Home Security Tips

By far, the most common threat to your home is burglary. According to the FBI, victims of burglary offences suffered losses in the billions.

Most burglaries can be prevented.

In many of these burglaries, no force was used. That means the burglars got in through UNLOCKED doors and windows. Always lock your doors and windows even when leaving for “just a minute.” Never leave a house key available; under a doormat, in a flowerpot, or on the ledge of the door. These are the first places a burglar will look.

Tips to keep your home secure:

Exterior doors should have “dead bolt” locks with 1 inch strong metal bar extending into the door frame.
Sliding doors and windows should all have “ventilation” locks as well as auxiliary locks to bolster security.
Be sure to include good locks for garage, cellar, patio, or other doors that lead out through storage areas or a spare room.
Install a wide-angle viewer in the front door. Never open the door without knowing who is there.
Consider alarm systems and doorbell cameras.
Whenever you move to a new home, have the locks changed.

Going out, or on a trip? Follow these tips:

Lock all doors and windows.
Use timers so that lights, radio, TV go on and off throughout the house to indicate someone is home.
For longer trips be sure to stop mail and newspaper delivery or have a neighbor collect them daily.
In short, make your house look “LIVED IN.”

Remember, if you come home and see a broken window or a jimmied door, don’t go in. Confronting a burglar can be dangerous. Phone your local law enforcement agency immediately.

Safeguared your valuables:

Another deterrent to would-be burglars is to identify your valuables.

Mark your valuables with your driver’s license number preceded by the letters “CA” or some other identifying mark in an obscure place. Burglars don’t want marked merchandise because it is difficult to fence and is evidence of guilt if they are caught. It also facilitates the return of stolen property when recovered.
Photograph those items that cannot be engraved (jewelry, silverware, antiques).

Being a good neighbor:

Often times, being a good neighbor is the best way to deter crime. Law enforcement officers can’t be everywhere at once, but you and your neighbors can. You’re the ones who really know what’s going on in the neighborhood. Put that neighborhood know-how to work.

It’s simple: Just use your eyes and ears and then your phone. Don’t try to stop a criminal yourself, it can be dangerous. Instead, if you spot something suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Neighbors working together in cooperation with law enforcement make one of the best crime fighting teams around!

For more information about crime prevention, contact our District Offices staff:

North District Sergeant Faye Maloney North District Office 22701 Main Street Hayward, CA 94541 (510) 293-8608 Faye.Maloney@hayward-ca.gov	South District Sergeant Julian Cosgriff South District Office 677 W. Tennyson Road Hayward, CA 94544 (510) 293-7096 Julian.Cosgriff@hayward-ca.gov