Safety Precautions and Tips

Follow these simple guidelines to improve your home and personal safety.

General Safety

• As a rule of thumb, burglars are attracted to unaccompanied households. Even if you are just going out for the night, make your house seem like there is someone preset. Leave a light or TV on in one of your most “obvious” or vulnerable rooms. Motion detectors and exterior lighting are also helpful for deterring burglars.
• Make sure all exterior doors are locked, windows and drapes are shut, and remember to activate your alarm system before leaving the house.
• An unkempt yard and excess debris signals that the residents have gone away for a long period of time. Burglars are more likely to avoid your home if it looks presentable and well-kept.
• Before opening the door for an unexpected guest, look to see who it is. Your doors should have adequate peepholes that both adults and children can see through.
• Do not leave messages for lawn, delivery, or other workers, as this could also signify homeowner absence.
• Leave cash, jewelry, and other valuables in a safe or locked away instead of in drawers or on desks where they are easily accessible.

Fire Safety

• Never leave candles or open flames (such as cooking appliances, stovetops, hot clothes or hair styling irons, etc) unattended.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your house. Clean and test them regularly. Change batteries about once every year.
• Map out a secure fire escape plan and practice it with your family. Make sure every room has at least two exits and pick a specific meeting place outside of your home.
• Preferably, wear tighter clothing while cooking as excess material can easily catch on fire. Using pot holders instead of dish towels to retrieve hot items can also prevent this issue.