Burglary Prevention: Can You Stop a Thief?

Of course not. Just think of the most absurd ways a thief might come in. I have seen chain saws used to cut through the side of a home and even saw where they used a truck to push through a door. Although these measures sound absurd and are rare, most burglars don’t go to such measures. If you take simple steps, you can discourage most thieves to the point that they will seek out an easier target.

So what are some helpful home security tips for homeowners? The best suggestion is to become aware: Study the house the way a thief would. Where might I hide? Does the property have dark areas? Are there good locks on the doors? What windows seem to be open most of the time? Is there a key in an obvious place – like under a mat or flower pot? Is it easy to tell if the home is occupied or not? Consider who has access to the keys to your home. Unless the keys are patented, anyone with possession of your keys – even for a few seconds – can get a copy. Consider the neighbor, babysitter, gardener, housecleaner, mechanic, parking attendant and even the pet sitter. Use patented keys so you may eliminate the risk of keys being made without your knowledge. Even with patented keys -keep a log of who you give a key to.

Use patented keys so you may eliminate the risk of keys being made without your knowledge.  

Evaluate your doors and locks: More than half of burglars enter through the door so it stands to reason you should use the best doors and locks you can afford. Invest in Grade 1 deadbolts– heavy duty and pick/drill resistant. The majority of locks offer far less protection than most realize. Finally, lock your doors regardless of how “rural” your area is. Homes in rural areas are more likely to be burglarized than those in suburban areas.

Be sure first floor windows are adequately protected. Consider security film in addition to good locks. If you keep your windows open, use locks that allow them to be locked in a slightly open position. Trim the bushes, add exterior lights, remove hidden keys, add light timers, etc. Add a monitored alarm system! While alarms don’t stop a crime from occurring, they do notify the authorities in the event one occurs and can shorten the time a thief is comfortable searching for items to steal. Be sure the alarm is reliable and not prone to false alarms as the fines can be excessive and they distract authorities from handling more serious issues.

While alarms don’t stop a crime from occurring, they do notify the authorities in the event one occurs. 

Related Content:
Home Security Begins Before Intruders Enter
Protect Your Valuables from Home Burglary
Prevent Theft: NEVER Stash Valuables Here 

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