Oahu residents and businesses lost more than $22 million to burglars in 2009, with most of the crimes occurring in homes, according to the Honolulu Police Department.

Of the nearly 6,000 break-ins last year, three-quarters involved residences, police said.

Jalousie windows, common in older structures, are among the most common ways for burglars to enter a home, police said. Thieves can easily gain entry by removing three or four of the glass panes from their frames. HPD’s crime prevention experts advise using silicon glue or epoxy to seal jalousie panes to their frames. Windows should be closed tightly when no one is home, and at night, if ventilation is needed, only the top set of jalousies should be opened.

HPD Security Tips

Here are some other HPD tips to keep burglars out:

» Install an alarm system. Obtain several estimates from reliable alarm companies to find a system that fits your needs and budget.
» Exterior doors should be made of solid-core wood or metal with interior door hinges and nonremovable pins.
» Install deadbolt locks with 3-inch screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame and a deadbolt extending at least 1 inch into the door frame. If you use a double deadbolt, have a key readily available in the event of an emergency.
» Never open the door for strangers. If you don’t have a window near the front door, install a peephole.
» Install a wood bar or anti-lift plate into the upper track of sliding doors to prevent them from being lifted off the tracks.
» Keep trees and shrubs trimmed low or away from doors and windows to allow neighbors to see your windows.
» Design your wall or fence to allow the exterior areas of your home to be visible. While a wall can provide privacy, it can also provide concealment for an intruder.
» Put a "beware of dog" sign up even if you don’t have a dog. Most intruders will avoid a house with a barking dog.
» Make an inventory of your property by documenting the make, model and serial numbers of your valuable tools and electronics. Use an engraver’s tool to mark items with your name or other identifying symbols.