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 a third rate burglar who's mildly determined to get into your house will look for a key.

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
Evaluate Your Security Effectiveness With This Quiz:
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-and now is the time to evaluate and improve the security of your home and neighborhood.
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 stereo 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 a lot to a burglar casing homes in your neighborhood.  Make sure your home tells 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!

Our advice to our readers is to look at these areas,
before deciding whether to invest in an alarm.
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.
Alarm Devices Explained!

See A Step By Step Guide To Designing An Alarm
burglar alarm reviews and resources
Local Alarm Company Reviews, By State/Province
National Alarm Company Reviews A-L
National Alarm Company Reviews M-Z
More Home Security Resources On Alarm System Reviews.Com:
Home | Article Archive | Alarm Devices | Home Security Alarm Design | Before You Get A Quote | Cameras & CCTV | Crime Prevention | Evaluate Your Home Security | Just For Fun | National Alarm Reviews | Local Alarm Reviews | Review SubmissionSecuring Doors | Securing Windows
Contact Us
Sitemap
Privacy Policy
Copyright 2006-2008 Home Security
Home Security Reviews And Resources.
Alarm Basics | Articles | Design A System | Device Types | Reviews | Crime Prevention Tips | Evaluation | Security Camera
How secure is your home?  You want to improve your home's security, but you are not sure where to start.  Evaluating it, inside and out, with this quiz will give you a good overall security picture, and the weakest spots will likely jump out at you!