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 Texas, we’ve put together this list of local and statewide resources to make sure you know where to turn before the unexpected happens.
Texas Home Security and Safety Resources
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Crime resources
Crime prevention
Texas Crime Prevention Association
North Texas Crime Prevention Association
Central Texas Crime Prevention Association
Gulf Coast Crime Prevention Association
City crime prevention
Austin Crime Prevention Services
San Antonio Crime Prevention Tips
Neighborhood watch
Disaster resources
Emergency preparedness
Texas Disaster Preparedness Resources
Ready or not? Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Preparedness Resource Center
Fire safety
Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Alarm associations
Texas Burglar and Fire Alarm Association
General safety resources
General safety
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Child abuse prevention
Texas Child Abuse Prevention Center
Domestic violence
Crime stats in Texas
See the Safest Cities in Texas 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. Home security system apps can help with remote activation of your system, smart lighting or smart device control, and live video streaming to your phone, smart TV or smart display.
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 lock your windows at night or when you’re out. Trim bushes lining your home to eliminate hiding places, and invest in motion sensor cameras and 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
Prepare your home for vacation by maintaining a lived-in appearance, stopping the mail and newspapers before you leave, and setting indoor lights on variable timers. Avoid announcing specific vacation plans on social media or making it clear that the house is empty. 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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