Burglary is one of the easiest to prevent, yet one of the most common crimes around. In the U.S., a burglary is committed every fifteen seconds. When we hear about it, we only hear of the stolen property's value, not the emotional scars the thieves left behind. A break-in, even if it occurs without you being there, creates a major impact on your and your family's sense of security and well-being.
There are several things you can do to secure your home. Below are steps on how to keep your family and your home safe.
Five Steps to a Safe Home:
1. Do not advertise that you are away from home. Burglars are on the lookout for unoccupied homes. If you make your house appear occupied when you are away, most thieves will simply pass by it. You can do this by using automatic light timers in your entire house and set them to turn on and off in such a way that it simulates your normal patterns. Find those with a backup battery so the timer will not stop in case of power outage. Using timers with more on-off cycle creates the impression of movement from room to room. The same pattern can also be used to turn TVs and radios on and off. Turn down the volume of your phone ringer so someone outside will not hear it ring and realize no one is around to answer it.
Arrange for your lawn to be cut or snow removed from walkways if you are going away for a long period. Do not stop your mail and newspaper delivery but ask a neighbour to pick them and hold them for you. One more thing, do not leave notes on your door advertising you're away. This just means a "come on in" to burglars.
2. Never leave your doors and windows unlocked and do not hide the key to your house outside where it can easily be located. Use metal doors or solid core secured with fine quality deadbolt locks. Look for doors with ANSI grade 1 rating. They should have horizontal bolt at least one inch long. Shorter bolts will enable burglars to use tools to spread the doorframe and open your door. Consider locks with anti-saw pin that makes it hard to saw through the bolt with a hacksaw and locks that come with anti-drill feature using hardened steel chips inside that will break a drill in case a burglar will try to drill through your lock.
A glass panel or window that is closer than forty-two inches to the lock should be strengthened with an invisible security film so an intruder will not be able to break the glass and reach through to unlock the door. Attach an alarm system to the windows and have locks that operate from the inside. Reinforce your windows by coating them with impact-resistant film.
3. Cut tree limbs that hang over your roof and remove lower branches from trees next to the home. Remove or trim back shrubbery next to your door and windows. Use security lighting to lighten up every door. The main door should be illuminated with a light fixture with two bulbs or with two fixtures.
Use outside lighting with motion detectors in your driveway, yard and other outside areas. If a light comes on when someone comes near, a burglar is unlikely to break into your home. Bear in mind that the side and back of your house offer concealment for a burglar who want to break in. Pay close attention to securing every entrance and avoid installing a tall fire or privacy fence because it offers bigger concealment.
4. Install a Home Security Alarm System. Although this is not a guarantee that thieves will not enter your property, but it will make it more difficult for them by increasing the risk of being seen and caught. If it is obvious that you have your house alarmed, an intruder may opt for an easier target. Consider using glass-break sensors that sets off an alarm at the sound of a glass door or window being broken.
5. The best security for your home comes from knowing your neighbors. Make sure that you meet your neighbors so that you can request them to keep an eye on your property when you are away. Most neighbourhoods have watch program. If yours do not have one, consider to organize one. Many local law enforcement agencies have people available who can assist you organize and plan a watch program to keep not only your possession safe but also your family for that matter.
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