Exterior Security
- Keep tools, ladders and garbage pails locked away.
- Keep bicycles, barbecues and lawn equipment securely stored.
- Have adequate exterior lighting.
- Trim trees and shrubs that could easily hide intruders.
- Don’t leave notes on your door.
- Don’t leave spare keys hidden outside – they can be found.
- Don’t use a nameplate outside of your house with your full name. A criminal can use this information to look up your number in the phone book and call to see if you are home.
Vacation Security Tips
- Inform trusted neighbours or relatives of your vacation plans and where you can be reached. Leave a key with them so they can check your house.
- Have a neighbour park a car in your driveway, and pick up your mail, newspapers and flyers.
- Ask a neighbour to put one of their garbage bags in front of your house on collection day.
- Don’t order merchandise for delivery while you are away, and cancel regular deliveries.
- Don’t talk about your vacation plans with strangers or service people.
- Use your work address on your luggage tags so a potential criminals won’t know where your empty house is.
- Secure or remove valuables and firearms from your home.
- Leave your house with a lived-in look. Use automatic timers to turn on lights and radios.
- Have your lawn cut or snow removed while you are away.
- If you come home and see a door ajar or a window broken, call the police immediately. NEVER enter the dwelling. If it looks suspicious – don’t hesitate – call police.
Ottawa Police Service Safety and Prevention Tips
