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Summer Home Security Safety Tips

The Glendale Police Department would like to provide home security tips as we enter into the summer months. The warm weather has a natural tendency of drawing residents away from their homes and opportunist burglars taking advantage of an empty house.

We encourage residents to be vigilant and report all suspicious activity to the Glendale Police Department immediately by calling 9-1-1.

- Always lock your home and be sure you have quality door locks and deadbolts. Lock windows on the first floor, as well as higher levels, even if there is an enclosed or screened-in porch.
- It only takes an opportunist burglar seconds to break in through an open door or window and make off with items such as keys, laptops, wallets, purses and mobile phones.
- If you have an air conditioner in your window, make sure it is secured and that it is not possible to move the window in order to gain entry.
- When leaving for vacation, home owners should maintain a “lived in” appearance at their home. Use timers to switch lights and radios on and off when you're not at home.
- It is important to let trusted neighbors know you will be away so they can keep an eye on your home. Also, make arrangements for your mail and newspapers to be picked up.
- Place a security bar, sometimes referred to as a “Charlie Bar,” between the patio sliding door and door jam. Don’t assume that the latch on the door is secure enough to ward off a thief.
- Flood lights that are triggered by motion are highly recommended.
- If you have recently moved into a new home, change all the locks and tumblers.
- For the most effective alarm system, conceal all wiring. A professional burglar looks for places where he or she can disconnect the security system.
- Before turning your house key over to a professional house cleaner for several hours, make sure the person is honest and reputable as well as hardworking. Check all references thoroughly.
- Trim trees and shrubbery near windows and doors. Consider your landscaping plan in light of your protection needs.
- Ask for credentials from any sales-person who requests entry to your home. Ask that their ID be pushed under the door. Many professional burglars use this cover to check out homes. If you're doubtful, check with the person's office before letting him or her in.
- If someone comes to your home asking to use your phone, do not let them enter and make the call yourself.
- Keep your garage door shut and locked at all times.
- Dogs are great deterrents and will often alert you when someone is on your property.

The Glendale Police Department offers vacation checks by trained volunteers Monday – Friday. The checks entail a visual check of the home, ensuring that all vehicles, gates and area surrounding the home are intact. There is no cost associated with requesting a vacation check and the requester need only to complete basic information relating to the home and duration of absence. Anyone interested in requesting this service can complete the form on line http://bit.ly/1rtGKw8 or contact the Glendale Police Department Staff Services at 818-548-4818 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.