Home Security - Preventive Measures Against Burglaries

January 7, 2009 | By admin In Uncategorized | Comments(0)

Theft of valuables from home due to carelessness is very common. Never take home security for granted. If you make an effort to be secure, you will be protecting your family and your valuables much better.

Tips To Prevent Burglaries

?Securing doors and windows is extremely important. Many burglaries occur as vandals had easy access to the garage door where they worked unnoticed to gain entry into the house. Never leave your house, even for just a few minutes, without locking all doors and windows. Use dead bolts to improve home security. A pet entrance is not advisable. Have wide angled viewer installed in the main door to check who is at the door.

?Do not leave an extra pair of keys hidden outside your house; instead, leave them with a neighbor or friend.

?Make sure all doors and windows, which are not within your view, are locked when you are at home.

?Fuse boxes and power sources have to be secured, to make it impossible for criminals to tamper with them.

?Have a good burglar alarm installed.

?Make sure you periodically check all home security systems and have them serviced regularly.

?Keep your garden trimmed ensuring an unobstructed view of your house from the road or your neighbors.

?If you have to deal with windows accessible from the fire escape be sure to check that the windows are hardy, tamper proof, and secure.

?Never leave a message in your answering machine, indicating you are away.

?Do not have predictable habits change your routine often.

?Get your self a sturdy safe to lock up all valuables and important documents.

?Keep your home insurance up to date.

?Change all locks if you just moved into the house.

?Get a good private home security monitoring system to enhance home security.

?Do not leave ladders and other tools lying that can be used by vandals to gain entry into your home.

?Join a neighborhood watch program.

?Trim and maintain your garden, trees should not be used by criminals to gain entry into the upper floors of your home. Be sure that the branches are cut securing your home.

?In the event you lose a key, change the tumblers of all locks.

?It will be a great deterrent if you had a guard dog.

?Make sure your house number is lit and clearly visible to facilitate people who need to get to your home in hurry find your home easily.

?Secure skylights and roof taking precaution to prevent unauthorized entry through them.

If the above-mentioned basic home security measures are carefully followed, securing your home and sleeping peacefully will not be an issue any longer.

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Preventing Burglaries With Home Security Cameras

January 6, 2009 | By admin In Uncategorized | Comments(0)

Most crime experts agree that the best crime tool is one that prevents the crime in the first place rather than just trying to foil it as it is taking place. There are plenty of ways to send a clear signal to would-be intruders that the security of your home and family is a high priority to you, and that they would do well to try to choose a less challenging target elsewhere.

Of course, some security measures, especially those inside your home may be best kept discreet or even virtually undetectable. But before a burlar can break into your home they have to size it up from the outside. They will be looking for clues about how prepared you are as a homeowner and how difficult you have made things for them to be able to get in and out as quickly and stealthily as possible.

So the outside of the house is where you can make a clear statement to potential burglars that your home is not a good choice for intrusion. One way you can do this is by using home security video cameras in prominent and also strategic areas of the outside of your home. You can bet that burglars will be looking for these cameras when they go through a neighborhood as the last thing that they want is to have their image captured on video where it can be used to help identify and prosecute them.

So if you choose to use a camera system outside, it’s actually a good idea to make them large enough that they can easily be seen from the street. Put them in a prominent location that can’t be missed by an outside observer. Make sure that they cover any vulnerable areas of the home and major entry and exit points too. That makes the planned break-in so much harder to accomplish.

You can even consider using fake security cameras for this job if money if a major consideration in your home security budget, and you just afford the real thing yet. Many fake cameras look identical to real ones and can’t be distinguished as not being the real thing unless you actually take them apart. Remember, the strategy in this case is to try to prevent the crime more than actually catch the criminal in the commission of the crime.

Many criminals will not want to take the chance of breaking into your home if they get the impression that you are well prepared and that you have a good security plan in place. So plan ahead to try to prevent the crime before it can even begin.

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Home security tips

January 3, 2009 | By admin In Uncategorized | Comments(0)

HOME SECURITY TIPS

Did you know a single-family home is twice as likely to be burglarized than apartments?

Cash, small electronic equipment, home computers, cameras, jewelry, furs, tools and handguns are the most popular items for a burglar Few people really bother about security until something happens to them or a neighbor. Your lack of home security is the burglar’s best friend and your worst enemy. There are many things the average person can do to make their home less of a target.

A burglar needs to get in, commit his crime, and get out fast without being seen or caught. Some basic precautions you can take are listed below which will greatly increase his reasons not to choose your home A burglar will typically attack an empty home, so anything you can do to make the place secure and look like there is someone home will help move him on to another target. When you are away do not change the look of the house. For example do not close up all the drapes and send the dog to someone else’s house. Pay a kid to come and walk it and feed it each day you are away.

Put a timer on some of your main room lights and TV so they come on and off at the usual times. Have a neighbor put the trash cans out for you etc. Making the place look lived in will help a lot. Put yourself in the place of the criminal. If you were to break in to your house where would you start? Do the same drill with a friend and see what he comes up with.

Talk to you local police and get their recommendations for making your house safer for you and your family. Here are some other helpful hints that may save you a heartbreaking experience.

Trim back overhanging branches so a burglar can’t get access to upper floors. Check to see if there are any other easy ways to get on the roof or in through an upper window i.e. ladders lying around, lattice against the house walls, roof drains etc

Plant thorny shrubs and bushes outside any low windows. Trim any shrubbery that a person could hide in against the house

Do you have skylights can that be removed from the outside or easily broken? If so get them secured.

Inspect your roof area and see if there are any possible entry points where a person could gain entry. Even a loose roof vent could provide access or a child burglar

Do not store you spare keys outside. What you think is a good storage space will be obvious to any experienced housebreaker. Everyone puts their keys under a pot plant or over a ledge. Leave the key with a trusted neighbor or friend so anyone who does legally need to get into your house will know where to get it.

Install exterior lights with motion detectors by all doors. Set these so a person will set them off but not a pet. They can be aimed a little high or the sensitivity can be raised a little

Ensure that your exterior doors are at least 1-3/4 inch thick 9 they probably are already) and made from solid wood or reinforced with metal? Any decent quality exterior door will provide good protection. All exterior doors should have a dead bolt as well as the regular door lock. Make sure this dead bolt is installed with a heavy-duty strike plate and long heavy screws that go well into the door jamb and framing lumber behind it. A weak strike plate and screws will give way to a good kick or heavy shoulder.

Do not have a mail slot that a person can get their hand through and reach the door locks. Also glass panels in a door can defeat the whole plan, as they are easy to break and the locks can then be reached. CAUTION: A double keyed dead bolt, with a key to operate each side is a fire safety hazard and are not recommended in a living space. A pet door is also easy access for a child to get in and unlatch the door for a burglar. Upstairs windows are also easy access for a thief.

Any exterior glass doors need to have a security lock on the inside. These can be clamps that go on the top and bottom rails, a broomstick cut to fit in the lower track or even a dead bolt type system. Also you can add a few screws in the upper track after the door is installed. Do not screw these all the way in, just enough to allow the door to slide easily. This will prevent a burglar from lifting the door out of its frame to gain entry

Pay special attention to the garage. Often a side door to the garage gets overlooked and is not a high quality door like the rest of the house. There should also be a dead bolt from the garage to the house so this can be locked at night. If you do not have an electric garage door opener then make sure you can bolt the garage door from the inside to prevent forced opening. Also lock you car and set the alarm when it is in the garage as added precaution.

Check your windows. Are they easy to open from the outside? Ask a friend to try and break in, as he will see it differently to you. Windows in easily accessible positions should have a secure locking system or bars to prevent access. CAUTION: Any bared window should have a release devise so the window and bars can be easily released for emergency exit. Consult you security specialist for this.

All your irreplaceable items should be stored in a fireproof safe or a bank safe deposit box. Computer backups should also be kept in another location. Make a video of your house contents and store this off site also. This is a great reminder tool should something go missing or to help the insurance company in the event of a disaster. Keep a record of all serial numbers, make and model numbers and file these. Mark all TV’s and important items with a readily identifiable mark that can be seen easily by police or anyone who may be thinking of buying stolen items. There are many products on the market for this. You can also store all this data online at http://www.osldb.com/ Contact them for data on this program

Also take still photographs of your possessions so you have the record in case of emergencies.

Are you going away on vacation? Here are some things that can help protect you home and valuables

Arm the security system if you have one when you leave the house. In a dangerous area an internal security system just covering certain rooms that would catch an intruder at night may help you sleep better. Make sure a pet will not set these off. There is also an automatic dialer that can be added to security system that will automatically call the police and 1-2 other numbers if the alarm goes off.

Have neighbors on both sides watch your house for you. Leave them an emergency number where you can be reached. You can also leave a key with them if you know them well enough.

