How to help keep your home in Onion Creek safe from intruders

You can do a lot to protect yourself, your family, and your home from intruders. Follow these suggestions to ensure that your home is as safe a haven as possible:

• Doors that lead to the outside should be metal or solid core; hollow doors can be easily broken through.
• Doors should fit in their frames with no more than 1/8" clearance between the door and frame.
• Make sure that all doors to the outside have deadbolt locks with a minimum 1-1/2" bolt, and make sure that locks are also installed on screen and storm doors, garage doors, patio doors, and any other door that leads outside.
• Locks on doors should be placed at least 40 inches away from w indows, glass panels, and other potential openings.
• Never hide keys outside. It’s better to leave a key with a trusted neighbor.
• Don’t place identification tags on your keys or key rings.
• Secure roof openings and exhaust systems.
• Make sure windows, especially those at ground level, have good locks — and always use the locks you have.
• Make sure all porches and other possible entrances are well lit, with at least 40-watt bulbs.
• Keep bushes, tree limbs, or other landscaping trimmed to the height of porches/windows. C

Beware of Solicitors

                 Rick Blume, Site Supervisor, Onion Creek Security Force

Onion Creek residents have been besieged over the past several months by a team of young (18-22) males going door to door trying to sell magazine subscriptions. Unfortunately, Onion Creek is not off limits to solicitors as long as they follow simple rules that include (1) avoiding any residence that has a “no solicitation” sign on the property; (2) staying off lawns; and (3) approaching only the front door of the residence. Privately maintained areas of Onion Creek should have “no solicitation” signs posted at the entrances(s) to that property.

              Certainly some of these groups are legitimate and well meaning, but all of them should be treated with caution. Observation of these individuals and groups reveal that they have a well-rehearsed spiel that can wear down your resistance. Don't buy something you do not want or need just to get rid of them.

When dealing with solicitors, here are some points to remember:

           1. It is your home; you do not have to open the door.

           2. Never open your door to anyone you don't know.

           3. Do not allow anyone you don't know to get too close to the door. Ask them to step back.                If they don't, keep the door locked and call security.

            4. After hearing what they are offering, simply say “No thank you” and keep the door                               locked. If they stay and approach the door again, call security.

            5. If at any time you feel threatened call 911, then security. Solicitors depend on initiating a                conversation to make sales. Be polite, say NO, and keep the door locked.

One final point to remember:  If someone rings your doorbell or knocks on your door at night be extra cautious about opening the door. It's a good idea to turn on a couple of inside lights so that your home looks occupied. If it appears that no one is home, it could encourage a thief to break into your home.