Dublin Police Department
1122 Main St / PO Box 283
Dublin, New Hamsphire 03444
Phone: (603)-563-8411 Fax (603)-563-5401
A Guide to Residential Burglary Prevention
It is probably impossible to make your home completely burglary proof. However, our experience has shown that there are several preventive measures that homeowners can take to make it more difficult for burglars to enter your home; you can discourage them before they even attempt to force their way in.
Please read the following information carefully, and you will find many ways to assist you in this prevention effort.
I have also included a link to the National Crime Prevention Coalition which should prove useful in becoming more educated in the area of crime prevention.
James W. Letourneau
Chief of Police
Dublin Police Department
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BURGLARY PREVENTION CHECKLIST FOR HOMES
This checklist is designed to help you make a security check of your own home. The purpose of a home security inspection is to identify features in your home or daily routines of your family which might make your home an easy target for a burglar. The security inspection should begin at your front door, include an inspection of all your doors and windows, locks, lights and landscaping.
DOORS:
Are all outside doors in the house of metal or solid wood construction? Yes___No___
Are all door frames strong enough and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading? Yes___No___
Are door hinges protected from removal from outside? Yes___No___
Are there windows in any door or within 40 inches of the locks? Yes___No___
Are all door locks adequate and in good repair? Yes___No___
Are strikes and strike plates adequate and property installed? Yes___No___
Can the locking mechanism be reached through a mail slot, delivery port or a pet entrance at doorway? Yes___No___
Is there a screen or storm door with an adequate lock: Yes___No___
Are all entrances lighted with at least a 40 watt light? Yes___No___
Can front entrance be observed from street or public areas? Yes___No___
Does porch or landscaping offer concealment from view from street or public areas? Yes___No___
If there is a sliding glass door, is the sliding panel secured from being lifted out of the track? Yes___No___
Is "charley-bar" or key operated auxiliary lock used on sliding glass door? Yes___No___
ENTRANCES FROM GARAGE AND BASEMENT
Are all entrances to living quarters from basement of metal or solid wood? Yes___No___
Does door from garage to living quarters have locks adequate for exterior entrance? Yes___No___
WINDOWS
Do all windows have adequate locks in operating condition? Yes___No___
Do windows have screens or storm windows that lock from inside? Yes___No___
Do any windows open onto areas that may be hazardous or offer special risk to burglary? Yes___No___
Do windows that open to hazardous areas have security screens or grills? Yes___No___
Are exterior areas to windows free from concealing structure or land- scaping? Yes___No___
Is exterior adequately lighted at all window areas? Yes___No___
Are trees and shrubbery kept trimmed back from upper floor windows? Yes___No___
Are ladders kept outside the house where they are accessible? Yes___No___
BASEMENT DOORS AND WINDOWS
Is there a door from outside to the basement? Yes___No___
If so that door adequately security for an exterior door? Yes___No___
Is outside basement entrance lighted by exterior light of at least 40 watts? Yes___No___
Is outside basement door concealed from street or neighbors? Yes___No___
Are all basement windows adequately secured against entry? Yes___No___
GARAGE DOORS AND WINDOWS
Is automobile entrance door to garage equipped with adequate locking device? Yes___No___
Is garage door kept closed and locked at all times? Yes___No___
Are garage windows secured adequately for ground floor windows? Yes___No___
Is outside utility entrance to garage as secure as required for any ground floor entrance? Yes___No___
Are tools and ladders kept in garage? Yes___No___
Are all garage doors lighted on the outside by at least a 40 watt light? Yes___No___
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HOW TO KEEP BURGLARS OUT--POINTS TO REMEMBER
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1. Garages--Should be as secure as any other area of the house because:
· A. They often contain ladders and tools which could be helpful to a burglar.
· B. Attached garages provide visual cover for a burglary.
2. House Number--Should be clearly displayed front and back.
3. Lights--Exterior flood lights (front and back) and over garage are recommended. Interior-timed lighting devices should be utilized when not at home.
4. Basement Windows--Often overlooked by homeowners, basement windows should be secured to prevent forcing. Window locks should not be vulnerable if the glass is broken. Screening materials can be used effectively on these window wells or on window framing.
5. Doors--Solid core wood doors with rugged frames that cannot spread apart with a pry bar are recommended.
6. Door Locks--Quality dead bolt locks having a minimum 1-inch throw are recommended. These should be mounted so one cannot open the door after breaking a window. Mounting the lock low on the door can some- times eliminate this problem. In other cases, a double cylinder lock will solve the problem.
7. Shrubs--Should be kept low enough so as not to block possible points of entry or to conceal a potential attacker.
8. Windows--Glass is most vulnerable to attack. Fortunately, many burglars are reluctant to break windows because of noise and because windows are often visible from the street or from neighboring dwellings. Windows hidden from view must be most securely protected!
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Each question on the checklist to which you have answered no indicates a security weakness which is a concern to us as we seek to protect you and your property. If you would like professional advice and/or assistance in making your property more secure, please feel free to contact the Dublin Police Department at 563-8411; we will be most happy to come to your home and do a security survey with and for you.
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