While home insurance can help protect you from the financial loss of a home break in and theft, the best way to protect your family and possessions is to have your house properly secured and set up to be a deterrent to thieves.
Your first line of defense is to have looks that are not easily picked, drilled or kicked in. The lock should have a 1-inch deadbolt and be installed with 3-inch screws. Properly lock all doors leading into the house, including doors for accessing the garage from the outside and the door inside the garage that allows entry to the house.
The next choice of burglars wanting to enter your house is often through the windows. Windows near doors, or located somewhere easy to climb through, can be reinforced with security film. You can prevent entry into basement windows by installing steel gates that lock. Keep the key for the gates in the basement, in a location that all family members are aware of in case of an emergency where someone needs to escape through the window.
With the entry points secured, you should now focus on deterring thieves with motion detector lights (especially in the backyard) and careful landscaping. Make sure that no bushes or trees would provide a thief with a location where they can be hidden while working on your door or window. Also consider how a burglar can use a patio table or barbecue to reach windows you may have thought were to high to need securing.
Despite all these precautions, the fact remains that if a thief wants to get into your house badly enough, he probably can. You can still have an opportunity to scare him off, as well as notify the police, by having an alarm installed and monitored. Your alarm should include backup power and its own UHF or cellular connection in case either the electricity or telephone line has been disconnected.
Taking these steps now could help to protect your home in the future, as well as your family and valuables inside it.
Image by dickuhne
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My wife attended a personal security seminar conducted by a former FBI agent, who said that statistically, 90% of all “break ins” occur in homes that were not secured, meaning the doors and windows weren’t locked and the thieves go right in.
So all the locks in the world won’t do a thing if they aren’t used.
Viewed more broadly, the first, best line of defense is awareness. We need to be aware of what can happen, that in fact it can happen, what we can do about it, and then develop routines and habits so that we implement safeguards.
Kevin@OutOfYourRut´s last blog ..Buying vs Renting a Home – Its Not All About Money
I don’t have a home security system. To me I think of it more of a hassle than anything.
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Tom,
You just reminded me that I should call my insurance agent. I had an alarm installed last summer. Most insurance companies give you a discount on insurance when you have an alarm!
The best home security i bought after being burgled was a dog.Burglars run at the sound of a dog,simply because they dont know the size or ferocity of your dog and in general they not prepared to find out. Since i bought my dog which is a colly,i’ve had no problems from burglars or trick-a-treaters.
Ah, This is great! Dispells
a few misnomers I’ve been hearing.