Report Suspicous Activity

Call to report suspicious activity in Alberta:
1-833-547-RAVE

Home Safety

Home Safety Checklist

Your home is full of items that keep your family comfortable and entertained, and also hold fond memories. However, to a criminal, your home is full of a wealth of items which can fund other criminal activities.  

According to RCMP, in 2023, there were 8,784 reported cases of break and enters in Alberta.

The best way to keep your home safe is to make it less appealing to thieves. The more trouble you can create for them, the less likely they will be to target your home. There is information and tips on how to prevent a break in and how to handle the situation if someone does forcibly enter your home.
 

As well, you can download your own property safety checklist so you can start implementing these safety steps in your home.

Safety Checklist

Break and Enter Prevention Tips

Tips

  • Be extremely cautious of anyone you let into your home.
  • Do not be fooled by a well-dressed person.
  • Verify identification of sales and service people. Check with their company via telephone call to see if they have sent a representative out. Note: This is applicable to police officers as well. Police officers always have credentials that can be verified by calling your local detachment.
  • Keep an eye out for your neighbors. Don’t volunteer information about them to strangers.
  • Report suspicious people and/or vehicles to police in a timely manner.
  • If you have recently purchased a major household item (Television, computer, etc.…) do not leave the empty box outside in plain sight. Take it to a recycling depot immediately or keep it out of sight until your scheduled recycling pickup day.
  • Dogs are great deterrents
  • When a stranger asks to use your phone, do not let him/her in your house. Offer to call for assistance on their behalf.
TELEPHONES
  • Never reveal your name or address to a stranger.
  • Never tell a stranger that you are alone.
  • Don’t be afraid to hang up the phone.
  • Report indecent, harassing, and/or scam phone calls to your local police detachment. (For unwanted calls from telemarketers, call 1-888-382-1222 to register your phone number with the Federal Government on the Do Not Call list).
 
CREATE THE ILLUSION OF OCCUPANCY

If you are away from your residence:

  • Leave your home in the care of someone you trust and let them know where you can be reached in case of an emergency
  • Arrange to have newspapers, flyers, and mail picked up
  • Arrange to have the grass cut, leaves raked, or snow removed as necessary.
  • Have someone check both the inside and outside of your home periodically while you’re away.
  • Use timers on interior lights and motion sensor lights for the exterior
  • Have a neighbor park their car in your driveway or your designated parking stall.
  • If you have a garage, keep the door closed and locked so no one can see if your vehicle is gone.
  • Turn the ringer on your phone off or set your answering machine or voicemail to pick up on the second ring. Do not leave specific information about your absence on your message.
  • Do not share you vacation plans on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).

How to Act If Your Home is Broken In To

IF YOUR HOME HAS BEEN BROKEN INTO

If you return home and discover your home has been broken into:

  • DO NOT ENTER, call the police immediately.
  • Wait at a safe place (i.e.: a neighbors) for the police to arrive.
  • If you have entered your residence, do not touch anything or clean up until the police have arrived as you may disturb evidence.
  • You can start making a preliminary list of items you notice missing.
IF YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE IS OUTSIDE YOUR HOME
  • Call the police immediately and stay on the phone with the dispatcher until the police arrive.
  • Remain inside.
  • Turn on the lights.
IF A PERSON GAINS ENTRY TO YOUR HOME
  • Call the police and keep the line open to the dispatcher if you are not able to speak.
  • Do not engage that person.
  • Try to leave through another door.
IF A PERSON TRAPS YOU INSIDE
  • Comply with their demands
  • If you are physically attacked, use whatever means you can use to fend off the attacker.