Crime Prevention Self-Test

This is a self-test designed to help you assess your risks of experiencing property crimes at your home. Answer "Yes" or "No" to the questions; if the question does not apply, skip it. When you are finished, click the 'compute' button for your test results.This self assessment test was drawn from various sources on and off-line, and adapted for use in this area. It is designed to estimate approximate risk levels, not predict the exact level of security at your home.

1. Are your outside doors at least 3/4 inches thick, made of solid core wood or metal constuction?
Yes
No

2. Are your doors equipped with deadbolt locks?
Yes
No

3. Can any of your door locks be reached (40 inches from the lock) by breaking out a glass pane, or a thin panel of light wood?
Yes
No

4. Do you have a wide-angle viewer on all outside doors so that you can identify persons coming to your door?
Yes
No

5. Are your exterior doors equipped with heavy-duty strike plates, securely mounted to the frame with screws long enough to reach through the frame into the wall?
Yes
No

6. Can all the doors of your house (basement, porch, etc.) be securely locked?
Yes
No

7. Do your basement doors have locks that allow you to isolate that part from the rest of the house?
Yes
No

8. Are all locks in good repair?
Yes
No

9. Do you know everyone who has a key to your house?
Yes
No

10. Did you get all the keys from the previous owners/renters, or did you change the locks?
Yes
No

11. Are your window locks properly and securely mounted?
Yes
No

12. Do you always keep your windows locked when they are shut?
Yes
No

13. Do you use locks that allow you to lock a window when it is partially open?
Yes
No

14. Are you always as careful about locking basement windows as you are in locking windows on the main floor?
Yes
No

15. Have you made it difficult for burglars to gain entry into your home by locking up ladders and avoiding the use of trellises that can be used as a ladder?
Yes
No

16. Do you lock your garage at night?
Yes
No

17. Do you lock your garage when away from home?
Yes
No

18. Do you have good, secure locks on all of your garage doors and windows?
Yes
No

19. Do you always lock your car and remove the keys even when it is parked in your garage or driveway?
Yes
No

20. Do you stop all deliveries or arrange to have neighbors pick up newspapers, mail or packages when you are out of town?
Yes
No

21. When going out of town, do you notify a neighbor of when you are leaving and when you will return home?
Yes
No

22. Do you contact the police or sheriff's department and arrange for extra parols of your home when you are out of town?
Yes
No

23. When you are away, do you leave some shades up, or leave some lights on timers, so your house doesn't appear deserted?
Yes
No

24. When you are on vacation, do you arrange to have your lawn mowed, your garden kept in shape, and your residence maintained?
Yes
No

25. Do you and your family plan ahead so you don't need to hide a door key under a doormat or near your door?
Yes
No

26. Do you keep as much of your cash as possible in the bank?
Yes
No

27. Do you keep a list of your valuable property?
Yes
No

28. Do you keep a list of the serial numbers of your property, or engrave valuable property with an identifying number?
Yes
No

29. Do you keep descriptions of your valuable property?
Yes
No

30. Have you and your family discussed what you would do if you discovered a burglar breaking into your home?
Yes
No

31. Have you told your family to leave your house undisturbed and to call the police immediately if they discover your home has been burglarized?
Yes
No

32. Do you know the numbers to your police or sheriff's department, or do you have them posted near your phone for easy access?
Yes
No

33. Do you have adequate outdoor lighting at your home?
Yes
No

34. Do you have an alarm system at your home?
Yes
No

35. Do you sometimes leave bicycles, lawnmowers or other property unattended and unsecured in your yard?
Yes
No

36. Do you keep shrubbery and foliage trimmed away from doors and windows?
Yes
No

37. Are areas of your yard, or windows/entrances to your home hidden from the street by fences or foliage?
Yes
No

38. Have any other homes in your immediate neighborhood been burglarized, or have items been stolen from neighbor's yards, or vehicles in the past six months?
Yes
No

39. Do you know all of your neighbors?
Yes
No

40. In your neighborhood, is there a lot of foot or vehicle traffic by persons you do not know or recognize?
Yes
No

If your score is 20 or less, you are at low risk for property crimes at your home.

If your score is between 20 and 50, you are at moderate risk for property crime at your home.

If your score is above 50, you are at high risk of experiencing property crime at your home.