Tel. 613.233.1115

Personal Safety Habits

It's so easy to enhance your home security by following a few simple routines. Check out the following tips, and make sure the whole family follows these simple steps.

Lock up!
Locking your home is such a simple action. It's remarkable how often we forget to do so. An alarming number of break-ins occur simply because a homeowner hasn't locked up. If a break-in occurs and you left your door unlocked, you could have a harder time with an insurance claim. Lock your door behind you whenever you enter and exit the house.

If everyone is inside, and you don't have plans to go out again, lock the door when you’re home too—it’s a good habit to have. Many families simply forget to lock up while they're in their own backyard, or when they go to bed. Every Summer, the Ottawa Police issue warnings to the public about locking up. Even the garage door should be locked when you're not using it. Thieves are opportunists, so don't give them the opportunity!

It is also important that you not forget to lock your windows. If you have basement windows, you might consider putting bars in place for added security.

Garage security.
If you’re a homeowner and you have a garage or shed, you should keep them locked at all times, especially if they are connected to your house. If a burglar tries to infiltrate your home and is stopped by locked doors and windows, it’s possible they could find the necessary tools to get the job done in your shed or garage.

Keep up appearances.
When you head out, it's a good habit to leave one indoor and one outdoor light on. It's easy and simple to do, and it is an incredibly effective deterrent for thieves. Some people choose to leave a radio or television set on while they are out.

If you're leaving for longer than the workday or a night out, ask a neighbour to keep an eye on things for you. Have a friend or relative pick up your mail and newspaper, mow your lawn, shovel your driveway, and even adjust drapes and blinds in your home, or turn on a different light occasionally.

When it comes to your home's exterior, keep in mind that leaving valuables such as bicycles or tools in plain sight can be an invitation to thieves. Keeping your yard well-groomed gives the impression that you are home, and that you are a prudent homeowner. Consider whether your neighbours can see your home if there is a fence or hedge around your property. When exterior lights (motion detecting or not) are installed, be sure that they do not create shadows where burglars could hide at night.

Spare key?
Most families keep a spare key at their home in case anyone gets locked out. Where do you keep yours?
• Under the doormat
• In the bottom of a flowerpot
• Under a fake rock

If you chose any of the above options, you need to find a better spot. Those are the most common places people hide spare keys, and the first places an intruder will check. If possible, keep your spare key with a neighbor you can trust. If that’s not an option, get more creative to hide it. Put it somewhere no one will think of, like taped under your barbecue. If that seems too inconvenient, maybe you use your spare key too often! Your goal is to never let anyone see you use that key, and to only use it in emergencies.

Test your security system!
This seems simple, but is too often overlooked. People are busy and important details like this can slip your mind. Contact us to set up an appointment to test your system. It's recommended that you test your home security system every few months. At the very least, have it looked at annually. If you know how to successfully test your system yourself, contact the security monitoring station before setting off any alarms, or you could wind up responsible for false alarm fines.

Neighbours are allies.
Gone are the days of the neighbourhood welcome committee. Years ago, communities were usually more tight-knit than they are today. That shouldn't stop you from introducing yourself to your neighbours. Cultivating a friendly relationship (saying hello when you pick up your mail, lending a cup of sugar when needed) means that your neighbours know who you are, and will more likely keep an eye out for you. The better you know one another, the more likely you are to know when something isn't right. This puts you and your neighbours in a position to help each other out, and builds a foundation for a more secure community.

A few more things.
• Keep 911 and all other emergency numbers by the phone
• Keep neighbours' phone numbers handy, too
• Report suspicious activities in your neighbourhood to the police. Consider teaching your children to do the same when they are old enough.
• Never open the door to a stranger without having them show some identification, first.
• Make sure your children know to say that you are “busy,” and not that your are “away” when they answer the door or the phone to strangers.
• If someone comes to your door asking for help, would you call the police, or an ambulance, or a tow company for them before letting them in? Simply knowing that another party is on the way will deter a criminal. If someone insists you not call for assistance, there is probably something wrong.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.

246 Rochester St. • Ottawa, ON • K1R 7N1 • info@homeservicegroup.ca • 613.233.1115 • Fax 613. 237.1080

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