Housing...Inside and Out

June 16, 2000
What To Do Before A Burglar Arrives

Burglars are beginning to take advantage of country hospitality. They have figured out that the isolation and the trusting nature of rural people makes the country a great place to increase their income. Therefore, both town and country residents should know what can be done to avoid playing host to these uninvited guests.

Drastic measures, such as high walls or iron gates, are not needed to secure the grounds. Good lighting and landscaping will discourage burglars from approaching your home.

Outdoor security lamps that are resistant to vandalism are available. Direct light away from the house to light up the surrounding areas rather than putting a house in a spotlight. Keep a powerful flashlight handy to check the parts of your property that are hidden in shadows.

While lighting can reveal an intruder, high bushes can hide one. Keep shrubbery near the house trimmed. Make sure the windows are not concealed by bushes.

A hedge or fence along the perimeter of your yard can serve as a property barrier to keep someone from snooping around. Remember, a fence that is high enough to cut off the view of the house from the road is more to a thief's advantage than yours.

Burglars look for homes that appear to be unoccupied - shades down, lights off, car gone - all "welcome burglar" signs. If you plan to leave your home even for a short time, lock all doors, including garage doors.

Remove valuables that are movable out of sight from windows. Leave drapes and shades in the normal position.

Turn on a radio to add to the illusion of people at home.

Take the phone off the hook if you expect to be gone only briefly. Burglars will often telephone a potential target. A busy signal throws a wet blanket on their plans.

Keep your dog inside the house at night and when you are away. Even a small dog's fierce barking will give a burglar second thoughts. If the dog is left outside, he can be silenced with violence or a piece of meat.

Don't advertise your vacation plans. Tell only a few trusted friends or neighbors who will keep an eye on things for you while you are away. Cancel newspaper and mail deliveries. Move garbage pails inside, or ask neighbors to fill them to keep a burglar guessing.

Do not leave a recorded message on the telephone stating you are not at home or telling when you will return. Turn down the ringer so unanswered calls will not be detected from outside the house, or have calls forwarded to the phone number where you will be.

Buy an automatic timer that switches on lights and radio at varied intervals. Arrange to have your lawn mown and leave a second car in the driveway.

Finally, remove all expensive valuables to a safe deposit box. Make it a habit to lock all your exterior doors with a sturdy dead bolt lock. Also lock windows and garage doors. A good way to secure a garage door is with a hardened steel padlock through the roller track. Disconnect electric garage doors when going on a trip.

Never hide your house keys outside the house. Burglars know all the obvious places to look and some that are not so obvious. Instead, leave the keys with a trusted neighbor.

SUGGESTION: Consult your sheriff to find out if rural communities in your county participate in Neighborhood Watch Programs and explain some of the benefits.


Written by Dr. Francis Graham (Retired)

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