Home Security Tips
Years ago, most residential burglaries were committed in the daytime hours. Today, most are committed between 2 PM and 4 PM, mostly by teenagers 14-16 years old and mostly to support drug habits.
Burglars are usually not violent in nature, they just want to steal something without getting caught. If you should confront a burglar, allow him to leave without resistance for your own protection.
The Perimeter
Use timers or photocells for all exterior lighting. All exterior doors should be solid, at least 1 3/4" thick. All doors should have deadbolts. Door viewers are essential on exterior doors. Door chains can be useful for identification purposes, but should not be relied on for security purposes.
Sliding glass doors should include a folding/locking horizontal security bar or a non-key operated locking pin or dead bolt.
Windows can be broken, making most window locks useless. One way to avoid this, is to replace the glass with laminated plastic or tempered glass. Tempered glass is 6-7 times stronger than regular glass.
The Garage
Garages are ideal for burglars. They give the would-be-thief a place to access your home while being secluded. Make sure to keep interior garage doors locked at all times. Use extra long deadbolts that secure the lock to the framing, not just the trimwork around the door.
Radio controlled garage door openers help to reduce the risk of leaving the garage door open while leaving for short periods of time.
Interior
The only consolation you may receive after your personal valuables have been lost to fire, theft or other disaster, is the ability to collect insurance for those items. The best way to insure a quick settlement from your insurance company, is to create an inventory and identify your things in some unique manner. Record the serial numbers of electronic equipment, take photos of furniture, valuable artwork, silver or china collections, etc. Record the size, shape and quantities of your valuables.
Find out if your local police department participates in a "stolen property identification program." A unique serial number is engraved on a valuable item. If the police recover the stolen item, they will know who the rightful owner is.
Inventory all credit cards and financial documents. Secure all property inventories, descriptions, photos, jewelry appraisals, mortgage documents, insurance policies, tax receipts, marriage, death and birth certificates... in a safe place. Preferably, in a safe deposit box at your local bank. Think about securing the items that get stolen the most. These include; money, jewelry, furs, TV's, radios, collections, cameras, appliances, silverware, china, watches, and antiques.
Burglar Alarms
It's a fact, residences equipped with alarms show a sharp decline in the number of home burglaries. Some insurance companies offer discounts of as much as 15% for homes equipped with alarm systems.
The best system is one that creates a "closed circuit." When any part of that circuit is interrupted, the alarm goes off. This circuit is a series of contact switches or devices that are connected to windows, doors, any point that one can gain access to you property. When all the contacts are in place, the circuit is closed. This is also known as a perimeter alarm system.
When it comes time to buy your new alarm system, consider the following facts: "Hard-wired" systems are more reliable than "Wireless" or battery operated systems. Alarms should not be silent. Silent alarms only work if the authorities have the time to catch the burglar in the act. As this is rarely possible these days, it is better to alert the burglar that they have tripped an alarm and should leave the premises immediately. Whenever possible, use a digital keypad for entering combinations or pass numbers, instead of traditional or cylindrical alarm keys. All locks and keys can be easily duplicated.
There are alarm systems that connect to a central station via telephone lines. Before you sign a contract with an alarm company, make certain to verify that this company has a good reputation, will be around in the future, periodically services the equipment, uses quality materials and installs the system in a professional manner.
Investigate the background of the alarm company you want to do business with, by calling the local Better Business Bureau or the local police department. Make certain the company prepares a listing of all windows and doors to be connected to the system, discusses leasing versus purchasing options, installations and maintenance charges and a written contract outlining all the details and costs.
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