Get your lights and TV, radio etc on a timer so they come on and off at normal times.

Do not cancel the gardeners. DO cancel the mail and newspaper delivery or have a trusted friend or neighbor collect the mail daily. The post office will do this for you and you can go and collect you mail when you return. Lastly, call your local police and inform them you will be away for an extended time and ask if they can keep a watch on the house. Make sure they know who has keys and how to get hold of you.

If all the above fails go to http://www.osldb.com where you can list your stolen or lost property. This is a new web site where you can enlist the help of others to find your valuables. Better still use the advice above and don’t get burgled.

About the Author

CTW Inc is the owner of http://www.officialstolenlost.com web site. The company founders have done red carpet security for celebrity events, movie premiers, large concerts, general event security & personal celebrity security. We have extensive experience with private investigations with the legal profession. Personal and home security have become our specialty. Free articles at http://www.osldb.com

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Use Of Home Security Cameras Increase

January 2, 2009 | By admin In Uncategorized | Comments(0)

Unfortunately, the world is not as safe as it used to be. With crime in the home on the rise, more and more people are looking at options to make their homes more safe and secure. One option for home security that is becoming very popular is the use of home security cameras. These types of video systems can give a homeowner the sense of security and the peace of mind that they are looking for. Now, people can record their nanny or babysitter while they are away, see who is at the door before answering it, and find out if someone is on your property without having to go outside and possibly expose themselves to harm.

The home security camera options are vast. There are many sites on the Internet and a variety of catalogs that offer many different types of home surveillance equipment. You can buy a ready-made system for a reasonable price, or have a custom-designed system that is more costly but also very effective. They can also offer advice about the best kind of system for your needs and your budget.

There are both wireless and wired options for security cameras. Most people tend to go with the wireless choice, because anyone can install them in a short amount of time and they are easy to use. However, some people prefer the traditional CCTV option with wires to install. However, all of these types of security systems work with the equipment you already have. For instance, you can have live color images sent to your TV, or have them recorded on your VCR. If you need additional recording time, you can always choose to go with a digital recorder, which is more expensive but also gives you a lot more latitude in how much footage you need to record. These systems are weatherproof so that they work inside or outside, depending on your needs.

A homeowner can choose a simple camera, large or very small to mount in any place they desire. They can also get additional security items, such as motion detectors and night vision cameras. The variety of surveillance equipment is endless, and you can monitor any area you want to. The only factor is how much you are willing to spend on this kind of security stuff for your home.

One factor that is extremely important to consider when choosing a home security camera is camera resolution. A camera with a higher resolution will have a much clearer and sharper picture. So paying more for a higher resolution camera makes sense in the long run because you will have the kind of quality picture you need for your home security. Choosing a home security system does not have to be difficult or costly. Most security cameras can be installed easily and will provide you with the peace of mind you crave.

About the author:
Bob Hett offers great tips and advice regarding all aspects concerning Security Cameras.
Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.securitycamerasreview.info

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Home Security Has Come A Long Way In The Past Century

January 1, 2009 | By admin In Uncategorized | Comments(1)

Having top-notch home security can mean the difference between feeling vulnerable and feeling in control of your home and family. Home security has come a long way in the past century; as burglars have become more sophisticated, so have the means to repel them.

The Garza family of Houston, Texas thought their home was secure. They locked their doors. They lived in a good neighborhood. What more home security should they need? But one Friday afternoon they came home to a broken window and a ransacked house. Their TV, other electronics, even the kid?s bikes, were gone. ?How could this happen in broad daylight?? Asks Ed Garza. ?The criminals are getting braver.?

Clever Criminals

They aren?t only getting braver, they?re getting smarter. Criminals watch families closely to learn their habits, when they?re home, when they?re not. Forty percent of break-ins occur in the middle of the day while the family is at work or school. Burglars know that during the day there are likely to be fewer people around to keep an eye on the neighborhood, and they can treat homes like candy shops. Night is no longer the common criminal?s only time on the job. They prowl at all hours, so your home security system must be ready and in place 24 hours a day.

Home security is moving beyond strong locks and a guard dog and requires more vigilant standards. With burglars coming out into the day time and carefully planning their not-so-random attacks, safeguarding your home with a complex home security system requires you to put as much thought into it as the burglars do.

The basics: strong locks, trimmed back bushes, and nosy neighbors, are a good start, and you should make those the foundation for your home security system. But these days, a home security system requires a comprehensive network of components working together to protect your family from burglaries, fires, and other emergencies.

