To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of burglary:

• Put your address (numerical #s) on your mailbox or at the street for emergency personnel.

• Do not leave valuable items in plain view of windows.

• Cut all bushes and trees back from around windows and doors to avoid hiding spots and shadows.

• Do not leave spare keys hidden on your property: most burglars know all the common hiding spots.

• Make sure exterior doors are solid wood core or metal.

• All exterior doors should have double keyed deadbolt locks with a minimum bolt throw of 1-inch.

• All door jams should have 3-inch screws.

• Outside floodlights should be left on from dusk to dawn. Remove motion detectors and put in timers.

• Put lights on alternating timers when you leave home and do not disconnect them when you are home.

• Leave a radio on when you leave the house.

• Do not open your door to anyone you do not know.

Take a minute to answer this checklist to see how prepared you are.

• Is your shrubbery trimmed so a burglar cannot hide near windows and doors?

• Do your outside lights light up all the entrances to your home?

• Are garage doors kept closed and locked at all times?

• Are exterior doors solid and heavy duty and backed up with deadbolt locks?

• Are sliding glass doors secured with secondary locks or pins?

• Are windows secured with backup keyed locks or pinned with a nail?

• Are doors locked at all times?

• Are your valuables marked with your South Carolina driver's license number?

• Do you have a listing of all valuables complete with model number, serial number, name brand, etc.?

• Do you report suspicious persons or activity to the Sheriff's Dept. immediately?

• Have you had the Richland County Sheriff’s Department out to your house or business to conduct a FREE 20 minute security analysis by calling 576-3033?