With Consumer Checklists for Home Security and Safety you can easily deter a thief by making his job not only difficult, but also time consuming. The longer the break-in takes, the better the chances are that the burglar could be caught, so in most instances, he will move to an easier target. This checklist will offer you some simple ways to secure your home and gain peace of mind. Doors
All exterior doors have good-quality deadbolt locks with no less than a 1" throw.
All latch-strike plates on the exterior doors are secured with at least 3" screws.
All exterior doors that have glass within 3 feet have double-cylinder deadbolts installed on them.(Check with local authorities regarding laws concerning double cylinder deadbolts.
All exterior doors without glass have a wide-angle door-viewer installed for identifying visitors.
All exterior doors are constructed of solid wood.
The locks on all exterior doors have been changed since moving into your home.
You always lock all of your doors when you are home for the night, or when you leave your residence.
Sliding Glass Doors
All sliding glass doors have at least one of the following:
Track lock
Insertion pin lock
Hinged door bar
Metal or wooden dowel in track
All auxiliary locks prevent the door from being lifted out of its track.
Exterior Lighting
The front entrance is lit well enough to enable you to identify visitors at night.
All other entrances are well illuminated.
Floodlights, or some other type of area illumination, cover all exterior sections of your home and property.
You exterior lighting is controlled by motion sensors.
Garage Doors
The overhead garage door, if equipped with an automatic opener, uses a "rolling code" to foil "code grabbers".
The overhead garage door, if not equipped with an automatic opener, has good-quality padlocks installed on both sides of the door.
The exterior man-door and the door from the garage into your home have quality deadbolts, and they are always used.
Even when you are home, you always close your overhead garage door.
Windows
All windows are secured with an auxiliary keyed or hex screw window lock.
The keys or hex keys are readily available in an emergency.
If you do not have keyed or hex screw locks installed, your windows are additionally secured with pins or nails.
Auxiliary window locks have been installed to allow ventilation while maintaining security.
Landscaping
All bushes, trees, and shrubs are trimmed to eliminate areas for a person to hide near your door and windows.
All tree limbs have been trimmed to prevent access to upper floor windows or balconies.
There are "prickly" or thorny shrubs planted near windows to deter loitering and hiding.
All outdoor foliage is trimmed to prevent obstruction of exterior lighting.
Exterior Entries and Possessions
All gates are locked with quality, weatherproof padlocks.
All sheds or outbuildings are secured with quality, weatherproof padlocks.
All valuables stored outside (bikes, ladders, lawnmowers, motorcycles, etc.) are secured to a fixed, immovable object.
Swimming Pool Safety
All exterior doors leading to your pool area are equipped with a specific door alarm to alert you when someone has exited without using a bypass/reset.
If your pool has a secondary fence, the gates are secured with a gate lock or auxiliary padlock.
The pool area or property line surrounding it, are enclosed with fence that is at least 6 foot high.
Every member of your household is trained in CPR.
Interior Security While You Are Away
Several lights in the home are set on an automatic timer.
A home alarm system has been installed and is working properly.
You always remember to set the alarm before you leave.
You set the alarm if you are going to be in the back yard for an extended period of time.
You discontinue mail and newspaper service when you are away from home on vacation or business.
You arrange for a friend or neighbor to come by and check on your home when you plan to be away several days or longer.
You telephone answering machine message does not announce that you are not at home.
Gun Safety
All guns are safely stored in a locked box, safe, or vault.
All guns are stored separately from the ammunition.
Guns intended for home protection are equipped with a trigger guard lock.
All members of the household have been trained to treat every gun as if it were loaded, and they know the rules of gun safety.
The Telephone:
Telephone numbers for Police, Fire Department, and local Poison Control Center, along with a neighbor's number, are posted near the telephone.
Fire and Carbon Monoxide
A smoke detector is located in the following areas:
Hallways near bedrooms
Near the family room and kitchen
At the top of any stairway
The basement
The garage
There are carbon monoxide detectors are located in the same areas as your smoke detectors, and there is an additional carbon monoxide detector located near the furnace.
There are ABC-type fire extinguishers in your kitchen, garage, and basement.
All members of your household know exactly what to do in case of fire or other emergency.
You test your smoke detectors at least once a month.
You replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year.
All flammables are stored in original, marked containers away from sources of heat or flame.
All valuable documents and possessions are stored in a fire-rated safe.
Checklists Source:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission