You've lived here for years. You've never had any trouble. But one otherwise
quiet night, you hear a strange noise. It sounds like the jiggling of
a doorknob. Is someone breaking into your house? Are the kids still in
bed? Where did you leave the phone? It's three o'clock in the morning,
and there is no one around to help. With no home alarm system, your mind
starts racing a million miles a second trying to think of ways to keep
your family safe and - at the same time - work out an escape route.
This is a situation all too many people find themselves in every year.
The middle of a potentially life-threatening emergency with no security
alarm system is no time to discover you need additional help. The best
time to work those things through is right now when all is well. There
are some simple ideas you can put into place right now that can help prevent
break-ins at your home. Even if you have a home alarm system, these tips
go a long way to give added safety.
Leave the Outside Lights on Every Night
Most people never turn on the outside lights unless they are leaving.
While they believe turning outdoor lights on when they leave is a safety
measure, they are only partially correct. Why? Because if the only time
you turn the outdoor lights on is when you leave, you're sending a glaring
signal to burglars that says, "Hey! I've gone out for several hours
tonight so help yourself. I'll turn the lights off when I get back so you and your buddies
will know not to come around."
Turn your porch lights and other outdoor lights on *every* night, whether
you're leaving your home or not. This way, you accomplish two things.
First, you shed light on dark areas that might otherwise help to camouflage
burglars. Second, you take away the signal burglars are waiting to see
that tells them you're away from home. Alarm systems are fabulous for
helping in times of emergency, but prevention is still the number-one cure for
break-ins.
Un-Clutter Windows and Doorways
When you give burglars plenty of cover, they will likely take advantage
of it. Tall bushes and shrubs that fully or partially cover windows make
great hiding places. Burglars can easily squat behind a bush as they work
on prying open a window for entry. Likewise, tall topiaries, statues or
other objects that offer cover to burglars should be removed from around
your doorways. Don't provide anything that would give a robber a hiding place.
Make it too Much Trouble
Most burglars are looking for an easy score. If they think entry will
be too difficult or that there is a high risk of being caught (as is the
case with security alarm systems), they will probably move on to another
house. If you currently have a home alarm system, place the signs and
window stickers in prominent places where they can be readily seen. This
practice is frequently recommended by police departments because of its
effectiveness. Motion detector lights are also good deterrents. Security
pins for sliding doors and windows would definitely be too much trouble
for your average burglar to fuss with. In addition, double-paned windows
are extra trouble to break (and extra noisy!) giving burglars yet another
reason to look elsewhere for a victim.
Another good idea is to survey your home and think like a burglar. If
you were trying to break into your own house, how would you do it? What
would you need to be successful? If you find easy ways to break into your
home, chances are a burglar will, too. Make notes as you walk around your
house and then take immediate action to stop trouble before it starts.
Jill Steele works for Monitronics International, one of the
largest and fastest growing security alarm system monitoring companies
in the United States. Focused on quality and customer service, Monitronics
home alarm systems offer protection against burglary, fire and medical
emergencies. Visit them online today at http://www.monitronics.com
