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Grinnell Police Department
Home Security Checklist
Use this as a Guide as
you check your home for safety measures. Boxes
marked “no” indicate areas where you could take action to improve your homes
security. These are just some of the steps you
can take to decrease the likelihood that you or your home is targeted.
Exterior Doors
1.
All doors are locked at night and every time we
leave the house – even if it’s just for a few minutes. YES NO
2.
Doors
are solid hardwood or metal clad. YES NO
3.
Doors
feature wide-angle peepholes at heights everyone can use.
YES NO
4.
If
there are glass panels in or near our doors, they are reinforced in some way so that they
cannot be shattered. YES NO
5.
All
entryways have a working keyed entry lock and sturdy deadbolt YES NO
Garage and Sliding
Door Security
1.
The Door leading from the attached garage to the
house is solid wood or metal-clad and protected with a quality keyed door lock and
deadbolt. YES NO
2.
The
overhead garage door has a lock so that we do not need to rely solely on the automatic
door opener to provide security. YES NO
3.
Garage
doors are all locked when leaving the house. YES NO
4.
The
sliding glass door has a strong, working key lock. YES NO
5.
A dowel
or a pin to secure a glass door has been installed to prevent the door from being shoved
aside or lifted off the track. YES NO
6.
The
sliding door is locked every night and each time we leave the house. YES NO
Protecting Windows
1.
Every window in the house has a working key or is
securely pinned. YES NO
2.
Windows
are always locked, even when they are open a few inches for ventilation. YES NO
Outdoor
Security
1.
Shrubs and bushes are trimmed so there is no place
for someone to hide.
YES NO
2.
There
are no dark areas around our house, garage, or yard at night that would hide prowlers. YES NO
3.
Every
outside door has a bright, working light to illuminate visitors. YES NO
4.
Floodlights
are used appropriately to ensure effective illumination.
YES NO
5.
Outdoor
lights are on in the evening-whether someone is home or not or a photocell or
motion-sensitive lighting system has been installed. YES NO
6.
Our
house number is clearly displayed so police and other emergency vehicles can find the
house quickly. YES NO
Security When Away
From the Home
1.
At least two light timers have been set to turn the
lights on and off in a logical sequence, when we are away from home for an extended period
of time. YES NO
2.
The
motion detector or other alarm system (if we have on) has been activated when we leave
home. YES NO
3.
Mail
and newspaper deliveries have been stopped or arrangements for neighbors or friends to
pick them up have been made when we go away from home for a period of time. YES NO
4.
A
neighbor has been asked to tend to the yard and watch our home when we are away. YES NO
Outdoor Valuables
and Personal Property
1.
Gate latches, garage doors, and shed doors are all
locked with high security laminated padlocks. YES NO
2.
Gate
latches, garage doors, and shed doors are locked after every use. YES NO
3.
Grills,
lawn mowers, and other valuables are stored in a locked garage or shed, or left out in the
open, are hidden from view with a tarp and securely locked to a stationary point. YES NO
4.
Every
bicycle is secured with a U-bar or quality padlock and chain. YES NO
5.
Bikes
are always locked, even if we leave them for just a minute.
YES NO
6.
Firearms
are stored unloaded and locked in storage boxes and secured with a trigger guard lock. YES NO
7.
Valuable
items, such as television, stereos, and computers have been inscribed with identifying
numbers approved by local police. YES NO
8.
Our
home inventory is up to date and includes pictures. A complete copy is kept somewhere out
of the house. YES NO
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