Frequently Asked Questions

All items that might be attractive to a thief, such as radios, televisions, camera equipment, stereos, small appliances, tools, and sports equipment, should be marked.

Small or very valuable items such as jewelry or antiques can be either engraved by a jeweler or photographed for identification purposes.

To mark your property, you can go to the Public Library and borrow an engraver for three days using your library card. It's important to return the engraver within the loan agreement time so others can use it.

You can also purchase an inexpensive engraving tool at hardware, department or variety stores.

When engraving, hold the tool straight up and down. The engraving tool can be adjusted for surface differences. Practice using the engraving tool before you mark your property.

Make a list of the engraved items including the make, model, size, color, and serial number, as applicable. Also, record the exact spots where you have engraved the items.

You should keep this record at home as a reference and for additions. Also, keep a copy in a secure place such as a safety deposit box.