Safeguard Your Home

Safeguard your home to reduce the risk of break-ins, theft, property damage or vandalism.

At your request, police representatives visit your home to provide a safety audit and assess ways to make your home safer.

The audit is based on a checklist, and you will be provided with a report that identifies safety improvements, provides crime prevention tips and promotes other crime prevention initiatives.

Home Security Challenge

Take the Home Security Challenge by answering the following questions to see if your home is vulnerable:

Are there clear views of all windows and doors (i.e. not obscured by high fences, bushes, etc.)?
Do you ensure newspapers and flyers are collected, the driveway is shoveled and the grass is cut when you are away?
Do you leave lights on timers, both inside and outside the home, when you are away?
Do all of your doors have a deadbolt lock?
Do the strike plates (the piece of metal on the door frame that accepts the deadbolt) on your exterior door locks have four screws securing them to the frame?
Do all the windows with a single locking device have a second security feature?
Do you store your valuables in a safety deposit box or an isolated area of your home?
Are your valuables marked with your personal identification number?
Do you store your car keys in a location that is out of sight within your house?
Do you know your neighbours across the street and on all three sides of you?

Home security tips

Certain indications indicate that a home is vacant or a better target for a break-and-enter. Below is a list of suggestions to reduce your risk of becoming a victim:

When you move into a new home, you should change or re-key the locks immediately.	Always keep your front door locked.
Keep screen doors locked whenever your main door is open.	Garage doors leading directly into your home should be kept locked at all times, even when you are in the house or backyard.
Never ignore a knock at the door.	Limit the size of accessible window openings.
Chain locks are NOT recommended as security for doors. Instead, invest in a peephole/eye viewer, which allows you to look out but does not allow the person to see inside.	Lock ladders to the house, fence or inside a shed or garage. Unlocked ladders can be used to gain entrance through a second-story window.
Be sure second-story windows are closed and locked when not at home.	Trim hedges below the window level to eliminate hiding spots for criminals.
Make sure that outside lights are in good working order.	Take inventory of your property with photos or videos.
Keep objects with sentimental value in a place no one would suspect when not in use.	Keep your vehicle keys out of sight and in a location where no one would look for them.
Always lock your vehicle, even when in the garage.	Make sure your home always looks lived in (i.e. newspapers/flyers picked up, grass cut, snow shoveling, etc.).
Don't let strangers into your home.	Know your neighbours.
When leaving a message on your phone or answering machine, do not indicate that you are not home.

Contact your local Community Police Centre to schedule your free home security inspection today.