Here in the Santa Clarita Valley we enjoy one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Still burglaries do occur here. My advice is never think that it can’t happen to you. Although no actions you take can definitely prevent your home from being burglarized, there are some simple proactive measures that work well as deterrents. These include the following:
• Install and use a security system.
• Establish a security routine. Lock all doors and windows and turn the alarm
system on when you go to sleep or leave your home.
• Avoid giving information to unidentified telephone callers.
• Notify police if you see suspicious strangers in your area.
• Never carry house keys on a key ring that includes your home address.
• Don’t hide your keys in secret places outside your home. Burglars know where to look.
• Leave blinds open in the usual position when you leave home.
• Have mail and packages picked up, forwarded or held by the post office.
• Lower the sound of your telephone ringer and answering machine so they can’t
be heard outside.
• If you will be gone for several days, have your lawn mowed.
• Ask neighbors to throw away circulars.
• Stop newspaper deliveries.
• Use automatic timers to turn lights on and off in your living room and bedrooms
at appropriate times.
• Tell police and dependable neighbors when you plan to be away and ask them to keep a watch on what’s happening in your area.
If a child will ever be home alone:
• Establish some rules about when and how your child should answer the door and the phone when you are not there.
• Show your children how to know if the alarm is on and how to set and disarm it.
• Put deadbolts on all doors that give access to the house. Deadbolts should be
anchored to the joists, not the moldings.
• Provide a phone list of emergency numbers, including the police and fire
departments, your place of work and your neighbors.
If you have any questions about how to secure your home, your insurance agent should be able to help you. We are always happy to answer questions about home security regardless of if whether you are a client of ours.
Gregg L. Goodman, LUTCF, is the CEO of the Gregg L. Goodman Insurance Agency, Inc. He is an agent for Farmers’ Insurance and provides life, health, homeowners and auto insurance, as well as commercial insurance programs.
For more information, please call 661-254-6739.