North Carolina Home Security and Safety Resources

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 North Carolina, we’ve put together this list of local and statewide resources to make sure you know where to turn before the unexpected happens.

NC crime prevention

North Carolina Department of Public Safety
North Carolina Crime Stoppers Association
North Carolina Department of Justice – Crime

City crime prevention

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Raleigh Police Department – Crime Prevention
Winston-Salem Police Department
Greensboro Police Department – Crime Prevention Tips for Seniors

Neighborhood watch

Durham Police Department – Crime Prevention Residential Programs
Greensboro Police Department – Community Watch
Winston-Salem Police Department – Neighborhood Watch

Emergency preparedness

Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance: North Carolina
North Carolina Commission and Volunteerism Community Service
North Carolina Emergency Managers Association 
Ready North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Fire safety

NC Department of Insurance
NC State Marshal: Fire Prevention
NC Fire Marshal’s Association
NC Forest Service

Alarm associations

North Carolina Electronic Security Association

General safety

North Carolina Wild Life
North Carolina Department of Transportation
North Carolina School Bus Safety
Safe Kids North Carolina
North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program

Child abuse prevention

Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina 
SAFEchild
Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse of North Carolina, Inc
Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Carolina

Domestic violence

North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence
North Carolina Women’s Shelters
NC Council for Women
North Carolina Department of Justice – Domestic Violence
Safe Alliance – Clyde and Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter

See the Safest Cities in North Carolina report for more information on crime statistics across the state.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

• The State of Safety in the United States
• 20 Things You’ll Need for Your First Home
• How to Choose a Security System
• The Beginner’s Guide to Security Cameras
• Home Safety and Security Checklist