I recently attended a meeting sponsored through a local community association and the Calgary Police Services relating to home security. As last week's article covered some items related to security, I am going to continue that train of thought.

Security is a home owner's responsibility and there are things to be taken care of. Good security is just not good luck; it takes proper attention to detail.

Felons look for the opportunity and seize the moment to commit most home robberies. You can protect your home from the amateur by being proactive.

Walk around the exterior of your home and look for doors and windows that are covered by trees or shrubs. Reduce the shrubs and tress covering the access to doors and windows around your home.

Ensure your entrance doors are a minimum of 1 1/2" thick solid core or metal clad entrance doors. The doors should be provided with a dead bolt with a minimum throw of 1". The hinges and the lockset should also be protected from the possibility of spreading the jamb. Use a "bolt buddy" which has a strike plate drilled directly into the studs and if the hinges on your door open outward, use non-removable hinge pins or a screw drilled into the doorjamb that also protrudes into the door. If you have glass in the door consider installing a material such as a polycarbonate or lexon plastic. Never use a keyed both side dead bolt because of problems associated with looking for the key in a panic situation. If you still have a milk chute in your home make sure it is secure using Robertson screws and drilling out the square head after the screws have been installed.

Install a viewer on your exterior doors. Viewers should be installed at eye level, and in some cases it may be necessary to install two viewers, one for the adults in your home and another at child eye level. Never open your door to strangers unless you have a solid anti intrusion device installed. Chains are not secure.

Go to your local building supply company or specialty store and review the home security items they stock.

The type of window you have requires attention for home security. Sliding aluminum or vinyl windows can be easily altered to gain access to your home. Simple locks or even using round-headed screws drilled into the head jamb stop lifting up the window for easy removal. Use security screens on your basement windows. When using screens on basement windows make sure they can be opened quickly in the event of fire.

Review the manner in which your mini blinds close. Can you view into the basement or the main floor when the blinds are closed? If you can, change the direction when you close your blinds.

Patio doors are another area where enhanced security is required. Consider installing a drop bar and also consider installing screws in the head jamb to dissuade lifting the door out of its track for entry reasons.

Change your lock cylinders when you take occupancy of a new home. It is not necessary to completely change your locks. In most cases simply removing the screws on the lock set (two for the key in knob and four at the dead bolt) will allow you to remove the cylinder. If you have an existing key it is easier for the hardware store to change the pin combination of the locking mechanism. For your own ease have all cylinders keyed to the same setting. Replacing the locks is usually an easy task, however, the dead bolt does require that you make sure the insert is placed in the neutral position when being re-installed or you may have created a problem where you may not be able to remove the key.

Consider installing security lighting. Such lighting provides safety for guests as well as deterring intruders.

Do a complete inventory of all your possessions: keep a log of the serial numbers, date and place purchased and cost. It is often a good idea to take photos of the items. This inventory is a great asset in case of a fire or robbery. Keep the lists in a secure location. While carrying out an inventory, consider marking your possession with an engraving tool. Identify your items using your drivers' license number.

Keep your home, garage, and car locked at all times except when in use. Never leave your keys in the mailbox, above the brick molding on an entrance door or under a floor mat. There are countless other places to hide an entrance key and these are provided as ideas. Hide a key in a flowerpot, under a low deck, in the clean out of a fireplace flue or any other place that is only known to the occupants.

Dogs are deterrents to robbers, however, not all dogs make for good watchdogs and they require lots of care and love.

Signs on your home act as a deterrent to criminals as does an alarm system. Security is your responsibility, and the more security items you complete, the less chance a criminal selects your home as a target.

Finally, get to know your neighbors and if possible join a block watch.

-The opinions and ideas expressed are solely those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Calgary Real Estate News. Paul Tobolski is the owner of Ability Home Inspections and can be reached at 519-6038 or 286-HOME(4663). Paul has over thirty-five years of experience in the areas of design, construction, maintenance and inspection of homes. He has been a member of the CAHPI (Ab.) since 1993.