You may have noticed that the use of security systems, surveillance cameras, security guards and even 'under-cover' security personnel has increased dramatically in malls and even small mom-and-pop and convenience stores. Since these are stores that have to be profitable to stay in business you pretty much have to figure that the surveillance and security measures are cost effective - that theft losses are reduced substantially simply through discouraging robbery. The first of our home security tips is simple enough though many don't seem to believe it. Doing something to improve security is worth the effort and cost and preventing theft is ultimately the most efficient way to do it.
As it keeps getting tougher to rip off businesses, where does the worried thief turn? A lot of them turn to burglary and are out there checking out your home as one of their potential new income sources. Despite the movies there are not all that many highly skilled professional burglars and most are lazy, semi-skilled and primarily looking for an easy target so they can feed their drug habit without putting in much effort or taking much of a risk.
As a sort of thief's eye approach to home security tips, lets think about what some of the primary features of a good target are. Having some marketable items to steal is one. These days this probably means almost any house, but being able to see into the house can nail down a target if, for example, computers or other electronics can be seen from the outside.
Easy access and, particularly, possible entry points that are concealed from view are attractive features. Tall shrubs or bushes that provide coverage while working on a door or a window make a nice, burglar friendly bonus. An absence of obvious security features such as signs or decals for security companies or the NRA, motion sensor lights or surveillance cameras are also an invitation to burglars. Dogs can be a serious annoyance to a burglar, at least ones in homes they want to rob, so the absence of any indications of a dog can raise a home's 'burglaribility' factor. Interestingly, National Rifle Association membership stickers or signs seem to drop a home's popularity. The only problem here is that if a robber can be certain nobody's waiting inside with a shotgun, then that NRA signage pretty strongly indicate there are rifles and or hand guns inside which are attractive items for thieves.
Most of these items are easy to check without being obvious or doing something overtly suspicious. Observe your home from this viewpoint and see how it rates as a potential target. Some 80% of the homes in the US have no specific protection against burglary except insurance. A few simple steps can reduce your home's apparent vulnerability. Start by eliminating any concealment provided by bushes and trees. especially near entry points. Next, make certain that valuable and easily portable items such as stereos, TVs, etc., are not visible from the outside. Signs and window decals, whether true or not, reduce your home's attractiveness to criminals. Motion sensor lights and a dummy security camera are inexpensive and an added negative.
The home security tips discussed here are primarily ones which will make your home less attractive as a target for burglary. So, while they do offer a level of enhanced home security, you should also consider further steps to make your home more secure and more difficult to break into easily.
We all want to make sure that our homes, and especially our loved ones are safe and secure. It's one of the basic needs and desires of people almost everywhere around the world. And home security is a field where many things can be implemented to help reach your goal of safety for your home and family. Some home security plans can be very expensive, and the more tools in your security arsenal the better. But there are many inexpensive security choices that can be made as well.
For instance, a burglar alarm system does not have to be very expensive to raise the safety level in your home. A simple alarm system that sounds a loud noise when activated can be very effective on it's own since burglars do not like loud noises and certainly don't want attention being brought to what they are doing. Simple alarm systems that can be found online can also be installed by the homeowner as well, also significantly reducing the overall cost of home security. If you wish to include an outside monitoring service, the cost is usually around $10 a month which is very reasonable, but it's entirely a personal choice.
Simple, low-cost motion detectors that trigger outside lights at night can be very effective in increasing home security and yet not cost very much. Many homeowners can actually install these themselves too and avoid the installation fee.
A particularly effective and yet no-cost method of home security is a neighborhood watch program. A simple agreement between neighbors to actively watch and keep an eye out for each others properties can make burglars avoid that area altogether simply because the riak of getting spotted is too high for the potential rewards that they may gain from the burglary.
And finally, something as simple as a watchdog can be a red flag to burglars that breaking into your home will not be easy and it will most certainly draw unwanted attention due to the dog barking or even possibly biting them as they try to go about their business. Watchdogs are particularly effective pets for security because they tend to be very territorial and they defend their home and family, often to the death. Of course, having a dog that barks all of time is not going to be good for either you or your neighbors, so make sure that the dog is well trained and only barks when a perceived threat is suspected. That way if the dog is barking unusually long and hard it will be a notification for everyone in earshot that an intruder may be nearby.
Most of these ideas are very low cost, and some don't cost anything. But putting them into practice can help raise the home security around your house right away.
Both Richard G Keir & Jim Johnson 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.
Richard G Keir has sinced written about articles on various topics from 401K, Home Security and Bad Breath. At Home Security Works you can find more tips, and articles and information on home security systems and. Richard G Keir's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.
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