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 Maryland, we’ve put together this list of local and statewide resources to make sure you know where to turn before the unexpected happens.
Maryland Home Security and Safety Resources
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Crime resources
MD Crime Prevention
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention
National Crime Prevention Council
Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland
Maryland Crime Victims’ Resources Center
MD City Crime Prevention
Baltimore: Four Steps to Fighting Crime
Montgomery County Police Department
Neighborhood Watch
Disaster resources
Emergency Preparedness
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware
Fire Safety
Department of Maryland State Police: Office of the Fire Marshal
Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute
Baltimore County Fire Department
Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department
Maryland Alarm Associations
General safety resources
General Safety
Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Maryland Police Training Commission: Firearms Training Center
Maryland Highway Safety Foundation
Maryland Department of Transportation: Office of Traffic and Safety
Child Abuse Prevention
Maryland Department of Human Resources
Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.
Domestic Violence
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Network Against Domestic Violence
Crime stats in Maryland
See the Safest Cities in Maryland 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).