WHITBY, FREE PRESS REAL ESTATE SECTION simpe prcautions to proteet yu home Thisa ekile iw provided b>, local reaftors imid the Ontano Real Est ate Asrsocation (ORE.A) for thse benefit of conaumers in -thse mal estate market. If you're like most people, you worryabout protectingyorhome mnst posbebreak-s. Short OM - a moat yon may have te-yed with the idea of buying a large guard dog or a secnrity systeni. But before you rush off te buy the latest gadgets and gizmos, you should know that there are many. simple and relatively inexpensive precautions you can. take to 'fortify your 'castle." Policy authorities reconinend that the best approach to take ini protecting your home and valuables is prevention. Start with ail exterior entrances to' your home. Doors with keyholes in the knob are flot reliable -because they can be forced open with littie effort. Instead, ail exterior doors should Iq p~FE merald Point A Rare RentaiOpportuni*y In A Luxuriou8 Lifesrtyle For 1990 HWY. 401 & BROOK ROAD (Minutes from Pickering Town Centre) 1 Bedroom & Den, 1,009 sq. ft. & up 2 Bedroom Suites, 1,074 sq. ft. & up IN-SUITS FEATURES, including: *5 appliances, including in-suite laundry facilities *Solarium *Wall to wall quality broadloom *Individually controlled heating/air conditioning LIFESTYLE AMNITIES, includinC. " Indoor pool, whirlpool sauna, squash " Resident and visitors parking " Guest suites " Card aecess entry system " Easy access to Go.transit' " Party room MODEL SUIES NOW OPEN FOR APPOINTMENT CALL: I686-6860 OR 229-9800 EXT 844 RENTAL CENTRE HOURS: Monday to Friday - 12 noon to 9 pm Saturday and Sunday - 10 arn to 6 pm tro East Hwy 2 L? CnventionCentre 0 45 Pikeng Parkway z Hwy 401 Miuts OP OF WESTNEY 2 West ney Rd. North, Town of Ajax MntstosGO Train & Pickering Town Centre NOW RENTING 20& 3Bedroom units & Penthouse Suites nFROM $995/month FEATURES INCLUDE: .5 appliances including ensuite, Iaundry facilities -Wall to walI carpeting Individually controlled heating and air conditioning Outdoor pool eWhirlpool, saunas and exercise room FOR APPOINTIMENT 428-7162'"ÉBNý ASKABOUT oUR ATTRACTIVE MOVE-NBOU have sturdy, one-inch deadbolt locks. While these types.of locks are usnally more expansive, they. are weil worth the investment. Basement, windows atre also a favored pint of entry o burglars. You can deter them by installing bars or retractable security grills on these windows, with removable padlocks -- that way you can -sill dlean these windows"or open them in case of an emergency. Shatter-resistant storm windows are another alternative for the basement.- It"important te fortify windows on the main floor of your house as well. Thieves can easily lift sliding. glass windows and doors ont of their tracks, but you can make them more secure b~y installing wooden dowels along the bottom traccs, and self-tapping screws in the upper tracks. Double-hnng sash windows can aise be secured b drhilling small holes on ea slightdownward angle through the inside window frame, halfway te the outaide frame. A nail or pin shonld be placed in the hole te secure the window, making it difficult for burglars te force the window up, but yon can remove these nais or pins yourself if yon want te open the window whenure home. When securing windows, it is aise important te make sure ail window unit air conditioners are properly installed. The sanie methods yon used te secure the main floor of your home also apply te the upper storeys. Burglar-proof your windows and any bacony doors. Secure Your Valuables Once you've fortified ail windows and door, pmake sure yon secure ýail your valuables. According te polie authorit!es, the master bedroomn is usuaily the. primge target area of any home; thates where mSt people keep a large portion of their valuables -- snch as jewelry, cash, cameras, coins, -stamps and se cone. Ites a goidea to eep things of value ont of sight and store them in les conspicuons places like a spare room. Small valuables 'cani be stored in a safety deposit box at your local bank. Other. prime target areas of your home are the living room, fianuly room or den. These rooms usually contain televisions, stereos, video cassette recorders, home computers and other bidgh tech" equipment. While it's difficult te conceal these types of items, itfs a good idea te try and make them less conspictious wheirever possible. Preventive Measures Outdoors Once you7ve secnred the windows, doors and interior of your home, it's time te think about ontdoor security. Exterior lightin, for example, can be very effective in detemrng burglars, and yon may want te consider leaving the lighits on ontside yOur front and back doors tro 0hut the night -- even when youre at home. Ites aise important te majoe your yard and garden devoid of potential hiding places for burglars. Bushes and sbrubsfo r intnce, shonld be kept wel-trimmed and clear of entrances and windows. AIse try te avoid leaving garden teols or sports equipmnent lying around .your bcyadwhen --you?e not around; th.ey could be used to pry or break windows or even cult through screens.-Th same rule a lies tc ladders or picnie benches which can be propped up agixit the house and used to gain access through open, upper-story windows. Keep yolur garalge and traeshedlýcked a werll -- power tos and garden tools can be easily stolen. Dount Foeget the Driveway You can also use your driveway te, send out a "someBbody's home" signal while you're away. Leave a second car in your driveway instead of parking it in the garage, or ask a neighbor or relatives te park a second car there.. If you take a winter vacation, make arrangements te keep both the driveway and sidewalk shovelled. Piles of 'mail and newspapers aronnd a* front door can make your home a prime target for thieves, se make sure you cancel your mai and newspaper delivery uýntlyour return -- or have it redie t t you. You may even want te, have a neighbor or relative retrieve these items fromn your mailbox for you. House sitters are also available for hire and can be found in the yeilow pages of your phone book. &nthe summer, make sure your lawn is cnt on a regular basis while you're away and get someone te water yonr flowers, se it looks like you're at home. Neighbors Your neighbors provide a -n excelent lime of defence aanet potential break-mns. <et te know the_ people who live. around you.