Home Security

Home security can be as effective as you make it. Do not leave the responsibility for your safety and security to others. REDUCE YOUR RISK by practicing the crime prevention strategies outlined in this pamphlet. Together, you and your neighbours can work towards reducing crime in your area.

Home Safety Starts With You

Step 1 – ALWAYS give your home a lived-in look

• Remove flyers off your property

• Make arrangements to do timely yard and winter driveway maintenance, especially when you’re not home

• Sets your lights to turn on and off during the evening hours

• Have a trusted friend or neighbour monitor your property when you’re away

Step 2 – EVALUATE your property as if you were the thief

• Undertake a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessment of your property. Contact your local Crime Prevention Officer to arrange an assessment

• Look for ways a thief can access your home or property without being seen and take corrective action

Step 3 - CHECK the physical security of your doors and windows

Door Security

• Ensure your home has a good quality one-inch deadbolt lock on all exterior doors including the one leading from the garage. Install a four hole security strike plate with screws long enough to penetrate the 2 x 4 which sits behind frame

• Do not rely on a chain lock as they provide poor security, use a deadbolt

Patio/Sliding Door Security

• Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or put a wooden dowel or broom handle in the door track. Burglars look for sliding glass doors because they are the easiest to open

• Consider drilling holes through the centre of the upper track of the door frame in the area above where the door sits in the locked position to prevent it from being lifted up and out. Insert screws to fill the gap between the top of the door and the track

• Keep patio doors closed and locked when not in use including any that are accessed by a balcony

You can reduce your chances of your being targeted and/or broken into in three easy steps

Windows Security

• Place a stick in the track of sliding windows and inside the maintenance gap at the top of the window to prevent it from being lifted up and out

• For extra security consider pinning the windows where the frames overlap. Accomplish this by drilling a hole through both frames (stopping short of the outside) and insert a security pin or double-headed nail

Garage & Driveway Security

• Garages are a favourite target for thieves. Keep all your garage doors closed and locked, even when you’re at home

• Always lock your vehicle and remove any valuables when you leave your vehicle parked in the driveway

• Install a motion-activated light that is directed at your driveway

Garbage & Recycling Security

• Take your garbage or recycling bins in as soon as possible. Store them away from windows so that they cannot be used as ladders

• Break up packaging for high value, electronic equipment and place it in the recycling bin

• Shred all personal and financial information

And Don’t Forget to…

• Re-key your locks, when you move in or lose your keys

• Be a good neighbour. Report anything suspicious to the Police

• Ask for and inspect credentials of delivery and service people - even Police Officers - before you allow them to enter

• Secure or hide your jewellery in a secure, uncommon place, where it is not readily found. Keep a record of your valuables

• Identify your property by using a Trace Identified pen or by engraving an identifying mark(www.traceidentified.com)

• Avoid giving out personal information on the telephone. NEVER say you are alone

• Look around before getting out of your vehicle. If you encounter a suspicious situation or person, remain in your vehicle. If you are unable to leave your vehicle, “HONK” your horn to attract attention

Is Your Home A Target?

Criminals are known to be drawn to homes where potential entrances are hidden or otherwise obscured by landscaping and it looks like no one is home. This is especially true of homes that can be publicly accessed by two or more sides and those without a garage

If A Crime Has Occured

• Call 9-1-1 should be called if there is a crime in progress or an immediate threat to the safety of persons or property

• If you arrive at your home and suspect there has been a break-in do NOT enter - the criminal may still be inside. Use your cell phone or go to a neighbour’s house

• Do NOT touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence

• Note the description any suspicious person(s) or vehicle including direction of travel

To report a crime anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at: 1-800-222-8477(TIPS), online at 222tips.com or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637)

In an emergency, call 9-1-1

To report a crime to the Toronto Police that is not an emergency, call 416-808-2222