When you leave home, whether you're planning to be away for an hour or several days, you can minimize the chance that your home will be broken into and your valuables stolen. Consider the following prevention tips:

• • Deadbolt locks should be used on all external doors. Locks are only good if they are used.
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• • Sliding doors should be secured with a sturdy pin to hold them in place or with a sturdy bar to jam the door into place.
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• • Double-hung windows should be secured by drilling a nail size hole between the inner and outer frames, and inserting a nail to prevent them from being forced open.
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• • Never hide a key outside the home. A trustworthy friend or neighbor should keep a key in case of emergency.
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• • Rekey the locks if you lose a key, or if you move into a new home.
• All external doors should be constructed of metal or heavy wood.
• Use external lighting where possible. A thief will usually avoid a well lit area.
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• • The more visible your house is to passersby, the less likely it is to be broken into.
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• • Create the illusion that someone is home by using electronic timers on lamps or radios.
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• • When you are planning to be away from home for a few days, ask a neighbor to pick up newspapers or mail, or stop delivery during the period of time you will be away.
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• • Leave shades in normal position when you are away from home
• Record a list of items of value in your home and keep this list in a safe place. Include serial numbers and descriptions.
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• • Use "owner applied" personal numbers, such as social security numbers on valuables, such as televisions, VCR's, and bicycles.
  

Remember, in order for a crime to occur, three elements must be present:

1. The desire to commit a crime.
2. The ability to commit a crime.
3. The opportunity to commit a crime.

If you do all that you can to eliminate the opportunity for a person to commit a crime by protecting your home using the tips above, you can minimize the chances your home will be broken into.

210 East Hemlock Street
Post Office Box 443
Yadkinville, NC 27055

Phone 336-679-4217
Fax 336-679-7982