Home Security
Start with basic measures
What do you really need to maintain your home security and keep your family safe? Security and alarm sales companies trade in homeowner insecurities to sell myriad products designed to turn our castles into fortresses. But is all that gadgetry really necessary? Of course you can spend a big pile of money, but without taking the basic steps first and possibly changing some of your habits, it might be for naught.
Actions you can take
Burglary is a crime of opportunity. If you and your neighbors work to prevent the opportunity, you and your home will be that much safer.
Basic home security measures include the following:
- Know your neighbors and look out for each other's homes. This is the key to neighborhood security. If you know your neighbors, their kids, pets, cars, and typical schedule, it's much more likely that you'll be aware when something is out of the ordinary. Talk to your neighbors when leaving on vacation; tell them know how long you expect to be gone and when you expect to be back. Most neighbors are happy to pick up the newspaper and take out garbage bins. Leave a key with a trusted neighbor—it's great when you get locked out, too.
- Call the police department and find out if there is a crime prevention team. Ask for a home security inspection to identify your home's weak points.
- Train family members in basic safety techniques.
- Lock all doors and windows when you leave the house. Even if you are making a short market run, lock the door.
- Keep the garage door closed and locked. The door between the garage and house should have a deadbolt.
- Don't forget that your garage door opener is a version of a key.
- Windows and doors should be visible from the street. High shrubbery and plantings can provide thieves with a place to skulk, so keep them trimmed.
- A tidy home gives a message that it's maintained and occupied. If leaving on vacation, arrange to have papers and mail picked up by neighbors or held at the Post Office. Hire a lawn service to mow, water, and tidy the yard if you expect to be gone for more than a week.
- Don't leave your valuables where they are visible from doors and windows.
- Don't leave notes with details about your absence.
- Train children so they know not to answer the door when you're gone and to never give information out over the phone to callers they don't know. (This may vary depending on the age of the child.)
- Photograph valuables and engrave, if possible, with your driver's license number for insurance purposes. (Place a copy of your inventory and related photos in a safe deposit box in case of fire.) Don't use your social security number to ID your valuables.
- Remove all identification from your keys. If you lose them, there's no reason to think they'll fall into honest hands. If you believe someone has stolen your keys, have the locks changed.
Additional measures that may help secure your property.
- Upgrade doors to solid core that can withstand excessive force.
- Upgrade locks on doors and windows. A two-inch or longer deadbolt lock on doors will stymie most would-be burglars.
- Add wide-angle viewers to doors to accommodate all occupants including children or handicapped family members.
- Install motion sensor-activated exterior lights on entry porches. Not only will it discourage burglars, it also makes it easier for you to get into your home late at night.
- Install timers to switch lights, TV, or music on and off, especially if you are planning to be gone.
Neighborhood Watch programs
Neighborhood Watch programs exist in many cities across the US. It's an active and productive partnership between homeowners, neighborhood residents, and law enforcement that has reduced crime substantially by raising awareness of what can be done proactively to prevent becoming victims. If you know of a program in your neighborhood, participate; if there is no program, start one. This is not a social activity, you don't need to be best friends with your neighbors to protect each other's home and family, however the benefits are many including reduced risk of crime, mutual protection, and ability to address neighborhood-related issues that may come up at a city level.
To start a Neighborhood Watch program, check with your neighbors to find out if others are concerned or interested. Contact your local police department and find out if there is a program coordinator or crime prevention specialist. If the police have a Neighborhood Watch program in place, they can assist with the details of organizing.
Suspicious of your neighbors?
Not all of us get to live in "Leave it to Beaver" neighborhoods. Sometimes our neighbors can be the problem. All the more reason to know who they are and band together with likeminded neighborhood residents to be vigilant. By working together you can create a neighborhood that is safer.
Work with your neighbors and local authorities to protect your home and property. As a by-product of September 11, the Federal government is working with various organizations to control gangs and facilitate homeland security and emergency preparedness. The closer to home you keep your organization, the more autonomy you retain. Awareness, the free flow of information, and proactivity are the hallmarks of healthy citizen initiative and will provide the bedrock of your neighborhood safety program.
A door installer can replace flimsy doors with solid core versions with heavy duty deadbolts. Find a reliable, qualified professional who can be trusted. UpdateRenovate can help you find installers in your city.
