IS YOUR HOME AS SAFE AS YOU THINK IT IS?

The National Crime Prevention Council Offers Important Tips To Protect Your Home During The Holidays and Throughout the Year

Story Summary:

Home security is a concern for all homeowners, but during the holidays, when people are busy buying gifts, preparing for guests, and enjoying the spirit of the season, they sometimes let their guards down. The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), an educational nonprofit, and the nation's focal point for crime prevention information, says this is a big mistake. The holidays are a perfect time for criminals to burglarize a home. There are a number of things that tell a burglar your home is a good target, but there are some easy and inexpensive ways to make your home more secure.

According to NCPC President and CEO, Al Lenhardt, "thieves are successful when the 3 C's are on their side - concealment, cover and convenience. When the 3 C's are in place, a home is a prime target for burglary. So it's important for homeowners to take proactive steps to eliminate the attractiveness for thieves."

There are some easy and inexpensive ways to make your home safer.

• Make sure that shrubs and bushes close to the house are cut back to a safe height so they do not block the windows or provide a place to hide.
• Use lighting to "brighten" up your yard, particularly at access points like the patio, back door or garage areas. Motion detection lights are recommended.
• Install locks on all windows.
• Install high security locks with key control on your doors.

High security locks on all doors - unless they are patent protected, anyone who has your keys, even for a short time (handyman, valet, babysitter, etc.) can make a copy of them quickly and easily and without your knowledge. High security key control locks are available through professional locksmiths or security centers. Look for ANSI or U.L. ratings on the Key Control locks. That designation will ensure that you are indeed buying key control locks.

For more tips on how to protect your home and your family, visit the National Crime Prevention Council's Web site at www.ncpc.org.

Soundbites

• Jeff Bartlett, homeowner
• Al Lenhardt, president and CEO, National Crime Prevention Council

B-Roll Includes

• Shots of the home and the homeowners in their environment; natural sound of the homeowners and Al Lenhardt walking around the house, and Al pointing making suggesting on things that they can change to guard against crime. Shots of high security patent protected locks being installed at the home. Video of key duplication, and video of the homeowner handing keys to a valet, the housekeeper, pet sitter, and others - to set up the story.

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: "National Crime Prevention Council"