Play it safe so home burglars will pass you by

Think you can run to the store for “just a minute” and skip locking the door? Keep in mind that every eight to 10 seconds, 24 hours a day, a burglary occurs in the United States. More than 6 million homes were burglarized nationwide in 2003, according to FBI statistics, with the most incidents occurring in June, July and August.

“Unlocked doors and windows are the classic form of entry in about half the break-ins,” said Det. Jim Willis of the Los Angeles Police Department. “Burglary can be preventable by simply securing your residence.”

Starting at the front door, check if the lock is adequate. The average burglar will give up trying to force entry after about four minutes. How long would it take to gain access to your place?

Take a stroll with a friend. Walk the perimeter of the place you call home and evaluate potential break-in points. Try locking all the windows and testing them by tugging. A friend may note something you may have grown accustomed to and missed, such as a ladder outside the garage. Keep any item that would help gain entry locked up and put away.

Bushes, trees and landscaping should be kept trimmed and away from windows and entry areas. Intruders often make use of a place to hide before they pounce. Don’t give them a chance.

Deadbolts usually provide an extra hedge against unwanted entry. If your unit doesn’t have one, ask the landlord to install one. In some states, the law requires a deadbolt on doors for renters. In California, State Civil Code 1941.3 requires that an owner or manager provide “an operable deadbolt lock on each main swinging door of a dwelling unit.” Visit www.leginfo.ca.gov for more information.

Nonswinging doors, such as sliding patio doors, should have a dowel pin installed into the frame. Sliding doors can be lifted out of the track and removed if the lock or a dowel is not secure.

Window locks are important too. During a recent break-in through a bathroom window, an intruder slid open a 24-by-18-inch unlocked window, tilted it out and climbed in. Be sure to lock windows of all sizes before leaving the premises.

Police advocate the installation and use of peepholes. It’s a good idea to look before unlocking a door. Women living by themselves should use their initials and last names on mailboxes rather than full names and “Miss,” “Ms.” or “Mrs.”

Use timers, about $10 at most home stores, on lamps and radios to give your place an occupied atmosphere. Also, check that the building’s exterior is well-lighted at night. If the place is dark, notify the management about the situation.

Join or organize an apartment watch group, which allows everyone to get together regularly, discuss common concerns and look out for each other.

Losses due to burglary averaged $1,482 per offense in 2002, according to FBI statistics. If you would be hard hit financially by a burglary, consider getting renter’s insurance.

Something amiss? If you come home and find the door unlocked or suspect a burglar is inside, do not enter. Leave quietly and call the police immediately.

The quicker they’re notified, the higher the odds your possessions will be recovered. Be sure not to touch or disturb anything until police arrive.

While in most states a landlord has a basic duty to keep the premises safe, remember that it takes both landlord and tenant to keep intruders out.

H. May Spitz is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer. Reader comments may be sent to hmayspitz@aol.com.