How a Wired or Wireless Home Security System Works

Wired or wireless, an alarm home security system does two things: when triggered, it not only lets out a shrill noise to draw attention to your home and scare away the intruder; it also alerts security personnel to the security breach and sends help right away.

There are many kinds of alarm home security systems. You can choose an alarm home security system that detects motion or an alarm home security system that detects window breakage or door entry.

Motion Sensor Home Security System

A motion sensor home security system detects unauthorized movement in or around your home. A motion sensor home security system senses infrared energy given off by a person in a secured area. On many motion sensor home security systems, an alarm is signaled only when the sensor is armed and the viewed energy has the correct temperature, motion, and timing associated with a burglar, thus safeguarding against false alarms. This sophisticated type of home security system is pet-proof, so Fido or Fluffy won?t set off a false alarm, while Bruno the Burglar will be caught in the act.

A Window Break Home Security System

The other kind of alarm home security system is the window break home security system. Burglars love to break into windows, which, compared to doors, are much less secure. But a window break home security system detects when the glass is broken or the window is open without authorization, preventing burglars from simply smashing in a window and coming inside. If the Garza family had this sort of home security alarm system, chances are the burglar would have run away before stealing anything.

This type of home security system reduces the incidence of false alarms and break-ins. Simply affix the sensor to your window and it will safeguard your home.

Benefits of Any Home Security System

When you install a home security system in your home, you will enjoy decreased home insurance rates because insurance companies like knowing you have taken active steps to prevent damage and property loss in your home. Some home security system software also monitors your home and family for protection from fire and health emergencies as well.

A home security system can be a direct line to 911 — the police, fire department, or ambulance. In the event of a break-in or other sudden emergency while you are home, you can hit the panic button and help will be on the way, thanks to your home security system.

The benefits of installing a home security system include:

(1) Permanent, 24-hour surveillance
(2) Pet-immune” motion sensor systems available
(3) Security fits any size home
(4) Coded security power on/off puts you in control

A Wireless Security Camera Home Security System

You have alarms, now how about some extra watchful eyes to guard you? A wireless camera home security system monitors you home with video surveillance that can capture any unsavory activity that can be used in court or used to protect your family from activities that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Benefits of a Wireless Security Camera Home Security System

(1) Easy to set up
(2) Cost efficient personal surveillance system
(3) Transportable, can move from room to room or house to house
(4) Send signals through walls and floors

A wireless security camera makes video surveillance easy, portable, and cost effective. Have your eyes peeled all the time with a wireless security camera.

Check out all we have in wireless security camera technology.

We also have wired security cameras for more permanent home security system surveillance.

Fire Alarm Home Security System

A home security system should include security from fires as well as from foe. Fires are a real threat to your home and family. Consider these statistics:

1) There were 1,584,500 fires in the United States in 2003,
2) Fires resulted in 3,925 deaths, 18,125 injuries, and $12.3 billion in damages,
3) Residential fires represented 25.4% of all fires and 77.4% of structural fires.

Fire alarms are a key part of your home security system. A fire alarm home security system alerts your family to danger and gets them safely out of the house. The early alert of a fire alarm home security system can also prevent a fire from actually destroying the structure of your home, protecting not only your loved ones but your house and what?s inside. Home fire alarms should be a standard feature of your home security system.

Home fire alarms belong in every bedroom, plus the hallway, kitchen and den. At a very low cost, home fire alarms save thousands of lives a year. There?s simply no reason for home fire alarms not to be in every home security system in America.

The Power of a Comprehensive Home Security System

This combination of fire alarm, video surveillance, and 24-hour security monitoring will ensure that your home is under the utmost protection of a complex, sophisticated home security system. The Garzas learned their lesson the hard way. Don?t wait until it?s too late to start fending off burglars- outwit them at their own game by preventing all of their usual tricks. A little thought goes a long way in building a successful home security system.

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Where you can find out more about Security Door Locks and articles on Biometric Security

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Home Security How to Spot Suspicious Activity

December 30, 2008 | By admin In Uncategorized | Comments(0)

In part nine of this series on home security, I am going to giver you a list of things to watch out for to help in spotting possibly suspicious people, its surprising how regularly we miss rather obvious signs that should put us on our guard. 1. Somebody going from house to house, this is particularly suspicious if, once a few homes have been visited, one or more of the people go into a back or side yard. It is even more suspicious if another remains in the front when this occurs. It may be that they are looking for a house to burglarize, or there could be a burglary in progress.

