Basic Security Suggestions for your Home

Knowing what a thief is looking for and how to prevent them from easily finding it is the first step to a secure home.

There are a number of simple and often inexpensive precautions that the average homeowner should take advantage of in order to reduce their chances of being burglarized. These include everything from the basics of installing better locks to using a high tech security and video surveillance system. Pick and choose the right components that make you feel safe. Decide to completely update doors, windows, locks, and alarm systems or gradually add security to your existing home hardware.

Home Security Suggestions

According to FBI statistics (www.fbi.gov), a burglary occurs in the United States every 15 seconds. Although many homeowners are more concerned about security at night, surprisingly, the vast majority of these home intrusions occur during daylight hours while homeowners are at work. The most popular items stolen are cash and items easily sold for cash. These include jewelry, guns, watches, laptops, DVDs, and electronic devices. Homeowners need to make their dwellings more secure while at the same time a less desirable choice for the criminal.

Reduce Access

Unless thieves have inside knowledge about expensive items or cash they will most often choose a home based on the easiest access, greatest cover, and best escape route. Thieves weigh the benefits against the dangers when picking a target. If a thief receives information that a house has valuable content, his interest becomes heightened.

Basic Security System

If your home also appears to have quick, easy access, it’s like an invitation to the burglar. Homeowners should take advantage of anything they can to reduce a burglar’s temptation or his ability to gain access. Many of the following suggestions are simple solutions that when combined with a basic home security system and a little common sense can reduce the risk of a home invasion significantly. Several recommended Austin security companies are listed here.

In today’s world, homes are thought of as a secure refuge. The old saying “your home is your castle” often comes to mind. Security alarm systems can deter the majority of thieves but they often cannot prevent the determined criminal from breaking in. Once a household has experienced a break-in, that sense of security is often forever lost. For anyone who has already experienced a break-in, or for those who just desperately want to avoid the experience, here is a list of things that can and should be done.

Doors & Windows

First and foremost, lock all doors and windows 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even the best security hardware manufactured is worthless when it’s not used. House keys should never be given to the hired help and strangers should never be let in. Thieves like to case the target home by using schemes to gain access, such as posing as a salesman. Once inside and undercover, they look for valuables and gain knowledge of the home layout, security, and exactly where all the good stuff is kept.

Valuables

Homeowners are advised to never leave money or valuables lying out in the open, especially when in view of a window. Also, when out in public, avoid discussing what valuables or collectibles are kept in the home.

Hardware Security Devices

Keep in mind that just installing some of these hardware items, easily found at Home Depot, can actually cause a thief to choose someone else’s home as an easier target.

1. Install a good quality deadbolt lock on all exterior doors. Including any door that leads from an attached garage into the home.
2. Install impact-resistant glass or have existing glass treated with the new safety film security laminates on any glass within 36″ of a door lock. This will make it more difficult to break the glass, reach in, and unlock the door. The same protection should be installed on any window that is not
   alarmed.
3. Install solid exterior security doors, reinforce door frames, and use security door strikes on all exterior entrances and any entrance accessible from an attached garage.
4. Install automatic openers on garage doors or use bolt-type locks on each side of the garage doors. Remember to always lock your car door. Thieves can easily gain access to any home with an automatic garage door opener by gaining access to your car and pressing the remote button.
5. Install additional window locks, especially on windows that are accessible from the ground.
6. Install impact-resistant glass, security laminates, or security bars on all basement windows.
7. Install security-type hinges on all exterior doors that open outward. This includes any doors leading from the attached garages. These hinges prevent thieves from pulling the hinge pin and removing the door to gain access.