PLAN AHEAD!

Take time to go over some what if scenarios with your family.  These should cover all kinds of emergencies:fire, intruder, injuries, etc.

Examples:
    Fire- go over all of the exit possibilities in case of fire.  Doors, which windows are accessible, make sure all windows and doors are in good operating condition.  Even if they are not often used, open and close them regularly.  Even oil if needed.

    Security- What to do in case of an intruder while home.  Hiding spots, easy exits, safe room, even self defense.

  Injury-  Go over possible scenarios and figure out the best option for each.  Including first aid supplies, emergency phone #'s, neighbor's who can help

  If you see a story in the news, think about what you would do. 

WWW.COTTONWOODSECURITY.COM

Create An Illusion!

Always create an illusion that someone is inside the home.  Most home burglaries occur in the middle of the day when nobody is around, or when a homeowner is out of town for a couple days.  Criminals look for those opportunities.  Below are a couple tips on how to create the illusion that somebody is home, even if they are not.
  Leave a TV on, in the day, an approaching would be thief can hear it and may assume somebody is sitting on the couch with a bag of lays.  At night, the TV will project different lighting in the room that will catch an eye of passing people.
  Postpone your newspaper delivery,  nothing says "nobody home" like a pile of untouched newspapers on the front porch.
  Have a home sitter or neighbor help you with the following:
   They can go in daily and turn on different lights.  One night living room,  kitchen the next. 
   If you have a mailbox on the home, have them collect it for you.  Similar to the newspaper, a mailbox bursting at the seams for several days is a tell tell sign.
   If it is winter, ask them to shovel your walks, or at least make foot prints to and from the door.
   Tell them to park in your driveway or have visitors park there.
Anybody watching the home may notice the activity.

WWW.COTTONWOODSECURITY.COM

IDENTIFICATION!

    Many burlaries end with stolen goods being sold or pawned for a quick buck.  When a pawn shop buys something, they are required to enter serial numbers in to a database with police access.  If they are labled stolen, they are recovered by police and capable of being returned.  Also, whoever is pawning the goods is required to show identification to associate them with the item. 
   With that in mind, it is a good idea to take note of serial numbers of any goods in your home.  All mass produced items will have one; TV's, radios, computers, phones, ipods, etc.
   Also, along the same lines.  It is important to have copies of all personal information including those kept in a wallet or purse such as: ID, Credit Cards, etc.

  Also, keep a copy of them in a safe place like a saftey deposit box, safe, or trusted relatives home.

WWW.COTTONWOODSECURITY.COM

WARNING!

Display warning signs on your property.  Signs or stickers referencing alarms, dogs, guns in the home, etc.  If you already have a monitored alarm system, make sure they give you all of their available sign and sticker products.  If not, you can purchase them or have any custom made at your local sign shop.  They also come FREE if you purchase an alarm or security product (door, window guard, surveillance system, etc.) from us.

Other good options are signs around your property such as "keep out" "private property" "no trespassing" "24 hr. video surveillance"

WWW.COTTONWOODSECURITY.COM