2. If somebody is waiting around in front of a home this becomes very suspicious if you know the homeowners are away. The individual you can see may be a lookout for a burglary that is in progress inside.

3. Everyone seen forcing an entry into a home. This is clearly suspicious at anytime and in any circumstances immediately dial 911 or 999 if in the U.K. 4. If you see anybody who does not live in the home, going into the yard, it is possible that a burglary is being committed.

5. Someone running away particularly if something valuable is being carried, they may be leaving the scene of a crime.

6. If you see somebody showing strange mental or physical symptoms, they may be injured or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 7. Anybody moving property may be considered suspicious in some circumstances. Perhaps if it is late at night or if the item is not wrapped, it is possible that the article has been stolen. 8. A large number of comings and goings from a particular house, this may not be suspicious, unless it occurs on a daily or very regular basis, especially during late or unusual hours when it could signify vice or drug related activities. With all of the above situations you must use your common sense, in the majority of situations there is a perfectly innocent explanation for what you see but if you are not certain dial 911 or 999 in the U.K. and let the police investigate.

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Home Security Systems Monitoring

December 24, 2008 | By admin In Uncategorized | Comments(0)

To deliver the best possible protection for your home and family, it is vitally important to have advanced home security system monitoring. A security system without monitoring is like an automobile without gasoline. In the same way, if your security system is not properly monitored, then there is no way for emergency personnel to be notified to respond when there is an intrusion, fire or other threat to your home and family.

Due to the unique protection afforded by a monitored alarm system, it is not surprising that FBI statistics reveal that a home without a monitored security system is 3 times more likely to be burglarized, and that the average loss for a residential burglary is $1607. A business without a monitored security system is 4.5 times more likely to be burglarized.

When the security system is tripped the main control panel will notify the alarm monitoring company that a breach has occurred. The information received is then interpreted by the monitoring professionals who promptly notify the appropriate authorities.

When your security system depends upon traditional telephone lines, your system is only as good as your telephone lines. If your telephone lines go down, your security system is worthless. Telephone lines can go down for a variety of reasons including but certainly not limited to having the phone cables cut by an intruder.

To enable your alarm system to work independently of your telephone lines, a cellular backup for your alarm system is indispensable. If the landlines are cut for any reason, your security system will still transmit an alarm to the appropriate authorities. Cellular backup transmits on a secure wireless phone network, which is completely separate and distinct from your traditional telephone lines. With the benefits of cellular backup, you will have a reliable system immune from the obstacles presented by systems dependent upon traditional telephone lines.

A wireless home security is superior to a wired version because: no unsightly wires draped throughout your home; the system can be installed quickly; the system components can be reconfigured easily without re-wiring, and most importantly the security system can’t be compromised by cut wires. It’s important that your security system have the ability to be armed and disarmed from anywhere, conveniently over the phone.

When reviewing security monitoring companies make sure the company is Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) listed. They should also meet the National Fire Protection Association standards.

In summary, your home security system is only truly effective when connected to a 24/7 monitoring center. A wireless system is easier to configure and update and make sure the company’s monitoring center is U.L. listed.

About the Author:

Allen Sorensen offers advice regarding all aspects of home security systems. Visit his site for more helpful information about burglar alarms

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How To Successfully Use Home Security Cameras

December 5, 2008 | By admin In Uncategorized | Comments(1)

Increasing home security can be accomplished in several ways. Some of those include home security systems and alarms, neighborhood watch programs and more. But home security camera systems are growing in popularity lately. Let see why.

A home security camera system does not have to be expensive or extensive to help you keep in touch with what is going on around your home at all times. Just a few well-placed cameras at very strategic locations can be all that you need. For instance, cameras that are placed at opposite outside corners of your home can provide good coverage of most of the perimeter of the house. You can even connect these cameras to motion sensitive devices that only turns them on when motion is detected in it’s surveillance area.

A couple of cameras inside the home can also be used in a very similar way and because many surveillance cameras are very small these days they can be practically invisible to the casual observance. In fact, oftentimes something as simple and cheap as a webcam can be used to capture enough video to give you the information that you need to be able to successfully monitor your home. And these are very small and inexpensive cameras to use.

With these cameras in place, you can monitor what is happening at your home from a great distance by combining them with appropriate software and connecting through the internet to view the results. There is software available that will alert you by email when motion is detected in a particular area. Or you can choose to have the cameras record video continuously for you and save it to a server where you can then access it and review it at your leisure.

