The Reno Fire Department ' s ( RFD ) arson prosecution rate is 17 percent higher than the national average . Despite this impressive statistic , there are steps the public can take to limit opportunities for arson at their homes .  
   May 1–7 is National Arson Awareness Week and the
    Reno Fire Department
    is offering tips to prevent your property from being a target . Motives for arson include crime concealment , curiosity , excitement , fraud and vandalism .  
   Tray Palmer , Fire Marshal for the Reno Fire Department says , “Motivation for arsons vary , but every arsonist seeks out opportunity . The more you take the opportunity away from the arsonist , the probability of that arsonist attacking your property decreases . ”
   The
    Reno Fire Department
    shares what you can do to protect your property from the mind of an arsonist:
   
   
   Install lights , covering all sides of the house . Motion - activated lighting , which is inexpensive , should be placed near the entrances . Interior lights on timers give the illusion of an occupied residence .
   
   
   
   Keep combustibles and flammable plants at least five feet from your home ' s exterior walls . Juniper brush is popular in northern Nevada but very flammable . It looks green from the outside but hides dead and dry vegetation inside . Remove excess vegetation and piles of leaves .  
   
   
   
   Clean around your house and garage , removing unused and unneeded paper , trash , cleaning supplies , partial cans of paint , and other materials that could become kindling and fuel a fire for an arsonist .
   
   
   
   Trim or remove shrubbery that blocks the view of the house from the street . During the growing season , bushes and trees may need to be trimmed frequently .
   
   
   
   Keep doors and windows locked . All external doors should be equipped with deadbolts . A simple locked door could be the deterrent that saves a house from arson . The hardware used to lock windows can sometimes be easily forced open . The best type of window hardware has spring - loaded bolts that insert through the window frame into the wall frame .
   
   
   
   Secure abandoned and vacant homes . This may include adding additional locks or boarding up broken windows or other openings with plywood .  
   
   
   
   Remove abandoned vehicles . Most car fires are started to cover up other criminal activity or simply as an act of vandalism .
   
   
   
   Install burglar and fire alarm systems or surveillance cameras .
   
   More information can be found on the
    National Fire Protection Association website
    .  
   
   

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