Tips When You are at Home

  • Have your key ready  before you get to the front door.
  • Make sure your entrance area is well lit.
  • If you live in an apartment, don’t be polite and hold the lobby door open for a stranger who has been waiting.
  • List only your last name and first initial in your mailbox.
  • Don’t buzz someone inside unless you know them.
  • If a stranger wants to use your phone for any kind of call from business to emergency. Keep him out of your home and you make the call for them! Any problems or in doubt? Call the police!
  • If you arrive home and find your door open, DO NOT GO INSIDE. Call the police from a pay phone or neighbors house and ask them to meet you.
  • Don’t get on the elevator with a stranger if your own good judgement warns you against it – need an excuse to avoid embarrassment, say something like; “Oh I forgot my mail.”
  • Equip your door with a deadbolt or drop bolt lock. The lock should also have a highly pick-resistant cylinder protected by a guard plate.
  • The peephole should be of the wide-angle type , which gives a fuller view of the outside area.
  • Do not open door until you are sure of the identity of your visitor(s).
  • Always double lock door when leaving, even to put out trash, pick up mail or walk dog.
  • Do not leave house key under mat, in mailbox or in any other area near door.
  • If on returning you find door open or tampered with, do not enter. Leave immediately and notify police.
  • If you lose your keys or they are stolen, replace lock cylinders immediately.
  • For fire escape windows the Fire Department-approved ‘ferry’ gates are recommended. Any key-operated gate is against the law on fire escape windows.
  • A licensed locksmith will show you a variety of window locks that are available for all types of windows.
  • If awakened at night by an intruder, lie still, try not to panic, and at first opportunity, call police.
  • Don’t volunteer any information to unknown callers on the telephone.