If you've recently separated or divorced, the fear of home invasion can be very real. Once, there were two of you to stand sentinel over your home. Now, you're "home alone."
"It can have an incredibly strong impact on a person's emotional state," says Lesley Ackrill, spokesperson for The Interval House, a Toronto women's shelter. "When someone has divorced or separated, they already feel like they've had a loss. If they have to move, it all just sort of snowballs. Their self-esteem is low, they don't know where things are, and they're out of their element. It all contributes to the absolute insecurity of the whole situation."
Fortunately, there are many precautions that you can take to reduce the risk of home invasion. Whether you choose to implement simple, low-cost security measures or to install a sophisticated security system, the key to prevention is to be proactive.
Click here for tips from crime prevention officers and industry experts that may help your home from becoming a statistic.
- Know Your Neighbors
- Do Your Homework
- Be Mindful of Entry Points
- Secure Your Personal Safety
- Protect Yourself in an Apartment
- More Apartment Safety Tips
- Come and Go the Smart Way
- When You Are Away
- More Sophisticated Security Measures
- Pick a Safety Deposit Box
Know Your Neighbors
It's only natural that you value your privacy right now, but getting to know your neighbors is an important step in crime prevention. That "Nosy Parker" across the street or down the hall could prove to be a valuable ally. "When someone is watching your home, that's a good thing," says Police Constable Ed Heinrichs, a crime prevention officer with the Metro Toronto Police Service's Community Policing Support Unit. Remember: getting to know some of your neighbors doesn't mean that you have to provide them with intimate details about your separation or divorce. Try to be cognizant of your neighbors' comings and goings. You might also consider exchanging telephone numbers with your immediate neighbors. Contact your local police division for information about joining or starting a Neighborhood Watch.
