Tips to foil felons, vandals

Keep the outside of your home neat and looking lived in. Shrubs should be cut back, grass mowed and the yard tidied of unnecessary clutter. This is especially important if the home is empty for long periods of time. Some vandals and criminals are just looking for abandoned places to look through.

The best and cheapest form of home security is good lighting. Outside lights can deter criminals who fear being seen. Motion sensor lights startle some homeowners, especially seniors who live alone. Regular outdoor lighting is still sufficient as long as it is turned on. Put your outside lights on all evening, every evening, not just when you are away. And put inside lights on timers, so they always come on. This makes it look like someone is at home at all times. Locking doors important

Simply locking your doors when you are away is something many in our rural communities don’t do regularly. Homes have been robbed when homeowners are just in their backyard. If you live in a secure apartment building, you should still lock your own door.

Burglars are less likely to waste time on strong locks. Deadbolt locks are the best. Don’t forget to have one on your garage door and sheds, too. Consider what is on display to passersby when you leave the garage door open for any length of time. You could be inviting unwanted visitors.

Windows are the weakest point of any home. Keep them locked when you are away. Check with a local hardware store about your particular window type for locks or burglar resistant film for your windows.

Do not hide keys over door moldings or under mats or flowerpots. Thieves check these locations first. Leaving a key with a trusted neighbor is the best alternative. Leave radio on

If you are traveling, have someone check on your house regularly and ensure someone is collecting your mail. Have them adjust the drapes periodically. Leave a radio on low, turn down the phone ringer so outsiders don’t hear it ringing for long periods.

Most importantly, do not keep large amounts of money in your house. Do not open your door to strangers. Should you see something that looks odd or suspicious in your community, call the police. Dawn Thomas is seniors’ safety coordinator for the Town and Municipality of Digby