Another preventive measure is the installation of video doorbells and peepholes on doors to be able to see out, and to never open a door to strangers.
Among the general measures to keep the home safe, it is recommended to immediately change the locks if you have lost keys, or if a domestic worker is dismissed.
Avoid opening your door to people who come to provide a service or deliver a product, and even more if it not something you have expected. Verify identity of the person, and call the company they come from to make sure they work there.
Avoid sharing information about your routines and possessions on social media, as it can be used for criminal purposes.
Neighborhood collaboration is essential for self-protection, so it is recommended to create or maintain a support and surveillance network with neighbors, in addition to having updated emergency telephone numbers easily available to be able to report any suspicious incident in a timely manner.
- When going on a trip, be sure to keep doors, windows, skylights, or any other access tightly closed.
- Avoid leaving any interior light on, as this will reveal the absence of people.
- Ask a family member or trusted person to come regularly to your home to pick up mail and to clean the exterior, to prevent your absence from being noticed.
- Before going on a trip, make sure not to leave ladders or any other object outside the house that can be used to scale the walls.
- Notify your trusted neighbors about your trip, so that, if necessary, they can report any suspicious situation immediately.