Home Security: Did You Know…
March 29th, 2010 | 
Author: 
Did you know that crimes against property, like burglary and home invasion, happen once every three seconds in the United States? Or that, if you live in a single-family home, your house is twice as likely to be burglarized as a home in an apartment building? Sure, these are just statistics. That is, until you become a part of them. Not only is burglary one of the most common crimes in America, it is also one of the most easily preventable. Don’t let yourself become a statistic; take action now to protect your home security.
When it comes to home security, many people have a blasé attitude towards protecting themselves against intruders, thinking it could never happen to them. But with crimes like burglary and home invasion on the rise, it is happening to more and more people every year. And that is why it is now more important than ever to take the necessary precautions to guard against such dangers, even in neighborhoods and areas that were once considered to be safe.
Did you know that there are things you can do yourself to increase your home security, without even the professional help of a security company or alarm system? For example, having a dog, even a small, essentially harmless one, can help you ward off burglars, since being seen-or heard-is one of the things burglars are most afraid of.
Another thing you can do to improve your home security is to give impression that there is someone home, even when you leave the house. Burglars tend to target empty homes, so if you make it seem like there’s someone inside; they are most likely to choose a different target. When you go to work or leave for vacation, avoid tipping off potential burglars to the fact that you’re out of the house. To do this, try not to get in the habit of doing certain things only when you are home, and vice versa.
For example, leave a radio and some lights on when you’re out, and turn down the volume on your phone, so that potential burglars won’t be able to tell if it rings without being answered. It is also smart to keep things like window treatments and garage doors closed at all times so that it is harder to tell if there are people or cars inside. If open always means “home” and down always means “away,” it will be very easy for a potential burglar to detect a pattern.
Other DIY home security measures include things like changing handle locks and deadbolts on all doors when moving into a new home, keeping the exterior of your home well-lit and void of any bulky shrubbery or tall trees that can give potential intruders places to hide or ways to climb up the side of the house and gain access through the upstairs, and giving a spare key to a trusted neighbor or friend instead of hiding it under the door mat or in some other obvious location on your property where it is easy to find. The key is to pay attention to details and not be careless.
Posted in 
Tags: