Safeguards at Home
Home Safety Checklist
- Is your house number clearly displayed so emergency vehicles can find your house quickly? Yes No
- For Rural Community Residents, do you know your legal land address, as emergency personnel cannot respond to box numbers? Yes No
- Are your premises secure at all times (including garages and vehicles)? Yes No
- Is the main door from the garage to your home is always locked? Yes No
- Did you change the door locks when you move into your new residence? Yes No
- Did you install a one inch dead bolt? (Do not rely on door chains) Yes No
- Have you installed and use a peephole in the front door? (Never open the front door to a stranger.) Yes No
- Are your sliding windows and doors secure? Yes No
- Have you considered or looked into installing an intrusion alarm. Yes No
- Are your patio doors locked with a second looking device where possible? Yes No
- Are your outside entryways and driveway well-lit? Yes No
- Do you use motion sensor lights? Yes No
- Do you keep shrubbery from concealing doors and windows? This prevents hiding places. Yes No
- Have you recorded serial numbers of valuable items and keep the list in a secure place? Yes No
- Do you have a home inventory list that is always up to date? This inventory can include photos or videos of your home and property. Yes No
- Do you avoid leaving notes on doors or mailboxes advising that you are not home? Yes No
- Do you leave spare keys with a trusted neighbor or family member instead of hiding keys outside your residence? Yes No
- Do you periodically change the security code on your electronic keypads? Yes No
- Do you keep your doors locked when you are inside? (If you are in your backyard it is good practice to keep your front door locked.) Yes No
- If your keys are lost, have you changed your locks? Yes No
- Are your ladders or tool boxes should be secured? These can be used as break and enter tools. Yes No
- Do you keep your drapes closed at night? Yes No
- Do you keep the lights on in some rooms? Yes No
- Are your grills, lawnmowers, BBQ’s and other valuables stored in a locked garage or shed? If left out, are they hidden from view with a tarp and securely locked to a stationary point? Yes No
- Are your garage doors, fence gates and garden shed locked when not in use? Yes No
- By law, all firearms must be stored in a locked gun safe with any ammunition stored separately from the safe. Are yours locked away? Yes No
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.).
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.
PO Box 4520, Edmonton, AB T6E 4T7