Home safety tips Home safety tips (November 12, 2004)

Mountain View police spokesperson Jim Bennett provided safety tips to residents at Monday's community meeting. Here are some of his suggestions:

* Keep doors and windows shut and locked, especially when the house is empty and at night.

* Never keep a spare key hidden outside.

* Install motion-sensing light fixtures around your house.

* Keep landscaping neatly trimmed so as not to give cover to burglars.

* Make sure house numbers are visible from the street, lighted and are at least 4 inches tall, so police can find your house if there is an emergency call.

* Fences should be at least 6 feet high, and gates should be locked with a padlock.

* Use deadbolt locks on outside doors, including the door from the garage to the house.

* Close the blinds and drapes when no one is home.

* Do not leave valuables near windows.

* Do not install pet doors.

* Consider installing an alarm.

-- Kathy Shrenk

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