Safety at Your Front Door
Your Front Door
- Never automatically open your front door. Make sure you know your caller's identity before admitting him.
- If the person at your door is a stranger, ask for identification to be passed under the door. If he is unable to do this, do not admit him.
- It is advisable to have a wide angle viewer (peep-hole) in the door so that you can check a person's identity without unlocking your door.
Home Safety
- All doors in your home leading to the outside should have dead-bolt locks.
- When away at night, leave a light burning.
- Do not leave a key over a door or under a mat.
- The single lock on a garage door is inadequate to keep intruders from prying up the opposite side and crawling in. Use a padlock. But never leave it unlocked. This is an invitation to have the padlock removed so that a key can be made, and the lock returned to its position. Later, the burglar returns when no one is home and enters at his leisure, using "his" key.
- Mark your valuables and keep an accurate record of all your most valuable possessions.
- Be a concerned neighbor. If you see a suspicious person, car or situation, contact the police.
Safety for the Apartment Dweller
- If you live in an apartment building with an intercom system to the front door, make sure the landlord keeps it in operating order.
- Never admit anyone unless you are expecting him or know him.
- Never admit anyone to the building who is there to see another tenant or to deliver something to another apartment.
- Anyone asking admission so that he can do some work for another tenant should not be admitted, but should be referred to the building's manager.
- If you see someone in your building who looks out of place or is acting suspiciously, contact the police.
Elevator Safety
- Observe elevator interior before entering. Wait until the next elevator if you are uncertain of any occupant.
- Females riding the elevator alone should always stand near the control panel. If accosted, press ALL buttons.
- If a suspicious person enters the elevator, exit before the door closes.
- Before exiting from the elevator, observe the corridor for suspicious activity.
When Planning Vacations or Prolonged Absences
- Discontinue milk, newspaper, and other deliveries by phone or in person ahead of time. Do not leave notes.
- Arrange for lawn care and have someone remove advertising circulars and other debris regularly. On the other hand, several toys scattered about will create an impression of occupancy.
- Notify the post office to forward your mail or have a trustworthy person pick it up daily. Apartment house tenants should also heed this hint since stuffed mail receptacles are a give-away when no one is home.
- Inform neighbors of your absence so they can be extra alert for suspicious persons. Leave a key with them so your place may be periodically inspected. Ask them to vary the positions of your shades and blinds.
- When you leave, do not publicize your plans. Some burglars specialize in reading newspaper accounts of other people's vacation activities.
- If you find a door or window has been forced or broken while you were away, Do not enter. The criminal may still be inside. Use a neighbor's phone immediately to summon police.
- Do not touch anything or clean up if a crime has occurred.
- Preserve the scene until police inspect for evidence.
Always Remember To
- Lock before you leave.
- Trust a neighbor with a key.
- Be a concerned neighbor - yourself.