Our Community Services Police Officer Daigle from the Little Elm Police Department suggests that you can start today, by implementing a “Nine O’Clock Safety Routine”. These are all simple items that help deter crime, while protecting people and property.

• Check vehicles to make sure they are locked and the car alarm is on (even if it is in the garage)

• Make sure all valuable items are taken out of your vehicle(s) or hidden from sight

• Check the windows and doors of your home to make sure they are locked and secured (even upstairs)

• Turn on your outside lights if they don’t come on at dusk (or you don’t leave them on all day) and check to see if they are all working properly and illuminating their intended areas

• Check your backyard gate to make sure it is locked

• Confirm that the garage door is closed

• Arm your alarm for the evening - Make sure your alarm has the “armed and away” and “armed and home” functions to prevent falsely alarming it with indoor motion detectors

• Include and educate all members of the household (eg have your child check to see if he can open the car door while supervised, ask your spouse to check all doors and windows, etc) as many hands make light work and safety should be a habit

We should all view safety and security as a proactive measure instead of a reactive one. It is always better to deter someone from breaking a law than enforce it. By slightly altering our routines, we will gradually create new habits while reinforcing the good ones that are already in place.

Is there something additional that your household does to augment the routine in addition to the items above that you would like to share in the comments below?