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 Ohio, we’ve put together this list of local and statewide resources to make sure you know where to turn before the unexpected happens.
Ohio Home Security and Safety Resources
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Crime resources
Crime prevention
Ohio Crime Prevention Association
Central Ohio Crime Stoppers
Ohio Department of Public Safety
Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services
City crime prevention
Office of Crime Prevention
Cleveland Metroparks
Miami Valley Crime Stoppers
Tri-State Crime Stoppers
Division of Fire: City of Columbus
Neighborhood watch
City of Cleveland: Division of Police
Hereford-Highland Area Block Watch
Safety Council of Southwestern Ohio
Disaster resources
Emergency preparedness
Ohio Emergency Management Agency
Ohio Disaster Relief Ministries
Emergency Management Assoc. of Ohio
The Center for Health Affairs
Fire safety
State Fire Marshal: Fire Prevention Bureau
Division of Fire, Columbus OH
Fire Safety Services, Inc.
Northeastern Ohio Fire Prevention Assoc.
General safety resources
General safety
Northeast Ohio Safety Council
Safety Council of Northwest Ohio
Safety Resources Company of Ohio
Ohio Bicycle Federation
Child abuse prevention
Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center
Care House: Child Advocacy Center
Council on Child Abuse of Southern Ohio
Family Defense Fund of Ohio
Guardians Advocating Child Safety and Protection
Domestic violence
Ohio Legal Services
Ohio Domestic Violence Network
Domestic Violence Project Inc.
Choices for Victims of Domestic Violence
Action Ohio Coalition for Battered Women
Crime stats in Ohio
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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