Tips for Protecting Your Home

When at Home
• When working in your yard or garage keep all doors locked.
• When in your house, keep your doors locked.
• Keep your blinds and/or curtains closed at night so people cannot see in.

In Your Yard
• Trim trees and bushes that could conceal burglars, specifically around windows and doors.
• Keep your yard maintained to give the house a lived-in appearance: keep grass cut, rake
leaves, and remove dead branches and debris.
• Install additional exterior lights to brighten dark areas around doors, windows, and vehicles.

When on Vacation
• Arrange to have your mail picked up and stop delivery of newspapers/flyers.
• Remember to have the grass cut, the leaves raked, or the snow removed.
• Use timers on a few lamps in rooms where the light will be noticed from outside your house.
• Have a neighbour check both inside and outside the house every few days. Ask them to pick up
items delivered while you are away.
• If you have an assigned parking space or driveway, ask a neighbour to park their car
in your space.
• Set televisions or radios to play to give the impression that people are home.

In Your Community
• Get to know your neighbours and your neighbourhood.
• Be aware of strangers and suspicious vehicles, and look out for neighbours and their property.
• Leave keys and emergency phone numbers with a trusted neighbour.
• Keep up appearances – a well-tended neighborhood is less attractive to criminals
and vandals.
• Get involved in crime prevention programs.