House Security

1. House Security McMaster University Security Services Sgt Cathy O’Donnell

2. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been away for a few hours, for the day, for the weekend or for an extended holiday. It takes burglars only a few minutes to smash their way into your home, take what they want and get on their way again.

3. The first step to protecting your home isdeterrence -- protecting your home by discouraging intruders from making you their next target. Burglars don’t want to risk being caught, so they are less likely to victimize a house that looks occupied or protected.

4. Stats • In Canada a burglary happens about once every three minutes • In Hamilton the following burglaries occurred in Westdale: • 2000 - 87 houses • 2001 - 113 houses • 2002 - 81 houses • 2003 - 98 Houses

5. What are criminals looking for: • A house that is obviously unoccupied • A house that is an easy target • A house that he can easily enter

6. What makes a student house a target? • Well advertised and regular vacation times i.e.: Christmas and Spring Breaks • Usually more than one computer • Usually current electronic equipment • Regularly leave houses unlocked

7. Home Security Check List • Are all windows and doors locked? • Are all door hinges on the inside of exterior doors? • Has the landlord installed deadbolt locks? • Are sliding glass doors adequately secured? • Are garage doors secured and kept locked? • Are locks easily accessible by breaking a window?

8. Is exterior lighting installed and operational? • Is there a wide-angle peep hole in all exterior doors? • Are your blinds angled to show lights, but not all of your stuff? • Are timed lights inside and out operational? • Are items marked with Operation Identification?

9. Security Check ListSpecific to Student Houses • Have you backed up your data on your computer? • Don’t advertise that you are a student house • Take all valuables home with you, if possible

10. Operation IdentificationOperation Identification is a program designed to discourage theft of valuables • Proper identification of your property • Helps police identify and return property to the rightful owners • This works whether your property is stolen or lost • Discourages theft • Marked property is difficult to dispose of and can easily be traced • Operation Identification has dramatically reduced profit derived from stolen goods

11. What should you do?With respect to Operation Identification • Use an electric engraver to mark any valuable property with a number that is traceable to you (like a drivers license) • You should mark the item in two spots: one visible and one hidden • Record the make, model and serial number of your property and keep this in a safe place

12. Personal computers Laptops Cameras CD players Stereos Televisions X Boxes or Play Stations Printers, Scanners Radios DVD , VCR’s PDA’s Cell Phones Items that should be marked?

13. Holiday Check List • Inform a trusted neighbour of your travel plans • Cancel deliveries or ensure they will be picked up daily • If practical remove valuables from your home • Use clock timers to activate lights, radios and television at various times • Have someone check your house • Get content insurance • Arrange to have snow shoveled • Lock all exterior doors and windows

14. After a Robbery • Don’t go inside • Call Police • Do not touch anything or clean anything up before the police arrive • Make a list of what is missing • Contact other members of the house to see what they are missing