Break & Enter Prevention Tips

There are actions you can take to help deter thieves from breaking into your home, vehicle, or business.

Lock all windows and doors – even when you are at home.
Keep valuables (purses, car keys, wallets) away from the front door. Do not leave your spare keys in an obvious spot.
Consider using a safe for valuables and important documents. Keep the safe in a well-hidden area.
Close your blinds to prevent people from looking inside your home.
Install motion-activated or timed lights (smart light bulbs).
Have secure, lockable basement windows.
Trim the shrubbery in front of your residence.
Post a contact list on fridge (name, renter/owner, phone number, email).
Create a nightly routinefor your household (for example, make sure the last person to bed checks that the windows, doors and vehicle(s) are locked).
Update your alarm company with your contact information.
Lock your gates.
Do not leave ladders out.
If you are outside doing yard work, make sure your doors and windows are closed and locked, and valuables are stored out of sight.
If you live in an apartment building, do not let anyone into the building that you don’t know. If you see anyone concerning in your vestibule, call police.
Alarm systems can provide a great deterrent; however, police need evidence of the offender to locate and charge them. Consider installing security and/or doorbell cameras.
Record serial numbers of electronic items and photograph all valuables. This aids police and you in identifying your property.
Get to know your neighbours so that they know if a person belongs at your property or not.

Vehicles

Lock all doors and close all windows, even if you are parked inside a garage.
When you leave your vehicle, take your garage door opener with you.
Do not keep any valuables in your vehicle.
Take your purse and wallet with you. Do not leave these in your vehicle at any time.
Do not keep cash or spare change in your vehicle.
Do not keep spare keys to vehicle or residence in your vehicle.
Do not keep your insurance, registration documents or driver’s licence in your vehicle.

Delivery Theft

Install a doorbell camera
Install a sensor that will alert you when someone is on your porch
Have packages shipped to your office
Require a signature for deliveries
Consider getting packages delivered to a box
Leave a note for your delivery to hide your packages out of site
Try to be home when packages are delivered
Gather your packages as soon as possible, or get a trusted neighbour to retrieve them for you
Report any suspicious people in your neighbourhood to the Police