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Summer and vacation go hand in hand, and that means many people will be leaving town to get away from it all. Since July and August tend to be the months where there is a traditional rise in burglaries, it's important to pay attention to home security while away on a vacation.
The Home Safety Council's website at www.homesafetycouncil.org provides a wealth of information about home safety and offers some pointers for what to do before going on vacation to enhance the safety and security at home.
Taking an inventory of the home to evaluate its vulnerability is a good idea.
Entry doors and door frames should be inspected. External doors should be hinged from the inside, not the outside, where burglars can easily get in by unscrewing the hinge. Place a bar or wooden dowel in the inside track to supplement the lock on sliding glass doors.
Check to make sure all door and window locks are in working order and replace or install any that are broken or need repair. Doors should have deadbolt locks installed. Keep in mind that security bars on doors and windows should have quick-release mechanisms installed inside to allow occupants to open the bars and escape in an emergency.
Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.silvar.org. Send questions on any topic to jnewton@jnpr.com.
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