FAIRFIELD – As part of National Crime Prevention Month, Chief Christopher Lyddy and the Fairfield Police Department wish to share with residents ways they can keep their home safe from criminals, both in the real world and digitally.
October is National Crime Prevention Month. One of the best ways to take an active part in crime prevention is to become more alert and aware of what is going on around you, including in your home.
“We encourage all of our residents to get to know their neighbors and become friendly with them,” Chief Lyddy said. “A watchful neighbor who is looking out for you as well as themselves can help to ensure that you don’t become a victim of a crime. We also recommend home security systems to help prevent burglary, assault or vandalism.”
Fairfield Police encourage residents to take the following steps, courtesy the National Crime Prevention Council, as a way to combat common home security threats:
- Install solid, easy-to-use locks on your doors and windows, including sliders and garage.
- Use deadbolt locks on all the doors.
- Don’t hide extra keys under the doormats or in planters, etc. Leave an extra set with a neighbor or friend.
- Trim trees and shrubs to eliminate hiding places.
- Keep your home well lit at night, inside and out.
- Don’t allow strangers into your home, even if they are hurt or say they need help. Keep the door locked and call the police for them.
- Watch out for suspicious and unusual behavior in your neighborhood. Get to know your neighbors and their children so you can look out for one another.
- Invest in a house alarm, especially if you have many valuables in your home, live in an isolated area or one with a history of break-ins.
- When you travel or go on vacation, stop mail and newspaper deliveries. A pile of newspapers in the driveway is a clear sign to a thief that you’re away from home.
To review the National Crime Prevention Council’s home security checklist, click here.
For further information regarding home security, visit the Fairfield Police Department’s Home Security Tips webpage.
Cybersecurity Threats
Fairfield Police also encourage residents to review the following home WiFi network security tips, courtesy the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, to ensure their home is not the victim of a cyber attack:
- Update your home network’s software regularly. Regular software updates are one of the most effective steps you can take to improve the overall cybersecurity of your home networks and systems.
- Remove unnecessary services and software. Disable all unnecessary services to reduce the attack surface of your network and devices, including your router.
- Change default log-in passwords and usernames. Most network devices are pre-configured with default administrator passwords to simplify setup. These default credentials are not secure — they may be readily available on the internet, or may even be physically labeled on the device itself.
- Use strong and unique passwords. Choose strong passwords to help secure your devices. Additionally, do not use the same password with multiple accounts.
- Run up-to-date antivirus software. A reputable antivirus software application is an important protective measure against known malicious threats. It can automatically detect, quarantine and remove various types of malware, such as viruses, worms and ransomware.
Residents with concerns regarding problems in their neighborhood can contact the Fairfield Police Department at 203-254-4800.
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