1. Always make it look like you're home. Robbers these days are targeting vacant homes and looking for valuable to steal. They are even out there stealing copper from home piping and making tons of money! When you are away on vacation or going to be away for a few days, always use timers on your appliances and set them according to your regular schedule. If you can, leave a friend's or relative's car in the driveway or your parking space in your complex. Also, have your neighbors grab your newspapers and mail while you are away.
2. Create an unpredictable schedule. Robbers will observe your daily routine. If they notice that you are reaching under a mat for a spare key or behind that bush to the right of your doorway, then they will have a straight shot into your home. Some days leave work earlier or come home at unexpected time of day to throw them off.
3. Lock it up! Be sure to double check all locks and windows. It is astonishing to hear just how many home break-in occur when the homeowner has left a door or window unlocked. Get in the habit of checking all locks before you leave the house or go to sleep.
Since we are all just humans and are prone to error, enlist the help of professionals. Contact a home security company and get that extra protection! Look into indoor and outdoor sirens, key fob setting and deactivation, and surveillance cameras.
Here is a list of things to check for and precautions to take around your home.
Home Security Checklist:
Doors, Windows, and Locks:
- Get a contractor to check the wood used to support your lock system in the front doorway. The detective told us that home builders will commonly use a lightweight type of wood composed of 5 1-foot strips pieced together by wood glue. That doesn't sound very sturdy! Get them to install 5/4 dead wood the entire length of your doorway. Very similar to a 2x4 but cut to fit in your space.
- Use a security bar. This product is very effective. I have used the Door Alarm Home Security Bar by Winston Brands
and they will keep any unwanted visitors from coming in through your doors.
- Use window locks. Especially when you are away, use Metal Window Security Clamps to seal your windows tightly so that they cannot be opened.
- Use outlet timers on your lamps. Place your lamps near windows to signal that there is activity in your home. Even your neighbors will notice if your home is darker than usual.
- Use flood lights in the front and back of your home. This is also a great way to ward off bad guys. More importantly, use motion detected lights. You'll notice when there is movement outside of your home.
- Make sure all porch and deck lights are working properly. Apartment home owners and renters --- notify your landlord immediately when the lights are not working near your space. Your safety is on the line!
Sliding Doors:
- Is your sliding door on properly? I was completely shocked when the detective told us our sliding glass door was on backwards! We checked our neighbor's house, and there's was the exact same way. The sliding door slides from the outside! When we went outside, it was so easy to yank and maneuver the door off the track. Please, please, please check to make sure your sliding door slides from the inside! If not, install a pin that extends through the sliding glass door to the fixed door when not in use.
- Place decals on your doors signifying some type of protective system such as an alarm, dog alert, neighborhood watch, etc.
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| The statistics are daunting! It's always a good idea to know the facts. Source |
I encourage you, protect yourself now before something happens! It is always best to be prepared.
Be safe!
I love how you share this too! Thank you so much for sharing! =)
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