Public Safety
Crime Prevention
Home Burglary Prevention
- Always keep all doors, windows, and garages locked whether you are home or not.
- Check screens on windows and doors for cuts, openings, slits, and holes. Ensure that the screen is secure and without damage.
- Install internal motion detectors in the bedrooms of young children with sounding alarms in parents' bedroom.
- Install solid doors, complete with heavy duty locks and heavy duty strike plates, in the door frame.
- Install interior light timers and exterior motion sensor lights to give the appearance of occupancy even when you are not home.
- Keep your landscape, including all bushes and trees, trimmed to avoid potential hiding places for invaders.
- Keep blocking devices, such as metal bars or track blockers on all sliding glass doors.
- Use crime prevention or alarm system decals on windows that are easily accessible.
- Invest in automatic dial telephones that can dial 911 on speaker phone to reach police quickly.
- Ask your local police department about "Neighborhood Watch" programs, which aid in keeping your streets safe from potential invaders.
- Never leave dry-cleaning or other deliveries sitting in front of your home for an extended period of time.
- When you are away for a length of time, have a neighbor collect your mail and newspaper to avoid the appearance of vacancy.
- Call a family meeting to discuss home safety and security and alert your neighbors if you see suspicious activity.
- Never open the door for a stranger, and always ask for a proof of identification if they claim to be a delivery person, repair man, etc., before opening the door.
- Photocopy all important documents and keep the copies in a safe deposit box.
- Always remember to stay aware of your surroundings.
These prevention tips, along with individual awareness and awareness for your fellow neighbors, will help to decrease the risk of home invasions. As citizens of Morris County, you can help keep yourself, your family, and your neighborhood safe.