Trees located near windows or shrubbery that might shield a burglar from view can be major flaws in your home-protection plan. Consider your landscaping plan in light of your protection needs. Keep shrubs trimmed below windows to reduce cover. A burglar would rather enter through a window that is hidden from view than one where he is exposed.
A door with too much space between the door and the frame is an invitation for the burglar to use a jimmy. Reinforce the door with a panel of 3/4-inch plywood or a piece of sheet metal. It is also easy for a burglar to pry through rot. Replace rotted door frames with new, solid wood. When installing a window lock, drip some solder on the screw heads. It will stop a burglar from unscrewing the lock after cutting a small hole in the windowpane.
When you are away or traveling have neighbors, friends or family pick up your mail or even better contact the post office to hold your mail. Employ someone to mow your lawn, use your garbage cans, and park in your driveway when you are away. Even if a burglar knows you are away, the activity around your home will act as a deterrent. Consider an investment in a monitored home security system as they are a very effective deterrent against crime. The home security system that you install need not be a state-of -the art. For the most effective alarm system, conceal all wiring. A professional burglar looks for places where he or she can disconnect the security system.
Some individuals even will place a home security system sticker in their window even though you don't have a security system. The sticker may be enough to cause a thief to pass your house. Put up a security system sign or beware of dog sign and make it visible from the road. Believe it or not it is a proven deterrent.
Use simple safety systems to protect your home. Use locks and other mechanisms to lock the doors that are difficult to break. The longer the burglar takes to break into the house, the greater the chances that he will be caught. Use multiple locks for the doors and windows. At minimum utilize a double locking system for all doors and windows.
If there are door hinges on the outside of your house, take down the door and reset the hinges inside. Otherwise all a thief has to do to gain entry to your home is knock out the hinge pin.
It's simple for a thief to break glass panels and then reach in and open a doorknob from the inside. A door with glass panels should be either fortified, replaced, or secured with dead bolts that can only be opened with a key. Secure sliding glass doors with bars or locks, or put a wooden dowel or broom handle in the door track.
Dogs are good deterrents to burglars. Even a small, noisy dog can be effective burglars do not like to have attention drawn to their presence. Be aware, however, that trained guard dogs do not make good pets. Obedience training and attack training are entirely different, and only the former is appropriate for a house pet.
Think like a burglar. Put yourself in his shoes and find out the weak spots in the house from where the burglar can enter the house. When you do this you will be able to find the weak spots and can protect your home better. For example stand outside the window of your living room. Look at all the valuables in the room that a burglar can take. See how you can hide them, from view or rearrange them, in other rooms where they are not visible. Use hasp with protective covers for locks. This mechanism will make it more difficult for the burglar to break into the house. Have a home burglar alarm security system fitted in your house to protect your home.
Plan to "burglarize" yourself. You'll discover any weaknesses in your security system that may have previously escaped your notice.
Copyright 2006 Francesca Black
Many people have probably encountered a black substance around windows ? this is an example of mold. This small amount of fungus is probably not harmful, but it is indicative of a moisture issue ? mold grows in areas of excess moisture. Larger growths of mold can cause health problems for your family and can damage materials in your home or your home itself.
There are several ways to prevent and minimize mold ? most importantly, keep your home dry, and find and fix leaks. Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum, they have special filters that capture small mold spores. De-cluttering helps to keep air circulating through your home, discouraging the growth of spores. Make sure gutters and downspouts drain away from the house. Proper exterior grading can also ensure proper drainage.
In order to reduce the moisture levels in your home, target the areas that generate humidity: bathing, cooking, plants (soil can be a breeding ground for mold). Install extractor fans that vent outside and a dehumidifier if necessary. Keep showers short and dry the walls and floor afterwards. Be sure to vent your dryer outside
There are over 270 species of mold that grow in homes, and the signs are quite colorful: patches of blue, violet, black, white, orange, yellow, or red are all indicators of a mold growth in your home. If you find discoloration you can test it by dabbing it with bleach: if the color fades or the stain disappears you may have mold on your hands. If there is no change in the stain it's unlikely to be mold. Sometimes smell is an indicator, be aware of musty or earthy odors.
If you finds mold in your home you can clean small patches by yourself, but leave larger growths to the experts. To clean mold, wear a dust mask, rubber household gloves and safety goggles. Isolate the area, keep it well ventilated and keep family members (especially children and those with respiratory or immune deficient diseases) out of the work area and adjacent rooms. Remember ? the clean up should be quick. If you think the job will take longer than a few minutes it's better to call in professionals.
Use unscented detergent (bleach further reduces air quality and is not always effective at killing spores). First scrub the affected area, then use a clean wet rag to quickly wipe the patch and follow with a dry cloth to ensure the area dries rapidly.
Further follow up may be required on certain materials. For instance on drywall you may need to cut out the affected area and replace it, but only after the source of moisture has been identified and dealt with.
Be sure to discard moldy materials as well as furniture and carpets that have gotten wet or were stored in damp conditions. Remember - painting will not kill or remove mold problems and cleaning alone is not a solution - the moisture source must be dealt with in order to stop the growth of mold.
If the mold returns, you have an ongoing issue that requires professional attention. The longer you leave it, the worse it will become so deal with it quickly in order to ensure the health of you home and your family.
Both Francesca Black & Christian Jacobsen are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Francesca Black has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Home Security and Entertainment Guide. Francesca Black develops educational material for and. Francesca Black's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.
Christian Jacobsen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Real Estate and Online Security. Christian Jacobsen is a long-time agent and resident, who works state-wide bringing families and homes together. Christian's knowledge. Christian Jacobsen's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.