Summertime Security Tips
During warm weather months, we often see an increase in burglary and theft.
Reasons for this include:
- Windows at residences left open for ventilation when residents are not
home.
- Unattended open garages while residents are working in the yard or have
briefly left the home.
- Unattended personal belongings while at a park or other recreational
venue.
- Unattended personal belongings visible in our vehicles.
Given this anticipated increase, we want to reiterate some summer time
safety tips to help reduce incidents of burglary and theft.
Close And Lock Windows; Limit How Far They Can Be Opened
When you are away from home, close and lock your doors and windows. If you
want to leave windows open enough for ventilation, but not wide enough for
someone to gain entry, use a dowel for sliding glass windows cut to allow
the window to open no more than 4². For double hung windows, consider sash
pins. Some windows have stops installed on the inside track, which will
also prevent the window from being opened too far.
Lock Your Doors
I have seen reports of someone stepping out to the store for a short bit and
leaving their doors visibly open. They returned to find someone had
burglarized the home. Anytime you leave your home, close and lock your
doors. Let¹s not make it easy for the burglar.
Working In The Yard
When working in the yard in the back of the home, do not leave your front
door open and/or unlocked. If you have a garage or storage unit that is out
of your line of sight, be mindful of what are you showing in plain view to
anyone who may be walking or driving by. Close those doors as well.
Do Not Leave Personal Belongings Unattended
Whether they are in a shopping cart or on a picnic blanket, always maintain
positive control over your belongings. Never leave personal belongings
unattended in your vehicle. Seattle has an incredibly high rate of theft of
personal property from vehicles, particularly at public parks.
Home Security What Works
We¹re continuing our theme of practical and effective security tips to help
secure your home from residential burglary and to make your neighborhood
less attractive to the potential burglar.
Recommendations Regarding Sliding Windows & Doors:
· Most sliding windows and doors are designed to be removed from the window
track from the 3/4-to-fully opened position. They should not be able to be
removed from a partially opened position. Installing flat head screws in
the upper track of the window can help. Install the screws high enough for
the window or door to slide freely, but low enough to prevent the window
from being lifted up and out of the track from a partially opened position.
· Use dowels for sliding windows and doors. You can use two sizes of dowels,
one for when the window is in the closed position and one to allow the
window to be opened enough for ventilation (no more than 4²) but not allow
someone to force the window open further to gain entry. We still advise
that you close and lock all windows and doors for any time you area away
from your home.
· Where you have single pane glass windows, consider replacing them with
thermal insulated, double pane windows. They are better for security as well
as the energy efficiency of the home. Yes, this is a high cost fix, but it
is worth it.
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
