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Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

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December 11, 2017
crimeHoliday Crime Prevention Tips from the Burlingame Police Department
 
With the holiday season quickly approaching, the Burlingame Police Department would like to remind citizens that you can reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a burglary or other crimes by following some simple crime prevention tips.
 
Take the following steps to avoid residential burglaries (which primarily take place during the day when homeowners are at work):
 
  • Call 911 to report any suspicious activity or subjects. Most burglars are caught because of alert neighbors calling the police when they see suspicious activity.
  • Keep your homes locked
  • Install an effective alarm system, if possible, and always use it
  • Ensure exterior home doors have a solid core or are metal
  • Use quality, heavy duty, dead bolt locks, knob-in lock sets, and strike plates
  • Use wide angel peepholes with exterior doors
  • Use secondary blocking devices on all sliding glass doors and windows
  • Block accessible windows or sliding doors and open no more than 6 inches for ventilation
  • Use highly visible alarm signs, "beware of dog" signs, or neighborhood watch signs on windows, doors, and gates
  • Use home safes, record the serial numbers of your valuables, and mark valuables with your drivers license number, when possible
  • Get to know your neighbors and be aware of suspicious activity or subjects in your neighborhood
 
Take the following steps to avoid car burglaries:
  • Call 911 to report any suspicious activity or subjects
  • Do not leave valuables in your car if at all possible (holiday packages, shopping bags, GPS devices, lap tops, tablets, cell phones, wallets, purses, briefcases, backpacks, luggage, loose change, etc.)
  • If you must leave valuables in your car, do not leave them in plain view
  • Move valuables to the trunk prior to reaching your destinations. Do not move them while in plain view of others
  • Do not leave windows/sunroof open or doors unlocked
  • Do not leave keys in your vehicle
  • Do not leave garage door openers in plain view
  • Do not leave items with personal information
  • Slow down and use common sense before you leave your car
  • Be aware of your surroundings while shopping, walking or dining out
  • Do not leave your wallet or purse unattended in a shopping cart or on the back of your chair while dining out (even for just a few seconds)