Sheriff Offers Hot Weather Security Tips

News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: (360)427-9670 Ext 313 or (360)275-4467 Ext 313
Authority:  Chief Deputy B.Dean Byrd

MCSO Case #:  n/a

Shelton, WA - Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office reminds people that hot weather can bring an increase in thefts and burglaries by creating additional opportunities for criminals to enter your home or vehicle.  Home owners become more vulnerable to such crimes when doors and windows are left open at night to cool their homes.

Sheriff’s Office personnel would like to remind residents about some helpful crime prevention tips regarding home security:

 Be sure to secure your home by keeping doors and windows locked unless you are at home and awake.  Windows can be partly open to allow air flow, but make the opening small enough so intruders cannot climb in
 Exterior Doors should be metal or solid core
 Quality, heavy duty dead bolt locks, knob in lock sets, strike plates, and wide angle peep holes should be utilized on exterior doors
 Secondary blocking devices should be used on sliding glass doors and sliding windows
 Keep the outside of your home well lit and use motion detecting lights
 Use interior timers to activate lights and radios to give the perceptions of occupancy
 Know your neighbors so you can distinguish suspicious activity in your neighborhood
 Install an alarm system

Citizens observing something suspicious should not hesitate to call 911 immediately.  Do not worry about looking foolish if the “suspect” is not doing anything wrong.