Neighborhood Watch Home and Personal Safety Tips

Home associations and neighborhood watch organizations can go a long way toward improving the overall safety where you live. When residents partner with law enforcement with a common safety goal, great things can be achieved. Think about it, how many homes do you have in your neighborhood? Now imagine each one of those homeowners looking out for each other.

Start by posting signs throughout displaying something like "Neighborhood Watch Program In Effect" or "Home Owners Preventing Crime". Pool money and resources to obtain surveillance cameras which can be used to monitor and record all entrances. Schedule groups of citizen patrols to walk or bike through your neighborhood. Meet regularly with local police to review crime trends and prevention strategies.

Here are some great neighborhood safety tips:

• Get to know your neighbors.
• Keep your eyes open for suspicious activity or individuals.
• Sounds simple, but many folks forget to lock their doors and windows. Two locking devices per door/window are recommended.
• Learn to use a non-lethal self defense weapon such as pepper spray. Place a unit of pepper spray inside the home, in the car, and another to keep on your person.
• Check the lighting around your home to make sure it is working. Repair any broken lights and contact your power company for street lights that are inoperable.
• Burglars will take advantage of an open door, window or sliding door. Do not leave valuables visible from your windows so that those passing by can easily see them.
• Consider adding motion alarms and audible glass break alarms to your windows or doors.
• Do not open your door for anyone that you do not know.

Common Areas:

• Always be aware of your surroundings when getting the mail, putting out the trash, walking the dog, etc.
• If it doesn't feel right, chances are it isn't. Avoid people or situations that make you feel uncomfortable.
• Get a great description, and then report any safety concerns to law enforcement.

Here is one of the best and most practical safety tips I've heard in a long time. It was provided by Lochn'ora Homeowners Association.

"Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there..... "