How’s Your Home Security?
As the saying goes a man’s home is his castle. But homes today’s homes do not have moats, drawbridges and archers to keep out intruders.
As a police officer I have seen many housebreaks. Most of the breaks involved climbing through an window or busting the door in.
Everyone wants to keep their loved ones safe. There are a lot of things that you can do.
Have A Home Security Plan
The first thing to do is think about it now before something happens, have a plan. Make sure that you find out as much as you can about family security and safety.
It’s also important to know that most burglars spend only 30 to 60 seconds attempting to gain entry into a home. This means that the harder you make it for them to get into your home, the better chance that he will move on to an easier target.
Harden Your Homes Security
Chances are good that home security can be improved. Take a hard look at entry points in your residence and determine what steps can reduce vulnerability.
Here are some things you can do to help make sure that you have a plan for your home security and family safety.
Alarm the House
Preferably a managed home security system which will improve the safety of your family and possessions, but it can also decrease your home insurance costs.
74.3% of unsuccessful burglaries were attributed to the alarm system “scaring away” the intruder. The probability of a burglary at a residential site without an alarm system is 14.8%
For information on a security system see home security tips
Secure Doors:
Doors are the second highest point of entry for residential burglaries! Over 40% of home burglaries are termed by police as “no force” entries. In other words, doors or windows were left unlocked, allowing the burglar easy access to the home negates any home security.
– All latch-strike plates on your exterior doors should be secured with at least 3″ screws.
– Exterior doors having glass within 3 feet of the lock should have double-cylinder deadbolts installed on them.
– All your exterior doors without glass should have a wide-angle door-viewer installed for identifying visitors.
– All exterior doors should be constructed of solid wood.
– Change the locks when you move into your home or apartment.
– Always lock all your doors when you are home for the night or when you leave your residence.
Exterior Lighting:
Main entryways to your residence should be well lit to allow for identification of visitors at your doors and to prevent loitering. 90% of all intruders will choose not to enter a residence that is well lit. All entrances should be illuminated well.
Floodlights or some other type of area illumination should cover all exterior sections of your home and property. Use motion sensors to control your exterior lighting
Landscaping:
Fences and shrubbery can make good hiding places for burglars. Tree limbs should be trimmed to prevent access to upper floor windows or balconies. Plant “prickly” or thorny shrubbery near windows to discourage loitering or hiding.
Windows:
Over 40% of home burglaries are termed by police as “no force” entries. In other words, doors or windows were left unlocked, allowing the burglar easy access to the home.
Windows are the 1st point of entry for residential burglaries! 30.9% of burglaries occur through first floor windows. 6.0% of burglaries occur through the upper-floor windows.
– Lock first floor windows and ventilate second floor windows that do not have climbing access.
– Auxiliary window locks can be installed to allow ventilation while maintaining security.
Stay safe ~ concord carpenter