5) Windows are left open day and night, especially during the hot summer months.  Ground level window are much more vulnerable to break in, than 2nd story windows.  However if there is access via a fire escape, tree or otherwise, they are targets too.  Like sliding doors, windows have latches, not locks, and therefore should have secondary
blocking devices to prevent sliding them open from the outside.

Remember those cut off broom handles you mom used to put in the window track?  It really works!  Be sure to use “through-the-frame pins” for vertical sliding
windows.  For ventilation, don’t let the window open more than six inches, and make sure someone with long arms can’t reach in and remove the locking device.   I was always a fan of the lock-screw window slide locks.  Whatever you decide, make sure it’s easy to remove from the inside, in case of fire.

For ground level windows, be sure to install something for antilift such as the item shown here.  Simple and effective.

6)  Lighting:  A dark apartment or house night after night is a great invitation to burglars that your having an open house!  Make sure to use some light timers.  These are inexpensive and available everywhere.   You don’t just have to use them for lights, you can use them to make some noise too!   Have them turn on the TV!  The flickering light will make it look more authentic.  Make sure the volume is loud enough to be heard through the door.

Make sure your exterior lighting is up to par.  For simplicity, you can buy motion detectors that screw right into an existing light bulb socket!  Burglars won’t hide in the light, so light up those doorways, carports, sideyards, bushes and snywhere where you don’t have at least 100 feet of visibility. 

7)  Finally, be a good neighbor.  Good neighbors will watch out for your apartment and vehicle when you
are away, if you ask them. They can report suspicious activity to
management, to the police, or to you while you are away. Between them,
good neighbors can see to it that normal services continue in your
absence by allowing authorized vendors to enter your home. 

  Keys:  If you have hide a key, consider a lockbox (like the kind realtors use) or a diversion safe like the ones shown here.

hide a key, burglars, window lock, forced entry, burglary

5) Windows are left open day and night, especially during the hot summer months.  Ground level window are much more vulnerable to break in, than 2nd story windows.  However if there is access via a fire escape, tree or otherwise, they are targets too.  Like sliding doors, windows have latches, not locks, and therefore should have secondary
blocking devices to prevent sliding them open from the outside.

Remember those cut off broom handles you mom used to put in the window track?  It really works!  Be sure to use “through-the-frame pins” for vertical sliding
windows.  For ventilation, don’t let the window open more than six inches, and make sure someone with long arms can’t reach in and remove the locking device.   I was always a fan of the lock-screw window slide locks.  Whatever you decide, make sure it’s easy to remove from the inside, in case of fire.

For ground level windows, be sure to install something for antilift such as the item shown here.  Simple and effective.

6)  Lighting:  A dark apartment or house night after night is a great invitation to burglars that your having an open house!  Make sure to use some light timers.  These are inexpensive and available everywhere.   You don’t just have to use them for lights, you can use them to make some noise too!   Have them turn on the TV!  The flickering light will make it look more authentic.  Make sure the volume is loud enough to be heard through the door.

Make sure your exterior lighting is up to par.  For simplicity, you can buy motion detectors that screw right into an existing light bulb socket!  Burglars won’t hide in the light, so light up those doorways, carports, sideyards, bushes and snywhere where you don’t have at least 100 feet of visibility. 

7)  Finally, be a good neighbor.  Good neighbors will watch out for your apartment and vehicle when you
are away, if you ask them. They can report suspicious activity to
management, to the police, or to you while you are away. Between them,
good neighbors can see to it that normal services continue in your
absence by allowing authorized vendors to enter your home. 

  Keys:  If you have hide a key, consider a lockbox (like the kind realtors use) or a diversion safe like the ones shown here.

burglary, window locks, hide a key, hide-a-key,

At first glance, it looks like the police officer is carrying 2 pistols.  Upon closer inspection, you can see that 1 of the holstered weapons, is actually a Taser.  He is carrying 1 of 2 models:  The M18L, or the X26

Both of these units are highly durable and are designed to for ease of function.  The citizen units, carry the same wallop as the police models with some important additional advantages including a 30 second shock cycle allowing maximum time to get away.  The follow quote is from Taser International website:
 “The main difference in the X26C vs. X26 law enforcement model is that the X26C model uses a 10-second cycle vs. a 5-second cycle and the range. Citizens have 15-foot range versus 25-foot range for law enforcement. Moreover, the X26C trigger can be triggered several times to create a 30-second cycle. The user can then deploy the X26C, squeeze the trigger 3 times quickly to create a 30-second cycle (3 x 10 second cycle = 30 seconds), place the X26C on the ground and depart a dangerous scene while the X26C safely disables the intruder.  The law enforcement version cannot be squeezed multiple times to create back to back cycles. The law enforcement X26 uses a 5-second cycle. It can be overridden by the user but the instant the finger is off the trigger, the cycle stops. Multiple trigger pulls will not change the 5-second cycle either.”

The M18L looks more like a traditional pistol, is simple and effective. The X26C has sort of a space age appearance, and can be fitted with a video camera in the handle, making it suitable for collection of evidence.  This can be very useful if you are a security officer, private investigator or bodyguard.  

The absolute best deals on Tasers can be found at www.smartlifestore.com

taser, x26, x26c, m18, m18l