Lock it

here are a few tips that i can give you for your protection.

1. When ever you purchase a new home Locks should be re-keyed, you can never know who may have key's to your new home. repo houses are re-keyed so that service personnel can enter when needed. also many times a friend or relative has a key for the previous owners. CHANGE LOCK'S
2. If renting you need to ask the landlord/mgr. if all the locks have been changed, who has access to your unit and what back ground checks they preform on staff. check all locks for proper working condition.
3. Dead Bolts should be installed on all entry doors.
4. Make sure all entry points are well lit and cleared from shrubs and visible to others.
5. Keep all windows locked, if you need a window open for air secure them open only a few inches. most windows have Locks that are lockable in several positions. if not, you can drill a hole with a small drill bit through the inside sash 1/4 inch into the out side sash and put a screw or a pin in the position you are comfortable with.
6. Keep tools and ladders locked away out of sight from would be thieves. this is what we call thieves of opportunity. they see a latter and the shovel that you left out and get the idea to use them. even if you have good locks they will do damage trying to get in.
7. Know your neighbors. your neighbors can be your best friend or your worst nightmare so talk to them and get to know them. mostly you will find that they are good people but some one in the area is not and it is best when a neighborhood watches out for each other. thieves don't like nosy neighbors