Home Security Tips

The first action to help prevent home burglaries is to lock all exterior doors and windows, because most intrusions occur through an unlocked and/or open door.  Criminals most often choose the easiest way to commit a crime. 
 
One of the most common entry points by burglars is through an open overhead garage door.  Many valuable items are kept in a garage, including vehicles, which are also often left unlocked.  Most importantly, many burglars who enter the garage do not hesitate to enter the house through an unlocked access door.  Some of these of burglaries occur during the overnight hours, when homeowners and their families are sleeping inside.
 
Listed below is a summary of tips to help deter criminal activity:

 

  • Lock all exterior doors and windows.
  • Use a solid core or heavy metal door for all entrance points.
  • Use quality, heavy duty, deadbolt locks with at least a one-inch throw bolt.
  • Use a heavy duty, strike plate with three-inch screws.
  • Secure sliding glass doors with a blocking device in the track or path way.
  • Use lights near porches, outside of all doorways, garage doors and all other points of entry.  Install a low voltage outdoor lighting system.
  • Keep any entryways well-lit. Motion detecting lights are also good choices providing they are unreachable, otherwise bulbs can be removed.
  • Create the illusion that you are home by using timers on lights, radios and TV's; making your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home.
  • Have someone collect your mail and newspapers if you are not home.
  • Arrange to have someone cut your lawn, plow or shovel your walk and driveway.
  • Never leave a message on your telephone answering machine telling people that you are away from home.
  • Don't keep valuables in your bedroom. Burglars normally make a beeline for the bedroom because they know that people tend to keep cash and jewelry there. Keep your valuables in an unlikely place.
  • Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate hedges may be beautiful, they also provide a hiding place for burglars who need only a minute to break in through a window or door.
  • Get to know your neighbors so you can count on them and that they can count on you to report suspicious activities to the police. Nothing beats a cautious neighbor, ready to call 911, for burglary protection.
  • According to the FBI, homes with active alarm systems are 15 times less likely to be hit by burglars, as they can help:
    — Deter criminal activity because the risk of being detected is nearly 100%
    — Improve overall safety aspects of the home including smoke, fire and CO
  • Alarms must be of good quality with built-in redundancy features with proper
    communications in case phones are down or cut.  Utilize only well established security companies with a local monitoring who historically provide the best coverage and service.
  • When using an alarm system, make sure your call list is always up to date
    and that all individuals on the lists know how to respond in the event of an emergency.
     

 

For more information on these great offers or to receive a free security analysis, contact Home Security Sales at 952.858.5000 or sales@gssc.net