Home security is always important. Whether you're gone on vacation or at home asleep, burglaries are always a threat. Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect your home and your family.
Lock your windows. This is the entry point for most home invasions. An unlocked window is an invitation to a burglar, especially if the window is concealed by bushes, trees or a fence. In addition to a lock, consider using a wooden dowel cut to length to brace the window shut. A dowel makes it virtually impossible to force a window open should the lock be jimmied or pried.
Keep your doors locked. Some burglars knock first to see if anyone is home, posing as salesmen, and if no one answers, they begin looking for ways to get in.
Leave a light on when you’re not home. Better yet, set a timer to turn on one or two lights throughout the day and night. The goal is to make it look like someone is home.
Park a car in the driveway where it can be seen. A car is an obvious sign that you might be at home.
Have the newspaper and mail stopped or picked up by a friend if you’re going to be away for a few days. Nothing tells the potential thief that you’re not at home as loudly as a pile of newspapers on the porch.
Ask that same friend to walk through the house. Moving an outside hose around as well as changing the inside curtains and lighting every day gives the impression someone is there.
Install a security system. These range from audible alarms and horns that sound if a window is broken to the technologically advanced camera and sensor systems that may even provide an armed guard to respond to an alarm. Getting caught is the burglar’s worse fear. The louder the alarm siren, the more quickly he’s going to be gone.
A dog can be your home security system’s best friend. Dogs that will defend your home and family are the greatest deterrent to burglars that you can buy.
As a former security consultant i highly recommend having a professional locksmith or a security consultant, inspecting your property and finding it weaknesses.
