North Brunswick Township - Home Security Tips

Home Security Tips

Between 1992 and 1996, burglaries in North Brunswick declined by more than 44 percent. Burglary reports are among the lowest in decades.

This encouraging trend is due, in large part, to the efforts of individuals to better secure their homes. Burglary is a crime of opportunity. Here are some helpful tips to reduce your chances of being victimized:

Doors, Windows, Locks and Keys

All doors that lead to the outside should be metal or solid-core, 1-3/4 inch hardwood. Most hollow doors can be easily broken through.
Each door should fit in its frame with no more than 1/8 inch clearance between the door and frame. A metal lining on the inside of an exterior door can prevent drilling, sawing, or kicking through.
Make sure all doors to the outside have good locks -- deadbolt locks with a minimum 1-1/2 inch bolt. Make sure locks are also installed on screen and storm doors, garage doors, cellar doors, patio doors, and any other door that leads to the outside (including second-floor patios or decks).
Always use the locks you have, on both your home and your garage. Lock up every time you go out, even if it's only for a few minutes. Almost 50 percent of burglars enter homes or property through unlocked doors or windows.
Locks on doors should be placed at least 40 inches away from windows, glass panels, and other potential openings such as mail slots. Make it hard for a burglar to reach in and unlock your door. Or install double cylinder, deadbolt locks that need to be opened with a key from the inside as well as the outside.
Door hinges should always be on the inside and designed so that hinge pin cannot be removed from the outside.
Never hide keys outside, such as under a bush or in a flower pot. Burglars know where to find "secret" hiding places. It's much better to leave a key with a trusted neighbor.
Don't place identification tags on your keys or key rings; if you lose them, you give potential burglars help.
Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or put a wooden dowel or broom handle in the door track. Burglars look for sliding glass doors because they are the easiest to open.
Secure roof openings and exhaust systems.
Make sure windows, especially those at ground level, have good locks-and always use the locks you have.
The center thumb-turn locks on many standard windows can be easily pried open or reached through a broken pane. For especially vulnerable windows, install key locks or consider installing grates or grilles (but make sure the devices can be easily detached to allow quick escape during a fire or other emergency).

Shrubbery and Lighting

Make sure all porches and other possible entrances are well lit, with at least 40-watt bulbs. A well-lit house is far better protected than a house without lights.
Overgrown bushes, tree limbs, or landscaping can provide cover for burglars. Trim them to the height of porches or windows.

Other Tips

Always lock up ladders and tools. Don't give a burglar the resources to break into your home.
Window air conditioning units should be bolted to the wall to prevent them from being easily removed from the outside.
If you have recently purchased a television, stereo equipment, or other household item, do not throw the empty boxes in the garbage. This is a sure sign and strong temptation for burglars. Rather cut them up and bundle for recycling with labeling not visable.
Turn the ringer on the telephone down low. If a burglar is around, he won't be alerted to your absence by a ringing phone.
If you are out during the day or on vacation, use an automatic timer to turn on lights and a radio at different times of the day. It is an easy way to disguise the fact they you aren't home.
Have a trusted neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers every day while you are on vacation. Have a neighbor use your garbage cans occasionally. During the winter, arrange to have snow shoveled.

Car Crime Prevention

The number of reported thefts from auto and thefts of auto in the TOWNSHIP OF NORTH BRUNSWICK have increased over the past three years. Most people take preventive measures after they have been victimized. Thus, we encourage you to take the measures in order to avoid becoming a victim. Following some of the common-sense measures listed below may have prevented many of these incidents that occured.

Always try to park in well-lit, heavily traveled areas, as close to your destination as possible.
When you park, always roll the windows up tight, lock all doors, and take the keys with you.
Never leave your car with the motor running, even if only for a minute to run into a store or your home.
Do not leave valuable items in the vehicle, even in the glove compartment or under the seat. Car thieves routinely check these location especially for cellular phones, cameras, license/insurance information, and other items.
If you have a garage, use it; lock both your car and the garage.
Keep your vehicle title at home, not in the glove compartment of your car. This will prevent a thief from using the title to "prove" ownership.
Consider etching your VIN into all car windows, T-tops, and other expensive, removable parts. This will help the police identify stolen auto parts.
Install and activate anti-theft device or devices and always use them.
If you see someone tampering with your vehicle, use discretion about approaching the person. He or she may be armed. Instead, call 9-1-1 and inform the dispatcher that you are reporting an auto theft "in progress."
Carry your license, insurance card and registration in your wallet. Thieves use these documents to impersonate you! If you don't want to carry this information, copy them and hide them in the vehicle.
If your vehicle is broken into or stolen, inform the police of the loss immediately. Stolen vehicles frequently are used in the commission of other crimes.

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