|
|
|
In years past, most homes in rural Kansas were never locked. In fact, if there was a key around the house, few family members knew about it.
After living in a larger community for several years, I’d automatically lock my car without thinking whenever I used to visit my parents in rural Sheridan County.
The first few times my dad saw me do this he scolded me like I was still his boy of 12.
“What in the world are you doing?” Dad would ask. “Who in the devil do you think is going to drive away with that car of yours out here?”
Unfortunately, times change. Like their city cousins, farmers and rural homes are increasingly being burglarized.
In farm thefts and vandalism, mailboxes head the list as favorite targets of vandals and thieves. Cars, windows and signs are also frequently damaged or destroyed.
As in town and cities, stereos, televisions, computers, cameras, appliances and small objects such as jewelry, hand tools and guns are stolen in rural home burglaries. These items are readily converted to cash, and represent most sought after burglary items.
Farm machinery, automobiles and livestock aren’t beyond the scope of thieves in rural Kansas today.
The following suggestions may help prevent theft in your home, whether rural or urban.
*Make a complete security check of your home.
*Always maintain a lived-in look by keeping the lawn trimmed, leaves raked and the snow shoveled.
*Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed. Untrimmed shrubs make good hiding places for burglars.
*If the neighbors can see the back of your house, you’ll enjoy less privacy but be safer.
*Keep doors and entryways well lighted. Replace burned out bulbs immediately. Burglars do not like lights.
*Whether you are at home or away, keep garage doors closed and locked.
*Check the locks on all doors. Replace inexpensive locks with the dead-bolt type.
*When you move into a house have the lock tumblers changed by a locksmith.
*Check all windows to make sure they are locked.
*Secure all basement windows. In older homes, basement windows are easily forced.
*Place exterior lights in a strategic spot outside the house.
*Interior lighting is also important. Keep the living room and bathroom light
on all the time whether you are home or not. Inexpensive timers are useful for turning various lights on or off.
*Install a wide-angle viewer in your door to allow you to recognize all visitors.
*Mark all your possessions with an engraving or invisible marking pen.
*Whenever you’re going on a trip for more than a day or two, let your neighbors know about your plans. They’ll be happy to swing by your home a couple times a day and they’ll also know you’re not there and call the police if they believe things aren’t on the up and up.
Remember, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Don’t be any easy target for thieves and burglars on your home, farm or ranch. Follow these time-tested methods for avoiding potential heartache.
John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. Born and raised on a diversified farm in northwestern Kansas, his writing reflects a lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion.
In years past, most homes in rural Kansas were never locked. In fact, if there was a key around the house, few family members knew about it.
After living in a larger community for several years, I’d automatically lock my car without thinking whenever I used to visit my parents in rural Sheridan County.
The first few times my dad saw me do this he scolded me like I was still his boy of 12.
“What in the world are you doing?” Dad would ask. “Who in the devil do you think is going to drive away with that car of yours out here?”
Unfortunately, times change. Like their city cousins, farmers and rural homes are increasingly being burglarized.
In farm thefts and vandalism, mailboxes head the list as favorite targets of vandals and thieves. Cars, windows and signs are also frequently damaged or destroyed.
As in town and cities, stereos, televisions, computers, cameras, appliances and small objects such as jewelry, hand tools and guns are stolen in rural home burglaries. These items are readily converted to cash, and represent most sought after burglary items.
Farm machinery, automobiles and livestock aren’t beyond the scope of thieves in rural Kansas today.
The following suggestions may help prevent theft in your home, whether rural or urban.
*Make a complete security check of your home.
*Always maintain a lived-in look by keeping the lawn trimmed, leaves raked and the snow shoveled.
*Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed. Untrimmed shrubs make good hiding places for burglars.
*If the neighbors can see the back of your house, you’ll enjoy less privacy but be safer.
*Keep doors and entryways well lighted. Replace burned out bulbs immediately. Burglars do not like lights.
*Whether you are at home or away, keep garage doors closed and locked.
*Check the locks on all doors. Replace inexpensive locks with the dead-bolt type.
*When you move into a house have the lock tumblers changed by a locksmith.
*Check all windows to make sure they are locked.
*Secure all basement windows. In older homes, basement windows are easily forced.
*Place exterior lights in a strategic spot outside the house.
*Interior lighting is also important. Keep the living room and bathroom light
on all the time whether you are home or not. Inexpensive timers are useful for turning various lights on or off.
*Install a wide-angle viewer in your door to allow you to recognize all visitors.
*Mark all your possessions with an engraving or invisible marking pen.
*Whenever you’re going on a trip for more than a day or two, let your neighbors know about your plans. They’ll be happy to swing by your home a couple times a day and they’ll also know you’re not there and call the police if they believe things aren’t on the up and up.
Remember, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Don’t be any easy target for thieves and burglars on your home, farm or ranch. Follow these time-tested methods for avoiding potential heartache.
John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. Born and raised on a diversified farm in northwestern Kansas, his writing reflects a lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion.
