Home Security Audit

Self Audit Instructions: The instructions, located below, will assist you in completing a security self-audit of your home.

At the end of the self-audit you may assess your risk status by focusing on the “No” answers indicated on your completed form.  Please consider making changes to the areas of concern on your self-audit.

This guide does not assure that you will not be the victim of crime, however, the greater attention you pay to the security of your home, the better your security environment will be.

  Six simple steps to conduct the security self-audit:

1. Have two people complete the form together.  Two different perspectives will provide beneficial information.
2. Begin by going to the end of your block and then walk towards your home.
3. Answer the questions to describe the Landscape Design of your residence.
4. Answer the questions to describe the Exterior Elements of your residence.
5. Answer the questions to describe the Interior Elements of your residence. 
6. Conduct the self-audit during day time hours and night time hours. 

A careful inspection can indicate features which would make entry either easy or difficult for a prospective criminal.  Chances are good that your home security can be improved.

Your focus should be on entry points in your residence, and to determine what steps can reduce vulnerability.

A variety of security modifications can be simple, inexpensive and very effective.

Open Home Security Self Audit Form

• Consider purchasing a "diversion safe", which is a container that looks like a routine household product, but is designed to hold valuables discreetly.  These can be loaded and placed in routine locations to keep small valuables hidden in plain view.
• Install flat head screws in the upper channel and lay a length of wood, such as a hockey stick shaft, in the lower channel of a sliding glass door.  This prevents the door from being lifted out or opened from the outside.
• Drop into any Waterloo Regional Police Service Patrol Division and borrow an electric pencil. It can be used to inscribe a driver's licence number onto your larger valuable items. This is an easily traceable number that police can query if your property is found.
• Never give unknown callers information about you or your property.
• Make sure you lock garden sheds or large containers on your property to prevent theft and access to tools that can be used to break into your home.

More Information:

Please visit the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Home Security Audit Guide and the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario for general security tips.