoring your information.
5. Get to know your 5. Select five trustworthy neighbors who can look over look after your home while you are away. I suggest three people across from you and one on either side or behind you.
6. Do not allow mail to stack up in the mailbox. Burglars have been known to monitor mail before committing a burglary. Have one of your 5 collect your mail while you are away or request the postal service to hold your mail. You can request such by following the link: https://m.usps.com/m/HoldMail
7. Keep shrubbery trimmed and away from entrances and walkways. Large decorative hedges may be beautiful, but they also provide a hiding place for burglars who need only a minute to break in through a window or door.
8. Keep the perimeter of your home well lit. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a cost-effective way to discourage intruders as well as highlight a house.
9. Consider purchasing a doorbell camera system. A good doorbell camera system, positioned correctly, will alert you to someone being at your home. This technology has assisted law enforcement agencies across the nation in the apprehension of burglary suspects.
10. Become involved in your local neighborhood watch group. If your neighborhood currently doesnt have a neighborhood watch program, talk with a few neighbors about starting one. Reach out to your local police department in the municipality you reside in for assistance.
