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• Do NOT enter your house; the criminal may still be inside.
• Use your cell phone or a neighbours phone and call the Police at 911.
• Do NOT touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
• Note the license number of any suspicious vehicle.
• Note the description of any suspicious person(s).

1. Ensure all exterior doors and windows are sufficiently strong to withstand an attack.
2. Ensure hinges on exterior doors are either not accessible from the outside or modified so that they don’t represent an easy means of access.
3. Install dead bolts or equivalent locks on all doors.
4. Secure sliding glass doors.
5. Lock and secure garage doors.
6. Install burglar resistant glazing materials on basement and ground floor windows and on door windows that can be reached and opened (within 40 inches or one meter), should the door glass or any adjacent window be broken.
7. Lock service accesses such as milk boxes, or cat/dog entrances that are small enough for entry.
8. Install exterior lighting at all entry points.
9. Fit all windows with security pins or nails or other reliable latching devices.
10. Install a wide-angle peep hole in all exterior doors.
11. If you have burglar bars installed on any windows, equip them with quick release devices so people can get out easily in case of fire.
12. Do not hid extra keys under a mats or flowerpots.

Windows:

• Most windows can be pinned for security; drill a 3/16″ hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame; place a nail/pin in the hole to secure the window.
• Sliding doors and windows can be lifted out of their tracks with relative ease; install self-tapping screws in the upper track that allow the door/window to slide into place.
• Place a piece of wood into the bottom tracking to resist lateral forcing.
• Install Burglar resistant glazing and latches on upper floor and basement windows.
• Secure upstairs windows by drilling holes through both frames and insert with a double-headed nail.

Doors:

• Locks with keyholes in the knob are NOT reliable – they can be easily forced.
• Doors should be mounted so hinge bolts are not facing outwards.
• Install one-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.
• Chain locks are poor security; install a wide-angle viewer instead.
• Padlocks should be “heel and toe locking”.
• If keys are lost, locks should be changed.
• Control who you give extra keys too.
• Place burglar resistant glazing in areas of glass in or beside the door.
• Pins or lock screws can prevent hinge removal on exposed door hinges.

Garages:

• Lock garage doors.
• Don’t store ladders in garages.

House Exteriors:

• Create more visibility around your house; trim your bushes.

1. Get an alarm system installed. Even the company’s sticker on your front door is enough to prevent a break-in.
2. Place a piece of wood in your windows to prevent them from being pried open from the outside.
3. Ask your neighbours to collect mail, flyers, and newspapers. If you are away for an extended period of time, stop newspapers, and ask the post office to hold your mail.
4. Have someone maintain your home. In the summer ask a friend or neighbour to water your garden and cut your lawn. In the winter have someone shovel your walkways, sidewalks and driveway.
5. Have your lights and television on automatic timers. Hook both inside and outside lights to timers so they go on and off at specific times.
6. Install motion lights outside of your house.
7. Hire a security patrol to check on things. This is a good option during peak vacation times like summer, when your neighbours might also be away.
8. Store small valuables in a safe deposit box.
9. Ensure all entry points to your home are locked and secured.
10. Do not leave notes indicating that you are away.
11. Make sure your garage door is locked.
12. Make sure windows and doors are not blocked by overgrown shrubs.
13. Lock up extension ladders.
14. Put away any outside utensil that could be used as break-in instruments.
15. Do not leave car or house keys by the front door or in the kitchen.
16. When buying high value items, cut up and turn boxes inside out before you throw them into the garbage or recycle.
17. Don’t leave a message on your voice mail saying you are away.

Is a program designed to discourage the theft of valuables from your home and other locations. It provides a way to easily identify stolen property.

Marked items are difficult to dispose of and are easily traced. If it is advertised that your valuables are marked using Operation Identification, you are less likely to be victimized.

To join, contact your local police. You will be loaned an engraver, free of charge. You will also receive an OPERATION IDENTIFICATION record sheet and decals. The decals should be placed at main entries to indicate that your valuables are marked. Use a number such as your Social Insurance Number or Driver’s license. Below is a list of items to engrave, mark or take pictures of: