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Kathy Lafuse

Serving Lafayette & West Lafayette, Indiana
& Purdue University since 1987

Homeowner Tips

Safety First

Maintain your doors and locks. 
Inspect the condition of your exterior doors. Make sure that they fully close, are sturdy enough to provide resistance to kick-ins and that there are no gaps along the frame. 

Tip: Check each door’s strike plate, hinges and handle for looseness.

Tip: Damaged door hardware? Make repairs or replace immediately. 
 

Maintain your windows
Inspect and repair all exterior frames, glass panes and latches to make sure all windows are securely attached to the window frames and always keep them locked when they’re closed, including all sliding patio doors. 

Tip: Take a strong dowel or steel bar and slide it into the back groove of your sliding doors. This way even if the lock is picked, the door can’t be slid open. 
 

Install safety lighting
Purchase indoor lighting timers for when you are away from your home for a lengthy period of time, since such lights gives the illusion that you’re home. 

It’s also important to have adequate outdoor lighting so that there are no dangerous dark areas. 

Tip: Consider installing outdoor motion detector lights near exterior doors and windows for some added security. If you have a large yard, you may want to install floodlights, too. 
 

Be mindful of your spare keys 
Try to limit the number of keys you lend out.  Give the babysitter or dog walker your garage code instead of an actual key.

 Find a unique place to keep a spare key around the house, be original. Avoid hiding a spare key under fake rocks, doormats or along the. Choose a spot that a burglar won’t think to check!


Be careful how you showcase the property in your home
Keeping expensive items in plain sight near windows makes your house a target! Get a burglar’s point of view by opening all of your curtains and walk around your house.

 Tip: Any personal items, such as jewelry, big screen TV or your computers, consider where they are placed and stored or buy thick drapes and blinds so your valuable items don’t tempt robbers.  


Consider an alarm system
If you live in an area with high crime, are away from home often, work odd hours, or just want some extra protection, an alarm system is a great security addition.

Homeowners generally pay between $100 and $1,200 for a burglar alarm (price dependent on home size and system), plus a monthly monitoring fee of around $40.

Tip: Not in your budget? Prominently display a sign about that a security system is on the premises.  

 




Property Care



Kathy Lafuse
Kathy Lafuse
Broker Associate
(765) 426-0227 (765) 742-1400
427 Main St Lafayette IN 47901

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