Emergencies, crime incidents (like burglaries), and other worrisome events don’t usually come with a lot of warning. That's why we encourage everyone to be proactive about safety and security—at home and in your community. To help you stay safe in Illinois, we’ve put together this list of local and statewide resources to make sure you know where to turn before the unexpected happens.
Illinois Home Security and Safety Resources
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Crime resources
IL Crime Prevention
IL City Crime Prevention
BUILD: Youth Violence Prevention Program
Neighborhood Watch
Disaster resources
Emergency Preparedness
Fire Safety
Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall
City of Chicago Fire Prevention
City of Chicago Fire Safety Tips
Illinois Fire Inspectors Association
Illinois Alarm Associations
General safety resources
General Safety
Illinois Boating Safety Education
Illinois Child Passenger Safety Resources
Attorney General: Safeguard Children
Child Abuse Prevention
Child Abuse Prevention Illinois
Illinois Dept. of Children/Family Services
Domestic Violence
IL Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Crime stats in Illinois
See the Safest Cities in Illinois report for more information on crime statistics across the state.
Top 5 burglary-prevention tips
1. Get a home security system
In the United States, homes without a security system are three times more likely to be burglarized. Burglars want to get in and out with minimum hassle—why risk getting caught by a security system when they could just move onto the next house? Security systems send a message to burglars that your home is not to be trifled with.
2. Keep tabs while you’re away
With the smart home features available today, it’s easy to monitor the happenings in your home whether you’re sitting on your sofa or out running errands. Look into handy features like remote activation of your security system, control of your lighting and appliances, and live video streaming to your phone.
3. Make your home less appealing to thieves
Don’t forget to take care of the obvious. Always lock your doors, and leave a spare key with a friend or neighbor (instead of under a flower pot or doormat). Don’t forget to close your windows at night or when you’re out. Trim bushes lining your home to eliminate hiding places, and invest in outdoor lighting to keep dark spots near your home entrances visible.
4. Make friends with your neighbors
Strengthening the security of your neighborhood can start with getting to know your neighbors. You might find friends who can watch your place when you’re away, look out for a lost pet, help solve package theft mysteries, or aid in an emergency. And you can work together to build safety resources your community needs.
5. Prep your home before vacation
Avoid announcing specific vacation plans on social media or making it clear that the house is empty. To maintain a lived-in appearance, stop the mail and newspapers before you leave, and set indoor lights on variable timers. Let trusted neighbors know you’ll be gone; consider asking them to park their car in your driveway or make footprints in the snow (if it’s winter).
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