Home and Property Safety

Your home should be a safe place for you and your family.

Taking simple, proactive steps can greatly reduce your risk of theft, break-ins, and property damage — whether you’re home, away, or preparing for the holidays.

Interior

Lock all doors and windows — even when you’re home alone. Pay attention to basement and ground-level windows and patio doors.
If you are a new tenant or homeowner, change all locks and install deadbolts and a door viewer (peephole).
Consider installing a security alarm or camera system, and check that it’s in working order.
Insure your home and contents, and review coverage regularly.
Keep valuables such as jewellery, passports, and important documents in a locked safe or safety deposit box.
Maintain a home inventory of electronics, tools, and valuables using photos or video and store receipts safely.
Keep car keys and house keys in a secure but accessible location, not near exterior doors.
Use curtains or blinds to limit visibility into your home from the street.
Ask for identification before allowing sales or service personnel inside your home.
Shred personal papers and financial statements before disposal.

Exterior

Arrange for mail pickup, lawn care, or snow removal when you’re away from home.
Install motion-activated lighting and keep the exterior well-lit at night.
Trim shrubs and trees so doors and windows remain visible to neighbours.
Lock up ladders, tools, and garbage bins — these can be used to gain entry.
Replace locks immediately if keys are lost or stolen.
Do not hide spare keys under doormats, planters, or mailboxes — leave a spare with someone you trust.
Avoid leaving notes such as “Leave parcel at the door” or “Back soon”.
Remove names from mailboxes to limit personal information exposure.
Secure your mailbox with a locking mechanism.
Displaying a “Beware of Dog” sign can deter opportunistic thieves, even if you don’t have one.
Ensure your property looks maintained and occupied — thieves target homes that appear unattended.

Vacation

Avoid posting travel plans or vacation photos on social media until you return home.
Pack your vehicle discreetly and avoid drawing attention when preparing to leave.
Use light timers to switch lights or sprinklers on and off at varying times.
Cover or frost garage windows so it’s not obvious when your vehicle is gone.
Secure all entrances — including garage, basement, and patio doors — before leaving.
Place metal bars or wood dowels in sliding doors or windows for extra security.
Leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour or friend, not outside your home.
Notify your alarm company of your absence and provide emergency contacts.
Ask trusted neighbours to watch for unusual activity and collect mail or packages.
Consider compensating a neighbour to handle yard work or snow clearing while you’re away.
Maintain the appearance that someone is home at all times.

Holiday Crime Prevention

The holiday season can be a busy and distracting time — which is why it’s also a peak period for property crime.
Follow these tips to keep your home and packages secure:
Keep holiday gifts and deliveries out of sight from windows and doors.
If shopping online, track your parcels and pick them up promptly.
Request packages to be delivered to a secure location or to someone you trust.
Do not display empty boxes (for TVs, computers, etc.) at the curb — break them down before recycling.
If hosting guests, keep coats, handbags, and car keys away from the entryway.
Avoid running extension cords through open windows for outdoor lights — it can create easy access for entry.
When decorating outdoors, ensure lights and wires are weather-safe and do not obstruct security cameras.
Remember that scammers also target people during the holidays — be cautious of charity and delivery-related frauds.

Remember:

A few simple precautions can make your home less inviting to criminals.

If you see suspicious activity in your neighbourhood, call the Woodstock Police Service at 519-537-2323 (non-emergency) or dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.