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Be Prepared
 | Engrave your possessions with your driver's license number
and make a written inventory. Take photographs of jewelry, silver, antiques,
art, and any additional items you do not engrave.
| Keep a copy of your inventory and photographs in a deposit
box or somewhere away from your home. Update your inventory regularly.
| Watch out for all vehicles, not just vans and trucks.
| Be prepared to obtain the license number of a suspicious
vehicle.
| Keep a pencil and paper in the car. If you see a prowling
car in your neighborhood, take down the license number. Ask your children to
be alert for suspicious vehicles while they are out and around the
neighborhood.
| Patrol the area whenever you leave and return home. Street
activity is a very good deterrent to crime. Become familiar with your
neighbor's cars. Any car that does not belong in your neighborhood should be
considered a possible suspect.
| Report suspicious vehicles to the Sheriff’s Office. Remember,
it is the Sheriff’s Office's job to investigate; yours is only to report.
| Do not give out any information about your home or family
over the phone. Do not tell strangers when you will be away. Be suspicious
of anyone you do not know.
| Put large house numbers on the mailbox. This helps in
locating your home in an emergency situation.
| Do not advertise that you are living alone. Single women
should list their names in the phone directory with only the first and
middle initial.
| Never open your door to strangers. Install a peephole so
you can properly identify strangers before opening your door.
| Do not be afraid to demand proper identification.
| Put a peephole in your door for small children.
| Do not put a name tag on your house keys.
| Do not give keys to repairmen. Separate auto keys and house
keys to avoid duplication.
| Never leave a key under a doormat, in the mailbox, or
hanging from a nail. Burglars know all the "secret hiding places."
| Install double cylinder deadbolt locks on all exterior
doors six inches above or below the present locks. If you use the deadbolt
lock when you at home, leave the key in the lock to prevent your house from
becoming a firetrap. Sliding glass doors should be secured with a pin-type
locking device or "Charlie bar." Window gates and special window
locks that can be opened only with a key are effective; however, if you do
install these locks, leave the key in them when you are home.
| Do not let your house become a firetrap while trying to
protect it from burglars.
| Keep garage doors closed and locked. An empty garage is a
reasonably good sign the homeowner is away. Lock up any tools that may be
used for prying or breaking.
| While away, make your home look and sound occupied. To
create the appearance that someone is home, use a timer to turn lights on
and off at normal times.
| A radio playing adds to the illusion that the home is
occupied. Your home's exterior should be well-lit.
| Do no leave blind spots where burglars can hide. When in
doubt, a thief looks for an easier target. |  |
Home | Applications
| Divisions | History
| The Sheriff | Locations
| Phone Nos. | Safety
Tips | Links | Onslow County
(Return to Safety Tips Page)