Many neighborhoods have started "Neighborhood
Watch Programs" and this is an excellent initiative that all neighborhoods
should initiate. It is an excellent way for neighbors to band together
and keep a watchful eye on everyone's property and safety. You can download
an article that we found on a web site which tells you more about neighborhood
watch programs, however this page focuses on how you should integrate
Home Sitting with your local neighborhood watch program.
Neighborhood watch programs are an excellent way to keep an
eye on your home and watch for anything that is out of the ordinary. Whether
it is an open garage, a car parked were it should not be or even a broken window.
They can be your eyes and ears when you are away from home and it is neighbors
helping neighbors!
There are several reasons why you would want to combine the
advantage of your local neighborhood watch program with a home sitting service.
First, your Home Sitting Service will check the inside of the home for security
issues as well as leaks and running water, which neighbors will miss unless
they have a reason to enter your home.
Second a Home sitting service when integrated with the neighborhood watch
program can look after any incidents that are reported such as emergency repairs
and dealing with your insurance agent.
Third, you know that someone will check all aspects of your home on a schedule
you have defined.
Fourth, you will continue to satisfy your insurance needs, that may call for someone to enter the home on a regular basis to confirm security, heating in winter, etc of the home.
We have listed a few of the steps you should consider in the following. Please download the article on neighborhood watch programs for more detail.
To sum up:
Join or initiate a neighborhood watch program.
Get to know your neighbors.
Advise neighbors and Neighbor Hood Watch captains that you have hired a
home sitting service.
Provide both with phone numbers so that they can get in touch with each other if needed.
Watch out for all vehicles, not just vans and trucks. Passenger
cars, expensive, & inexpensive are also used by thieves.
Be prepared with the license number of the car. Write down a general description of the car.
Tell your neighbors when you are having work done, or when you are going
to be away from home, even for a short trip.
Become familiar with your neighbors cars. Any cars that you do not recognize
should be considered suspect.
Report suspicious vehicles to a neighborhood watch local web site,
Do not call law enforcement unless you are reporting an actual crime, or threatening situation.
Do not give out any information about your home or family over the phone.
Do not advertises that you are living alone.
Do not open your doors to strangers. Demand proper identification.
Burglars know all the hiding places. Do not leave, or hide house keys outside of your house, or give keys to a repairman.
Install double cylinder dead bold locks.
Sliding glass doors should always be secured with a pin-type
locking device or a "Charlie bar."
Keep garage doors closed and locked. Lock up any tools that can be used for entering your home.
When you leave make your home look occupied.
A barking dog is one of the most effective burglar alarms.