Burglary Prevention Tips

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The Radnor Police Department offers the following tips to remove burglary opportunities at your residence.

When leaving your home for short or extended periods of time The Radnor Police Department strongly suggests that you register your residence under the police department's Vacant House Watch. When vacated a Radnor Police Officer will conduct a exterior security check of your residence on a daily basis. You may register your home online or you may call the police department's administration line at 610-688-0503 and register by phone.

Homeowners should practice prevention thereby reducing your risk of becoming a victim of a residential burglary. A resident should consider taking the following steps to promote security and safety in the home:

Doors

  • Use a solid core or metal door for all entrance points
  • Use a quality, heavy-duty, deadbolt lock with a 1 inch throw bolt
  • Use a quality, heavy-duty, knob-in-lock set with a dead-latch mechanism
  • Use a heavy-duty, 4 screw, strike plate with 3 inch screws to penetrate into a wooden door frame
  • Use a wide-angle 160° peephole mounted no higher than 58 inches

Windows

  • Secure all accessible windows with secondary blocking devices
  • Block accessible windows open no more than 6 inches for ventilation
  • Make sure someone cannot reach through an open window and unlock the door
  • Make sure someone cannot reach inside the window and remove the blocking device
  • Use anti-lift devices to prevent window from being lifted out

Lighting

  • Use interior light timers to establish a pattern of occupancy
  • Exterior lighting should allow 100- feet of visibility
  • Use good lighting along the pathway and at your door
  • Use light timers or photo-cells to turn on/off lights automatically
  • Use infra-red motion sensor lights on the rear of single family homes

Alarm Systems

  • Alarm systems are effective deterrents with visible signage
  • Alarm systems to be properly installed, programmed, and maintained
  • Alarm systems need to have an audible horn or bell to be effective
  • Make sure your alarm response call list is up to date
  • Instruct your neighbor how to respond to an alarm bell