DOORS
- Are all exterior entryway doors solid wood or steel?
- The front door has a peephole or modern smart doorbell?
- All exterior entryway doors have deadbolt locks with minimum
- 1-inch penetration of door jam?
- All exterior entryway doors have strike plates securely fastened
- with a minimum of 3-inch screws?
- All sliding doors secured with rods, dowels, and/or screw locks?
WINDOWS
- All windows checked for fully functional locking mechanisms?
- Sliding & large windows secured with rods, bars, and/or screw locks?
- Windows reinforced with security film?
- Security grills or bars installed in basement and egress windows?
LIGHTING
- Street address well illuminated and clearly visible from the curb?
- Walkways and paths leading to home/business well lit?
- Motion-activated exterior lights near all home,
- business, and outbuildings entry points?
- Interior lighting in various rooms set with timers?
- Are window locks checked for fully functional locking mechanisms?
GARAGES, SHEDS, OUTBUILDINGS
- All tools stored inside? Especially ones that might appeal to opportunistic criminals?
- Garage door and remote openers never left in car?
- Automatic and/or mechanical doors disconnected if away for extended periods?
COMMUNITY
- Have you introduced yourself/made yourself known to all neighbours?
- Do you know all your neighbour’s addresses?
- Are you a member of neighbourhood or community watch groups?
- Do you call the police when you see suspicious or potentially criminal activity?
ALARMS AND SURVEILLANCE
- Do you have an alarm system?
- Do all adult or responsible family members and employees know how to activate and
- deactivate the alarm?
- Does the alarm have a reliable backup power source?
- Do you have a smart doorbell?
LANDSCAPING
- Trees trimmed to maximize visibility?
- Strategically placed hostile vegetation such as thorny bushes placed near windows
- and fences?
- Trees groomed as to not allow easy access to second-floor windows and balconies?
- All gates and fencing regularly closed and locked?
- Scheduled grooming and maintenance of yard, property?
EXTENDED ABSENCES
- Plan for mail and newspapers during absence?
- Ask trusted friends, family, and/or neighbours to watch home/business?
- Friend, family, or service maintain lawn care and snow removal while away?
- Recheck and set timers on interior lighting while away?
MISCELLANEOUS
- Do you own a dog?
- Do you have a beware of dog sign? Even if not a dog owner?
- Have you designated a secret hiding place or safe for valuables?
- Have you properly documented and insured all valuables?
- Bikes put away and/or locked up?
- Own personal protection firearm?
- Obtained a conceal carry permit? Get your concealed carry permit.
- Gun safety and training courses?
MORE HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST
- Install and regularly check smoke/carbon monoxide detectors?
- All meds and poisonous substances properly stored with child-proof lids?
- Outlets are not overloaded with excessive items/voltage plugged in?
- Outlets are not emanating warmth?
- No wires or cords are frayed or in need of repair?
- No cords run across doorways or heavily trafficked areas?
- Regularly check the dryer and remove lint from the screen?
- All windows open quickly from the inside?
- Keep all small appliances unplugged when not in use?
- Emergency rope ladder for upper floors?
- Back up heat source?
- Address easily visible at all times for emergency responders?
- Are outside vents and filters cleaned and cleared regularly?
- Flashlights and candles easily accessible?
