Home Security Tips


Follow the home security tips below to see if you miss out on any of the precautions that you need to take. The majority of burglaries are committed during the day when most people are at work or at school, so that the burglar does not bump into anyone.
Home targeted for burglaries are usually marked and monitored for days before any action is taken. They will monitor for the time of the day when the house is empty. So watch out for people wandering around your home.

But beware of opportunity thief that will strike when an opportunity present itself like unlocked doors. Around 20 - 30 percent of break-ins occur through open doors and windows and they don't even have to use force. Most burglars are looking for things that are small, expensive and can be easily carried out of your house.

Look at your home through burglar's eyes and ask yourself this:
How would you get into your house if you were to lose your keys?
If you can find a way to get in, so can a burglar.
Most of the times, the simplest and cheapest precautions can make a lot of difference. Below are some of the most common home security tips that will help you ensure a better security for your home.

  • - Back door and garage door are the easiest to get into and the most common tools for entry are credit card, pliers and a screwdriver. Some just use the "kick in the door" method. It is often successful because strike plates are usually installed with half-inch screws instead of 3-inch screws or the dead bolt throw is not an inch long.
     
  • - Sliding doors are secured by latches not locks and are easily broken into as the aluminum latches can become worn after some time and can be easily pried to lift the latch. The sliding door can also lifted out of its track. A few simple methods can be used to prevent the sliding from being used as a point of entry. Wood or metal block can be used to keep the door from being pried open. Keeping the door rollers adjusted and in good condition plus the installation of a pin that extends through both the sliding and the fixed portion of the door will keep a burglar from lifting the door out of the frame.
     
  • - Sliding window also poses the same risk as sliding door. Window can also be prevented from being lifted out of its track by installing screws into the upper track of the movable glass panel.
     
  • - Keep your valuables away from being seen easily from the outside of your house. This will only attract burglars. It's not a good idea to place small and expensive valuables like jewelries, purse and fancy electronics near windows. These items could be easily snatched and carried away.
     
  • - If security bars or window grills are used as a second line of defense if windows are broken, make sure it's not permanently sealed. It must have at least a portion that can be opened like a window so that it can serve as an escape route in case of fire.
     
  • - Remember to keep all possible access to your house locked. If windows are locked with locks, remember to keep the keys near the windows and can be  easily seen and reachable from the INSIDE of the house and at the same time, it must not be easily seen or reachable from the outside of the house. This is because locked windows are an alternative escape route in case of emergency. Locked windows are meant to block intruders and not a death trap to the owner.
     
  • - Plant rosebushes or cactus in front of windows. It makes even getting close to such windows an unappealing prospect. One of the most common way of breaking in is through windows as a burglars can work on such windows easily but doing it while standing in the middle of a thorn bush is not a pleasant experience.
     
  • - Coat safety-coating on the most vulnerable windows. Safety coat is an adhesive plastic sheeting that makes breaking windows difficult. Instead of being broken with just a pop, a burglar will have a hard time breaking the glass and will stop if it’s taking too long or even unbreakable. It can be quite expensive but it does provide serious burglar protection.
     
  • - Do not leave keys under the mat. It's a common practice that will only invite troubles. Burglars know about all these commonly used hiding places.
     
  • - Do not leave house keys in the car. If a burglar gain access to your car, he will gain access to your house too.
     
  • - Do not stick or engrave anything on your keys that can match that set of keys to your house. If you lose your keys and if somehow it falls onto the wrong hand, that person will know where your house is and will have easy access to your home.
     
  • - A barking dog, whether inside the house or in the yard is proven as the best deterrent to burglars.  It doesn't have to be a godzilla-sized dog, even a smaller yappy dog serves as an early warning system. Even if barking does not deter the burglar, a bite will. And there is no such thing as a stranger intimidating a dog into silence. The truth is a dog, even a small one, inside a house is not something a burglar wants to deal with. Getting bit is not fun.
     
  • - Make sure security system is activated. It's only useful if it's activated. Test it regularly to make sure it's in good working condition. Imagine your belongings gone when you reach home and then to find out that the alarm didn't go off because it's spoilt.
     
  • - Never put documents containing important information like personal identification numbers into thrash unshredded. It can provide another way for thief to steal your belongings other than breaking into your house. Electronic theft is on the rise now that more and more people are using the internet to do transactions and this is an easy step that can be taken to prevent identity theft.
     
  • - Use light timers. It's inexpensive and can be found everywhere. They should be used on a daily basis and not just when you’re away. For best effect, use light-timers near the front and back windows. It will simulate occupancy.
     
  • - Secure your garage. Garage provides an access to the rest of the house and since it's likely to be unoccupied during the night, it's a favorite target for thieves. Even if the thieves do not plan to enter the house, there are other valuables that they can choose from like your car, bicycle and tools.

If you return home and find that your house has been burglarized, don't touch or move anything. Leave the house immediately and call the police as the burglar could still be inside the house. Do not try to be a hero and try to apprehend the burglar as the burglar may be carrying a weapon.



 


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Home security tips for apartments and condominiums

Home security tips to keeping your home secure while on vacation

Buying a home security system

 

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The goal of this website is to help anyone who is concerned about their home and family's safety. We provide guides on how to make your home more secure; Information, tips and home security product recommendation to help you get started. Do check out the Recently Added section for the latest tips and information on home security.

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