40 Ways To Discourage Burglary

• Be sure your house numbers are readable from the street so police, fire, or medical personnel can more easily find your home in an emergency.
• Install good exterior lighting (under the eaves so burglars will have a hard time reaching the bulb, or cover with chicken wire to discourage tampering).
• Leave outside lights on during the night.
• Trim back shrubs around doors and windows of your home. Do not give burglars sheltered areas in which to hide as they work.
• Carefully store ladders, padlocking them to fixed objects or keep inside garage.
• Identify your mailbox with the minimal information allowed by Postal regulation.
• Use a large mailbox so your mail never has to stay on the doorstep all day.
• Frost or cover garage windows and keep doors closed so no one can see when your car is gone.
• Shut and lock your garage door when you are not inside.
• Do not leave your garage door opener in open view in your car.
• Do not hide spare house keys (or car keys) outside your house (or car). Instead, keep them with a trusted neighbor or friend.
• Do not put non-coded identification of any kind on your key ring (in case it becomes lost and fall into the wrong hands).
• Leave only your ignition key with an attendant in a pay parking lot.
• Lock all doors and windows, even if you are only going to be gone for a short time.
• Have locks changed or re-keyed when you move into a new house or apartment.
• Install deadbolt door locks on exterior home doors and interior doors between the garage and house.
• Use three-inch screws to secure the receiver latch of a dead bolt to your doorframe.
• Use safety double-cylinder dead bolt locks on exterior doors where glass panels are present within 40 inches of the lock.
• Install auxiliary locking devices on all windows.
• Install track-type locks, removable drop bars (such as a "Charlie Bar"), or pinning devices on sliding glass doors.
• Consider installing a UL approved alarm system in your home.
• Consider keeping some valuables in a safe deposit box.
• Engrave all possible valuables in our home with your WA Driver's License number and display "Operation Identification" decals on your home to warn would-be-burglars that your belongings can be readily identified and traced.
• Be suspicious of strangers and unfamiliar vehicles in your neighborhood. Note license plate information. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to call 911.
• Never allow strangers to enter your home. Verify unexpected workers, etc. via their identification cards and by telephoning the organization or business they represent.
• Always ask to see door-to-door vendor's permit or license.
• In conversations with strangers, do not reveal if or when your home will be empty. Provide no personal information to strangers at your door or over your telephone.
• Do not talk about impending trips to strangers or while in public places where you might be overheard.
• Do not leave notes for workers, family, or friends on your door while away from the house.
• Never give keys to workers. Instead, if you are not going to be home, ask a trusted neighbor to let them in and to re-lock the door after the workers leave.
• Keep a radio or TV (loud enough to be heard outside the front door) and various indoor lights on (some can be on timers) while away from home.
• While away, set your telephone ringer on "low" so unanswered ringing cannot be heard outside the home.
• While away, arrange window shades and blinds in various open and shut positions to make it appear that you are home.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to park an extra car in your driveway when you are away for extended periods.
• Even have trusted neighbors use your trashcans, recycling bins, etc. while you are away.
• Arrange for the maintenance of your yard while you are away so your residence has a "lived in" look.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to pick up daily mail and other items from your home while you are away.
• Have merchandise delivered to a trusted neighbor in your absence.
• Consider employing a housesitter while away for an extended period.
• Acquire the Crime Prevention Handbook or obtain further information by calling the Lynnwood Police Department at 425 744-6938.