Crime Prevention Tip of the Month
Secrets to Securing Your Windows

October 2004
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Dear Reader,

Welcome to the Crime Prevention Tip of the Month. I am a working Police Officer with 30 years experience with a major North American Police Service. My involvement in Crime Prevention has spanned 9 years, and my specialty lies with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). In my position, I consult with homeowners, businesses and developers in their attempt to "design out" crime.

I am a strong believer in the use of visual and physical deterrents to raise the level of a premise's protection.

Thanks Office Gord!
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It was a lucky day when one of the MR. GOODBAR® representatives ran into Officer Gord at a Home Depot in Canada. Without us even knowing, Officer Gord had been promoting our products for years! Since that day, he has generously volunteered his time to speak on television about our products and put in who knows how many unpaid hours on our monthly newsletter.

Thank you so much Officer Gord! Your support has been amazing and your dedication to helping people protect themselves inspiring!

3 Easy Ways to Secure Your Windows
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As a Crime Prevention Officer, it's part of my job to know what works and doesn't work in home security. Here's what I recommend for vulnerable windows.

1. Use common sense! I can't stress this enough. So many home burglaries occur because thieves see a slightly open window, give it a push, and crawl right in. Please! Close and lock your windows when you're leaving the house. Even if it's only for "a few minutes".
2. Replace your glass with polycarbonate. Lexan is one brand you could try. The advantages of polycarbonate are that it is actually a better insulator than glass and it gives you an unobstructed view. It looks just like glass and will not crack or break.
   There are disadvantages too. Polycarbonate doesn't provide visual deterrence (and we all know how important that is in protecting ourselves) and it will scratch. Do not use plexiglass in place of polycarbonate. It yellows and becomes brittle over time.
3. Use security bars. In my opinion, this is the absolute best way to secure your windows. Security bars give you physical protection - actually keeping the bad guys out- and they are a visual deterrent, telling the prospective thief not to even bother.

Always install security bars on the inside of the window. Why? Police divide burglaries into 2 stages: the pre-alarm stage and the post-alarm stage. The "alarm" may be an electronic alarm or the sound of breaking glass. If bars are on the outside of your home, the burglar has unlimited time to work on removing them before tripping the alarm or breaking any glass.

And keep in mind the need to escape your home in case of fire. Security bars on the exterior of the premises have been responsible for trapping residents. You're much safer when you mount the bars inside your home and use a quick release device if the window is a secondary exit.

• Window Security Bars

Click here to view available Goodbar products

Can We Help?
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Questions about securing your home or business? Send us an email. We'll respond in the next edition of the newsletter.

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