Summer Safety Tips

As summer approaches, people take advantage of the sunny weather to do outdoor projects, take their families to fun locations such as amusement parks and beaches and try to find ways to relax and keep cool. It's the season when most people take time off of work, because their kids are on summer vacation. For criminals and predators, however, it is a very active time of year.

Summer Safety At Home

All summer long people are outdoors working on projects like lawn care, hosting barbecues or relaxing by a pool. It can be easy to forget to close a door or window, but if they are left open it creates an easy opportunity for a burglar. Garage doors, in particular, are regularly used by criminals to gain access to a home during the warmer months. People go outside to do yard work and forget to close the garage door. Criminals may steal items from the garage itself, which usually contains tools and other valuable belongings, or use it as an easy way to get into your home. Once inside, the law breaker can grab an armful of things quickly, and run off without ever being noticed.

Some criminals will work together during the summer months. One will come to your door and distract you, while the other sneaks into your garage, back yard or home to take whatever they can grab. Be wary of anyone who approaches your front door and don't let them take up too much of your time. Every year thousands of burglaries occur all over the United States. Teach your family how to guard themselves and their property and do what you can to ensure a safe and happy summer for everyone.

Protecting Your Car

Always lock your car doors. Be certain all windows are completely closed. When driving, keep all doors locked. It is best to park in attended lots. If you must leave a key with the attendant, leave only the ignition key. In all cases lock your car. At night, park only in well-lighted areas.

If you have a garage, the single lock on the door is inadequate to keep intruders from prying up the opposite side and crawling in. One of three methods may be used to secure the door: Add another bolt and padlock on the opposite side, or Install a pair of cane bolts to the inside - only operable from the inside, or add a top center hasp.

In every case, use a minimum standard exterior padlock. Don't hide a key outside. Most hiding places are obvious to the burglar. Never leave a padlock unlocked. This is an invitation to have the padlock removed so that a key can be made, and the lock returned to its position. Later, the burglar returns when no one is home and enters at his leisure, using "his" key.

Protecting Your Bicycle

You don't leave your car unlocked, so treat your bicycle the same way. Use an approved chain and padlock whenever you are not on the seat! Lock it to the garage. Whenever you lock your bike in a public place, chain it to a secure rack or stanchion through the frame and a wheel. Keep the chain as high above the ground as the bike will allow.