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Prevent burglars from making themselves at home
It's easy to avoid thinking about a burglar in your home. Fortunately, according to the FBI, the number of home burglaries decreased last year, but they’re still frequent enough that the Bureau’s "one-burglary-every-15-seconds" estimate still holds true. That means every home is at risk of a burglary or break-in, especially those offering easy entry to thieves through neglected details.
Now I'm not saying you're in danger, nor do I want to put anyone in a 'panic' mode... but I do believe "better safe than sorry". So...... here are some ideas to think about if you want to improve your home security. If installing a top-of-the-line home security system is beyond your budget, don't worry - there are still many cheap home security tricks to do to keep your family and property secure.
Your Lights A well-lit home is much less likely to be broken into, so make sure the exterior of your house is fully illuminated with motion-detector spotlights and other lighting fixtures.
When you’re away from the house for long periods of time, be sure to use timers on interior lights to give the impression of life as usual. Manual and digital timers can be found at your local hardware store or home center for a few dollars.
Your Landscape Tall trees can be accessories to crime when dense branches come close to your home and create pockets of darkness where burglars can hide. Keep trees well-trimmed to avoid giving thugs a place to hide.
Dense shrubs can also create a hideout, so keep hedges low and plantings near your doors and windows neat. It's easy to avoid thinking about a burglar in your home. Fortunately, according to the FBI, the number of home burglaries decreased last year, but they’re still frequent enough that the Bureau’s "one-burglary-every-15-seconds" estimate still holds true. That means every home is at risk of a burglary or break-in, especially those offering easy entry to thieves through neglected details.
Your Doors A door with just a handle lock is an easy mark for a thief armed with finesse and a plastic credit card. Instead, add a good-quality deadbolt at each entry.
The best deadbolts require a key on the outside and incorporate a thumb latch on the inside. Further strengthen every installation by substituting long, heavy-duty screws for those provided by the manufacturer.
No matter which lock you choose, it’s only as strong as the door itself which is generally the weakest around the lock. To make doors more secure, add a decorative door reinforcement plate (starting for as little as about $10) to make this area more secure.
Improve home security at a patio sliding door by adding a bar, which can stop the inside door from sliding open or being pried off if the lock is broken. A sturdy piece of wood strategically placed in the open track can also improve door security.
Always remember, when leaving home for day trips or longer, keep your garage door closed and locked to intruders.
If your view is obstructed at your entry, install a wide-angle (200-degree) peep hole in your front door so that you can easily see who comes knocking.
If your view is obstructed at your entry, install a wide-angle (200-degree) peep hole in your front door so that you can easily see who comes knocking.
Your Keys Never hide spare keys in “secret” places outside your home, smart burglars know where to look.
Be smart about issuing spare keys. Even though you may be careful about who they’re issued to, you can’t control the paths they cross or situations in which your key may be exposed to duplication.
Your Windows Windows can be the weakest link in home security, especially if left open and unattended. Make sure all units are closed and locked before you leave home for even the shortest errand, and add window dressings and shades to discourage prying eyes.
Modern windows include sash locks, but you can improve security by drilling a hole from front to back where the top and bottom windows overlap and installing a long nail in the hole (something a contractor will be able to do for you). If the integrated window lock breaks, the nail will stop the window from sliding open. Security bars on ground-level windows are also an option, but make sure they’re fitted with quick-release mechanisms that allow them to be opened from the inside in an emergency.
Your Inventory Perhaps the most important home security measure of all is to document your home’s contents, particularly the valuables. Get out the video camera and take a thorough tour of your home, and then deliver a copy of the tape and any other helpful documentation to your safe deposit box. If your home security is ever really threatened by a burglary, you’ll have the proof you need to supply to the police and to your homeowner’s insurance company.
This post is a repost from a previous date – the original post has been lost.
