Mr.Goodbar Security Bars 1-866-330-2223
 
 
Home Page Home Security Products Product Information Product Guide Security Tips & Information About Mr. Goodbar Security Contact Us
 

monthly security tips

Crime Prevention Tip of the Month

May 2005
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings!

Officer GordWelcome to the Crime Prevention Tip of the Month. First, a little about me. I'm a working Police Officer in my thirtieth year with a major North American Police Service. I've been involved in Crime Prevention for 9 years and specialize in CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). In fact, I instruct other officers in this at the Police College. In my position as Crime Prevention Officer, I consult with homeowners, businesses and developers in their attempt to design out crime.

I am delighted to contribute to the Mr. Goodbar® website. I firmly believe that physical security is the best kind of security because it leaves no question in the mind of the criminal as to the premise's level of protection. In my opinion, the use of window bars is the next best visual deterrent to having a Police Officer standing on your lawn.

Spring Security Sweep
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For most of us, the return of barbecue weather gets us thinking about working in the garden, lazing in the sun and maybe doing a little spring cleaning. Home security tends to end up on the backburner, just when it should be foremost in your mind.

The advent of warm weather naturally leads to our homes being more vulnerable to intrusion for many reasons. Following these Spring Security Suggestions will help keep your home secure while you're out enjoying spring.

  • Trim your trees as part of your spring clean up. Branches can provide a means to get to your second floor windows and overgrown bushes provide cover. Clean it up.
  • Put your ladders and tools away. An alert criminal won't hesitate to use them to get into your property. Worse, you could be providing him with a weapon to use against you!
  • Close and lock your windows when you're leaving the house. We all enjoy a fresh breeze wafting through the house, but an open window is an open invitation to criminals, especially when you're not home. Closing windows may seem like a pain if you're just running to the corner store, but you wouldn't believe how many times we hear "I was only gone for a minute!".
  • Protect open windows all the time. Invest in locks or bars that allow you to leave the windows open without worrying. If you like to leave the patio door open for fresh air or so the cat can come and go, make sure you've got a patio door bar that will prevent the door from being opened further.
  • Keep the garage secured. This is the time of year when you'll be in and out of the garage. You may be tempted to leave the door open while you get the lawnmower tuned up or dig up a bit of the flowerbed. Be warned. People get busy and forget all about that open door while they disappear around the back to work and come back to find themselves cleaned out!
  • Lock the front door if you're going out back. And vice versa. (Check out the Great Idea from MR. GOODBAR® in the next article.)
  • Inventory. An inventory list of everything kept in the garage and shed may help you reclaim the property if it's stolen. At the very least, it will make it easier to file an insurance claim.
  • Identify. Identifying your property, whether by engraving or some other means, may make thieves think twice about taking it. Be sure to clearly tell potential thieves that your property is marked.
  • Beware of scams. Strangers knocking on your door offering to do yard work or repairs may be casing the place. Turn them away and hire a reputable company. And never, ever, pay for work that hasn't been completed.
  • Lock up what isn't nailed down. You'd be surprised what people will help themselves to when it comes to your property. Remind kids to lock up their bikes and other expensive toys, either in a secure garage or shed, or with a chain lock.
  • Give the family a refresher course on important safety issues. Now that they'll be spending more time outside, kids need to be reminded about the things that will keep them safe. Spend a family barbecue talking about what to do if a stranger approaches, how to safely cross the street (no running between parked cars!), and the importance of checking in to let you know where they are.

Another Great Idea from MR. GOODBAR®
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You've spent an evening working on your front lawn and it's looking great. You go in the house for a well-deserved cold drink, only to find you've been robbed! How did it happen when you locked the back door?

Many back doors have large windows. A thief only has to break the glass, reach in, and turn your lock, letting himself into the house. Lawnmowers, chain saws and electric hedge clippers provide lots of covering noise at this time of year, making it much safer for someone to risk breaking your door's window.

The MR. GOODBAR® Door Security Grille protects the window in your door so that no one can gain access to your lock, and your belongings. It's fast and easy to install, and doesn't take away from the appearance of your home.

Click here to see our Door Security Grilles.

Protect Your Friends and Family
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you find the Monthly Crime Prevention Tips useful, pass them on so your friends and family can benefit from the information too. Send This Page To a Friend!

See back issues of the Monthly Security Tips!