‘Protecting the Home’ Topic of AARP Meeting

SEA ISLE CITY —During a meeting sponsored by Chapter 710 of AARP, Captain Michael Jargowsky of the Sea Isle City Police Department presented a program on keeping the home safe.
Among the tips offered by Jargowsky were: outdoor lighting, strong door locks, new window locks, not nailing windows shut so they can be opened from inside in case of a fire, and keeping bushes trimmed so that potential burglars may not use them for hiding places.
If the property is vacant for the winter, Jargowsky had some additional safety tips: do not leave ladders outdoors, secure entries to garage, close window shades, have mail and newspapers picked up by neighbors or notify post office and newspaper offices to hold delivery, leave entrance keys with a neighbor, do not hide keys outdoors or give keys to service personnel, or leave notes about when you will be home.
Some things that burglars look for are: easy access, low visibility or being able to see something of value through windows. To deter would-be burglars, Jargowsky said to make the house look as though it is occupied by parking a car in the driveway or garage and leaving lights and radios on timers. Jargowsky also suggested leaving the television on when you leave your room at a hotel or motel.
Jargowsky assured the audience that home invasions are not as common in this area as burglaries. He also reminded the audience that it is a city requirement that an address number be visible on the front of a property so police and ambulance personnel can respond quickly.
As part of the program, Mary Romano, a member of the Sea Isle Ambulance Corps, made a presentation on the use of an electronic defib-rillator. The city has provided defibrillators in buildings, including those used by senior citizens, explained Romano, who invited audience members to step forward and practice with the device.
After the presentation, Jargowsky remained to answer individual questions.