As part of our ongoing effort to keep our community safe, the Lower Moreland Police Department would like to remind residents of the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent burglaries.

Burglaries can occur at any time, and it's essential to take measures to protect your home and valuables. Here are some tips to help you prevent burglaries:

Call 911 for any suspicious activity!

• Use solid or metal exterior doors that are properly installed. Never use interior doors, which are not as strong as exterior doors.
• Anchor the strike plate to the framing of the house by using 3” long screws.
• Install weather stripping around your doors if the doors do not fit tightly.
• Equip every exterior door with a deadbolt lock (key-in-the-knob locks, by themselves, are insufficient), and engage both the knob and deadbolt locks every time you leave your home.
• Use a blocking device on all sliding windows and doors (a broomstick or dowel placed in the inside track is sufficient).
• Never hide a key outside of your home.  Leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor.
• Always leave a light on when you are not home.
• Consider purchasing an alarm system.
• Increase exterior lighting and use motion lights and/or timers.
• Pick up trash from your yard and alleyways and collect newspapers and mail daily. If you go on vacation, have a trusted neighbor or friend do this for you.
• Use “Beware of Dog” or “Alarm” decals to deter suspects from entering your home.
• Trim trees, bushes, and other landscaping to ensure windows and doors are not blocked and criminals cannot use them for concealment.
• Use safes to store valuables and ALWAYS keep a record of your serial numbers.
• Whenever you move into a new home or apartment, always change the locks.
• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors!
• Leave the lights on when you leave home. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
• Keep your garage door closed and locked.
• Suspend daily deliveries of mail, newspapers, or flyers while you are away. Arrange with the U.S. Post Office to hold your mail or arrange for a friend or neighbor to collect the mail regularly.
• Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
• Do not post your travel plans or real time vacation photos online. Real time posting alerts potential thieves that you are not home. Wait till you return to post those beautiful pictures!
• Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Glass break sensors are available on most security systems to alert situations when criminals don’t open a door but gain entry through the glass.
• Lawn mowers, weed eaters, barbecue grills, and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
• Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
• Use curtains on garage and basement windows.
• Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 911 immediately.

By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of a burglary occurring at your home. Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry!

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