Burglary Prevention Tips & Security Effectiveness Quiz:
You probably won't be surprised by the results. Some things you likely know need to be corrected, but they haven't been a priority for you. Replacing a door or lock isn't the most glamorous of home improvement projects.
Other things you may have allowed for the sake of convenience, such as a key stashed under the mat or "hidden" in the garage. Even an amateur burglar who's mildly determined to get into your house will look for a key.
Other things you may have allowed for the sake of convenience, such as a key stashed under the mat or "hidden" in the garage. Even an amateur burglar who's mildly determined to get into your house will look for a key.
Evaluate Your Security Effectiveness With This Quiz:
Your House:
Do you keep a spare key under a mat, in a flower pot, or elsewhere outside?
Do you have hollow-core doors leading into your house from the outside?
Are any of your exterior doors not secured by a heavy-duty deadbolt lock and reinforced strikplate?
Can your expensive television or computer system be easily seen by looking into a window?
Is your pet door large enough to allow a person to squeeze through?
All of these make your home a more attractive target to burglars, and all of them are relatively easy to fix. Now is the time to focus on these shortcomings and correct them!
Do you keep a spare key under a mat, in a flower pot, or elsewhere outside?
Do you have hollow-core doors leading into your house from the outside?
Are any of your exterior doors not secured by a heavy-duty deadbolt lock and reinforced strikplate?
Can your expensive television or computer system be easily seen by looking into a window?
Is your pet door large enough to allow a person to squeeze through?
All of these make your home a more attractive target to burglars, and all of them are relatively easy to fix. Now is the time to focus on these shortcomings and correct them!
The Yard:
Could a tree limb give an agile climber access to a second story window or balcony?
Do overgrown trees or shrubs prevent any of your doors or windows from being seen from the street or from a neighbor's house?
Are all sides of your house well lighted at night or equipped with motion sensitive lights?
Is your lawn well maintained, or does it look like your home may be unoccupied?
Do you leave valuable lawn and garden equipment in your yard?
Home security is more than locks and solid doors. If a burglar can get close to your house without being detected, he has more time to get inside without being noticed. Your yard says quite a bit to a burglar casing homes in your neighborhood. Make sure your home and yard tell the intruder to "get lost!"
Could a tree limb give an agile climber access to a second story window or balcony?
Do overgrown trees or shrubs prevent any of your doors or windows from being seen from the street or from a neighbor's house?
Are all sides of your house well lighted at night or equipped with motion sensitive lights?
Is your lawn well maintained, or does it look like your home may be unoccupied?
Do you leave valuable lawn and garden equipment in your yard?
Home security is more than locks and solid doors. If a burglar can get close to your house without being detected, he has more time to get inside without being noticed. Your yard says quite a bit to a burglar casing homes in your neighborhood. Make sure your home and yard tell the intruder to "get lost!"
When No One Is At Home:
Do you use timers on any lights?
Do you leave any doors or windows unlocked?
Is your mail and newspaper picked up every day by a friend or neighbor?
When your on vacation, your house should look as though you're still home!
We advise our readers to look at the above areas before deciding whether or not to invest in a security system. FYI, some alarm companies have their salespeople evaluate your home's security for free (in exchange for providing you with a quote for an alarm system).
Do you use timers on any lights?
Do you leave any doors or windows unlocked?
Is your mail and newspaper picked up every day by a friend or neighbor?
When your on vacation, your house should look as though you're still home!
We advise our readers to look at the above areas before deciding whether or not to invest in a security system. FYI, some alarm companies have their salespeople evaluate your home's security for free (in exchange for providing you with a quote for an alarm system).
Be objective. You create a false sense of security when you downplay your home's current shortcomings-a door that wiggles in its frame, even if its just a touch, is not secure. Conversely, there's no need to panic about shortcomings-adding a dead bolt is most likely sufficient to secure a solid door that's in a reinforced frame; rebuilding the door is going a tad overboard.
More Home Security Resources On Alarm System Reviews.Com:
How "burglar proof" is your residence? You want to improve your home's security, but you may not be sure where to begin. Well, start by evaluating your home and property with this simple quiz. It will give you a good overall security picture, and the most vulnerable areas may likely jump out at you!
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Location And Lifestyle:
Have there been four or more burglaries in your neighborhood in the last few years?
Do you live a few blocks from a major highway or an adjacent wooded area?
Is your home unoccupied at regular times each day?
Do you have unusually valuable jewellery, artwork, collections, or electronic equipment in your home?
Do you live on a cul-de-sac?
Does your neighborhood lack a program for keeping an eye out for criminal activity?
An answer of yes to any of the above means you could have an above average risk of a break in. Now is the time to evaluate and improve the security of your home and neighborhood.
Have there been four or more burglaries in your neighborhood in the last few years?
Do you live a few blocks from a major highway or an adjacent wooded area?
Is your home unoccupied at regular times each day?
Do you have unusually valuable jewellery, artwork, collections, or electronic equipment in your home?
Do you live on a cul-de-sac?
Does your neighborhood lack a program for keeping an eye out for criminal activity?
An answer of yes to any of the above means you could have an above average risk of a break in. Now is the time to evaluate and improve the security of your home and neighborhood.