Some use these setups to keep an eye on babysitters, or to monitor what their children are doing while they are away.

Of course, even if you do not have children, a home security camera system can still be beneficial for peace of mind when you are away from home. It can help you make sure that no nasty surprises will be awaiting you upon your return home.

So give consideration to incorporating a home security camera system in your security arsenal. It’s cheap and very effective.

About the Author

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Don’t Be a Target: Nine Simple Home Security Tips

December 4, 2008 | By admin In Uncategorized | Comments(0)

Burglars will always go after the easiest target. Not necessarily the biggest house on the block–but the easiest one to break into. Burglars like dark houses, and they like to get in fast. If your house is well-lit or takes more than five minutes to break into, chances are they’ll go elsewhere. If you want to make your house less inviting to burglars, here’s how to do it.

Keep the lights on. It’s a good idea to invest in security lighting. If your home or yard is kept lit at night, it’s a definite burglar deterrent. When lighting your home, it’s important not to make it blaze so brightly it bothers the neighbors–but a downlight over your garage and front doors, uplights beneath windows, and a few well-placed outdoor lamps in the yard can go a long way towards discouraging most break-ins.

Get a good home security system. The best home security systems have an alarm that automatically alerts the police. Motion detectors are useful to install in your yard–turn them on before you go to bed at night so they don’t go off when you and your family are outside during the day.

Have a thick door with a deadbolt. Your door should be in good repair. It should fit its frame well, with no chinks and no soft or rotting wood in the frame. The best lock in the world won’t keep a burglar out if your door isn’t strong as well. You should have a deadbolt–never rely on those doorknob locks. Get a peephole, preferably a wide-angle one, installed in your door. It’s much safer than using a chain–strong burglars can break those chains and push you aside to get in.

If you have a garage, this also applies to the door that leads from it to the inside of your house. Garage doors are often flimsy, with cheap locks. Make sure the door that goes into your house from your garage is just as strong as your outside-access doors, with the same strong deadbolts and peephole.

If you have sliding glass doors, you’ve probably noticed the locks are weak. Don’t depend on a stick set in the door channel. Go to your local hardware store and see what they have for strong locks for these doors.

Don’t make it obvious you’re away. When you go away on holiday, don’t close your blinds any more than you usually do. Have the post office hold all mail and packages so it doesn’t collect outside your door. Ask a friend to collect hand-delivered circulars from your doorstep. If you’re going to be gone for longer than a week, pay someone you trust to mow your lawn or shovel your driveway.

Many people install timers on the lights in their homes, and set them to go on and off at appropriate times to make it look like you’re home. There are lots of other ways to do this as well, like installing motion-sensitive lights outside of your house and putting your radio and TV on a timer so that they go on and off, as well.

Get a home security safe. If you have anything especially valuable in your house–jewelry or important documents, for example–protect them with a home security safe. These can go a long way toward protecting your peace of mind, as well as your belongings.

Don’t show off tempting items. Open your blinds and look in your windows–from the street as well as from your yard. Can you see a television, a computer, stereo equipment, or any other valuables from your windows? If so, you may be advertising to burglars without knowing it. Make sure nobody from outside can see any valuable objects in your house. Also, don’t leave anything outside in your yard that can be carried off–it makes too tempting a target for even casual thieves.

Watch your windows. Make sure your windows are strong and in good repair–including the frames. In addition, it’s a bad idea to put a window-mounted air conditioner in a window on the ground floor–these can be easy to push out. It’s a good idea to trim shrubs and trees near windows, as these can provide cover for burglars.

Careful with your keys. Don’t keep your keys on a ring with your home address anywhere on it. And don’t hide an extra key under the doormat, in that flowerpot by the door, or anywhere else outside. You may think you’ve found the perfect hiding place, but most burglars know where to look. Think about getting a key safe.

Contact your local police. Often, the police will send someone to assess your house and recommend the steps you should take to make your home safer. This is a good thing to do anytime you move into a new house, or if there have been robberies at other homes in your area recently.

Keep your house from being a tempting target. Don’t help burglars rob you by keeping your house dark at night, keeping expensive items by the window, or neglecting your windows and doors. Follow these simple tips, and your home will be much less inviting to criminals–and much safer.

About the Author

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A­bout the A­uthor­

A­bou­t th­e A­u­th­or

About the Author

About the Author

About the Author

About the Author

About the Author