Considerations for Securing Your Home
Home Security topics are important to address because burglaries happen on a regular basis due to neglect from homeowners and renters. To prevent break-ins, people have to become familiar with ways on protecting their homes and be aware of the tips on how to deal and report a crime to the police if they get in such a situation.
We will cover different tips on preventing property crime. By controlling access, providing visibility, & maintaining your property, you are not only protecting your belongings and home, but also yourself and your family.
Unfortunately, burglaries are not the only things that pose danger to a home. Properties are also subject to fires. More often than not, they are caused by cooking or plain neglect and lack of responsibility.
Taking active measures to keep your home safe from fires is important, as is having emergency contact(s) available in the event something unfortunate occurs.
This guide is designed to provide you with knowledge and tips on how you can enhance the security of your home and property. Please comment your thoughts in the comments section at the end of this post. We would love to hear from you!
First lets start understanding the mind of a Burglar....
Let's a take a look at how these thieves minds work...
Time, sound, and visibility are the three main factors that need to be considered when trying to prevent theft from a home. Some questions you might want to ask yourself include:
- Are my doors locked (and double locked if posssible) at the main entrance?
- Are my other doors locked from access?
- Are my windows shut all the way?
- Is my property well-lit at night?
- Can I see any of my valuables from outside on the street?
- Are there areas in my neighborhood that could offer cover or leverage for a criminal to break in easily?
- Does my routine at home make it easy for a thief to know when is the best time to try and enter?
What are some things I can do by myself to prevent burglaries?
Thieves are always looking out for themselves, so it is crucial to do the same and be ruthless in protecting your own home, self, and family from any dangerous or unwanted situation. By staying aware and actively playing on the safe side, you will shoo off the bad guys. Here are some measures you can take to prevent burglaries.
Get a dog.
Dogs will often bark when they sense unfamiliar people coming to your doorstep, warding off potential criminals.
Be smart about who you let into your home.
Sometimes, even your gardener or maid might have ulterior motives and can't be trussted. With that said, it's crucial to keep a close eye on people you hire to work in your home, and keep your valuables secured somewhere out of reach. Keep in mind that anytime you let someone into your home, you are essentially giving them an opportunity to steal, scope out your valuables, and/or make plans to come back at another time to take your belongings that they've been eyeing.
Always complete a background check & ask for references on new contractors.
After workers leave, be sure to go through your valuables and make sure everything is still there.
Install a home security/alarm system.
A home security camera will be a great thing to have because it will essentially keep tabs on people, and help you keep an eye on unwanted visitors and behavior. If getting a dog is not practicle for you, then installing an alarm system is a must.
Get to know your neighbors.
A great way to ward off unwanted visitors and potential burglars is to get friendly with your neighbors so that everyone can help each other out. This is especially helpful when/if you go on vacation for an extended period of time and need someone to help you keep a closer eye. Burglars are a lot less likely to go through with their criminal activity if they think they might be watched.
Make sure your doors and windows are locked.
This step is the easiest way to keep burglarsand unwanted visitors out of your home. Easy access will invite bad news and people.
Don't accept unsolicited help.
Unless you call someone to come over and perform a service, don't let them in. Many thieves are con artists who put on a front, making themselves look like a plumber, painter, tree trimmer, etc. They will often come with one other person. One may lure you outside to talk about the service they are "offering", while the other may run into your house to go through your belongings while you are kept distracted and busy.
Install lights outside your doorstep area so that your home is well-lit at night.
Thieves will frequent dark areas because it's harder for them to run away and not get caught if there is plenty of light. With that said, having light around your home at night will keep your area well-lit and more likely clear of criminals.
Be careful with what you throw in the trash.
Some criminals will go through your trash to see what you've left behind. For example, if you recently bought an expensive TV and are throwing out the packaging, a criminal who sees that might use that as a clue and incentive to come back and find a way to get the TV. If you're trying to get rid of trash from any significant purchases, make sure to cut up the packaging and make it as inconspicuous as possible.
Keep your home well-kept.
By trimming your bushes and eliminating potential "hiding spots", thieves are a lot less likely to show up and try to steal from your home. Keeping your place well-kept also signifies that the home is lived in and that you're not away on vacation for an extended period of time.
Identifying & Maintaining Your Home
In addition to being aware of the general tips to keeping your home safe from criminal activity, it is also important to be able to identify and maintain your home. To do this, you will want to:
Write your driver's license number somewhere on any valuables that might be stolen so that they can be identified.
Take detailed pictures of items that you can't write on.
Make sure that you keep an updated record of your valuables. This record might include model, type, serial number, fair market value, and proof of purchase, to name a few.
Replace broken windows, locks, and doors when needed.
Fix broken fences and locks when needed.
Keep loose rocks away from the property to avoid vandalism and break-ins.
Keep your home in good condition: mow the lawn, rake the leaves, clean the litter, etc. to indicate that your home is lived in and not being neglected.
Make sure that your street address number is clearly visible from the street so that cops can find your home easily as needed.
How Can I Keep My Home Safe While on Vacation?
Before going on vacation, it is important that everything in your home is in working condition. This includes your locks, security cameras, alarms, and doors. Prior to leaving, you should also do the following to ensure that you have a relaxing vacation and come back to a safe home. It is also a good idea to have some home security systems or even a doorbel camera so you can keep an eye on things while you are away.
What Do I Do In the Event I Get Robbed?
Have a list and photos of your valuables on hand and ready to report. If you come home and the door is unlocked or open, and things look like they're out of place, leave everything as is and call the police right away. Never confront a burglar to stay on the safe side, but if you spot him/her, be sure to take a good look at what they're wearing, what they look like, and what they have taken out of the house. It is also highly recommended to monitor your identity if someone has had access to your personal information.
Home Security Technology
Keeping your home safe is a lot easier now than before thanks to advanced technology. For example, remote monitoring cameras allow you to view activity in the home from work, vacation, or virtually anywhere outside of the home, on your phone. Even if you are miles away from home, you can still see in real-time what is going on in your home. Many security systems nowadays also allow you to arm and disarm them remotely. This means that even if you forget to arm the house before you left, you can still do so from your phone. In addition to remote monitoring, smart locks also exist to automatically lock doors once they sense that you have left the home, using bluetooth on your phone. Home sensors are great for detecting motion. When armed, motion triggers will be sent to your mobile device. This way, you will be immediately notified if someone is trying to break into your house. Of course, the types of technology are endless, but these are a few common ones found in many homes today.
Creating a Home Fire Defense Plan
In addition to warding off burglars from your home, it's also important that you have a home fire defense plan so that you and your family stay safe from any fires that might take place in the home. Some simple but essential steps to take include:
Conclusion
There are so many different ways to ensure home security. Some are common sense, everyday practices that we already do, while other techniques require more planning and awareness. Either way, this guide is designed to educate homeowners to take extra precautions to protect their homes. By being aware of all the different types of home security technologies out there and knowing how to create a home fire defense plan, for example, one will be ahead of the game in terms of protecting him or herself from potential danger -- whether it be as a result of a burglar or a house fire. Taking measures for home security may feel like a lot of work and may cost you a bit initially, but is well worth it to ensure safety and to prevent unnecessary stress later down the line. After all, a safe home is a happy home!
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