The Forest Hills Neighborhood Association

Home Safety Tips

Home Safety Tips
Good locks, simple precautions, neighborhood alertness and common sense can help prevent most property crimes.

Locks, Doors, and Windows

  • Install good deadbolt locks in your doors, and use them (about half of burglars enter through unlocked doors and windows)
  • Use double-key deadbolts, and remove the key from the lock
  • Make sure outside doors, including the one between your house and garage, are solid, 1 3/4 inch metal or wood and fit tightly in their frames. Hinges should be inside
  • Secure sliding glass doors with locks
  • Lock double-hung windows by sliding a bolt or nail into a hold drilled at a downward angle through the top of each sash

Outside

  • Trim back shrubbery that hides doors or windows. Cut back tree limbs that could help a thief climb to second story windows
  • Make sure all porches, entrances and yards are well lit, including motion sensor lighting
  • Be sure the neighborhood is kept up well. Dark areas, litter and rundown areas attract crime

Key Sense

  • Do not hide house keys in mail boxes, planters or under doormats
  • Do not put personal identification on key rings
  • Leave only your ignition key with mechanics or parking attendants
  • If you lose the keys to your home or move, change the locks immediately

Going Away?

  • Make your home appear occupied. When you go out leave lights on and music playing
  • Keep your garage door closed and locked
  • Use timing devices to turn inside lights on and off
  • If you will be gone several days, arrange to have the mail and papers stopped or picked up. Click here for more information on how to hold mail or redirect a package. Half of all home burglaries occur during the day when alert neighbors could spot and report the thieves.
  • Call the Columbia Police Department’s front desk at 803-545-3500 and place your residence on property watch so that police may look after it while you are away.

Watch your neighbor’s back!

Vandals look for opportunity, including signs of vacancy.  If you are traveling during the upcoming weeks, make sure you have someone pick up your mail, newspaper, and other delivered items daily.  If you've ordered something, consider using the Fedex or UPS alternate delivery features to hold the package or send it elsewhere. Look out for each other. It's the very best protection. Or get a big dog. For more tips, visit our security page.

Meet your Forest Hills officers, area representatives & committee leaders

If you have questions about various aspects of the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association officers and area representatives click here. Your committee leaders are listed here.

Great resource for pet owners!

If you have lost or found a pet, a great place to report this is on the Chasing the Tails Pet Patrol Facebook page. They have great success in reuniting pets and owners.