Real estate professionals and police on Long Island, N.Y., where there have been a string of burglaries at open houses, offer this advice for homeowners and practitioners concerned about security at these events.
- Before the open house, start at the front door and imagine you're the criminal coming into an open house. What items of value could you quickly and easily put in a pocket? Remove these valuables from the home and put them in a safe deposit box or at a trusted friend or relative's home.
- Examine locks and latches on all doors and windows in case a burglar uses the open house as an opportunity to check out the place in advance.
- If the property is large, have at least two practitioners in the home during the open house, each with cell phones with numbers set to speed-dial 911 or another emergency number.
- Ask visitors to provide identification when they sign in.
- Keep control of the number of people touring simultaneously. If there are more than one or two couples, ask the others to wait outside or in the garage. Or set up appointments in advance.
- Don't allow yourself to be cornered in a room with only one exit.
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