Many homeowners out there do not manage to get complete peace of mind, even after installing a top-notch alarm system. If you are among the concerned homeowners who want to be certain that the bad guy will never make it far enough to trigger the alarm, then here is our top 10 additional measures to take in the process of securing your home.
1. An unlocked door is the most common point of entry
The idea of friendly and safe neighborhoods where everyone can leave their doors unlocked at night is just an illusion nowadays, folks. Believe it or not, most burglaries happen because homeowners forget to lock their doors. It’s like they are practically inviting the thieves in!
Therefore, if you want to feel safe during the night or while you are away on vacation, we strongly suggest that you install strong door frames and that you back your current locks up with deadbolts. In case you have a sliding glass back door – by far the most preferred burglar entry method – then installing a glass-break sensor can help scare intruders away. Lastly, do not forget to lock your garage door.
2. Don’t leave your windows opened while sleeping or when you are away
In case you haven’t upgraded your windows for some time now, then it is high time to perform this operation. The second favorite intruder entry points are unlocked windows. Granted, during hot summer nights the air inside the house might be suffocating and your only cooling solution is to open up a window. In this circumstance, the best approach is to install windows with locking mechanisms that you can keep slightly cracked. If you must leave the basement window opened, then perhaps it is a good idea to install bars and alarm sensors to keep thieves away.
3. The best places to hide your keys
If you think that the fake flower pot or rock near the door is the best location for your home’s backup key, think again. In other words, we strongly urge you to avoid hiding your keys in the commonly utilized locations which everyone knows about. It is advisable that you discuss more details regarding this matter with your home security system provider.
As a rule of thumb, NEVER put an address on the keys to your home. In today’s world very few people are so good-willing to return the keys and, even though the person who finds them is not a burglar, there is always a chance he will sell/give them to an unscrupulous individual.
4. Install motion activated exterior lights
Because housebreakers rely heavily on not being seen, having motion activated exterior lights on the sides and back of your home can be a high deterrent element. Moreover, it does not hurt to install lighting fixtures with timers inside the home, especially if you have to travel a lot.
5. Be a good neighbor
You won’t believe the benefits you can enjoy just by being friends with your neighbors. In the eventuality that you are away or are a heavy sleeper, then they will be more likely to call the authorities and report a suspicious activity. Also, let’s not forget the neighborhood watch patrol.
6. Make your lawn and front yard look loved and lived-in
Generally speaking, the simplest way to realize if a person is away is by checking out his mail and lawn. Consequentially, if you need to be away for a few weeks then you should cancel your subscriptions or ask one of your friends to pick them up. Furthermore, do not ever leave a note on your front door revealing your whereabouts.
7. Dogs are man’s best friend
The 2 basic elements of a successful burglary comprise of not been seen and not making noise. While the invisibility issue can be solved with motion activated lights, the noise part can be easily addressed by getting a dog. On a side note, the bigger the dog, the scarier it will be.
8. Learn to think like an intruder
The best way to learn how to think like an intruder is to call your friends over and play a simple game: find ingenious ways to enter your house.
9. Putting a sign with the alarm company’s name is not free advertisement
Working with a reputable alarm company and putting on a sign with their name will definitely make burglars think twice before entering your property.
10. Get a wireless and interactive alarm system
Getting a suitable alarm system that addresses your needs is a must if you want to be protected.
Photo 1 & Photo 2 courtesy of Flickr
This guest post is written on behalf of Tank Security which is a provider that advocates the importance of home security and the benefits that safes in Australia can bring.
