Home Security: How to make yours better


Know the different ways to ensure Home security

Home security has become a big issue for American families as home burglaries have become on the rise. Discovering a break-in makes the victim experience a sense of violation.

Nearly 20% of homes have security systems in America. However, now this is anticipated to increase in the coming 5 years. Experts believe that homes fitted with security systems will increase by around 64%. There will be increased awareness driving this increase. Conversely, there are many more factors, such as fire alarm systems that are becoming an integral part of home security systems.

The need for a home security is not for families with children only. It is required even for a single-person household, especially if the frequently travel, and the not-to-miss retired people. Installing home security systems will ensure peace of mind.

Different ways of ensuring safety from burglary

Many resources and ways are informing ways to discourage break-ins. Some work.  Here are a few ways to ensure the safety of your home and more security from break-ins.

Tip1: Check Your Home Areas for Safety

The foremost step is to secure your home by ensuring it is all safe against intruders.

Front Door: Break-ins mostly occur through the front door. Invest in a solid deadbolt lock. Ensure the front door is locked most times. Place an outdoor light throughout the night so that the front door area is illuminated.

Windows: Get sash locks installed for the windows. Add locks to windows downstairs and add a wireless alarm system. It will scare away would-be intruders or burglars if anyone attempts opening. You can prevent break-ins and secure your home.

Sliding Doors: Use glass sliding doors investing in a metal jammer. This is because break-ins around 20% occur through side doors, so ensure investing in a jammer as it deters would-be criminals.

Garage: Mount for your garage door an indoor lock. It will give extra security in case a criminal bypass the electronic garage door. Adding a side deadlock is a way of additional protection.

Basement: Secure the basement door and windows. Include motion activated lights so that prowlers have no hiding place. Also, secure second-floor entrances and windows with sash locks and defend your home from burglars

Tip 2: Ensure Safety when you are Away from Home

A burglar chooses a home especially when the home has no none. People traveling for a while ensure your home looks occupied, even in your absence for the safety of your home.

  • Put on lights throughout the house on times and it should turn off as normal routine. The timer should have battery backup and should not stop. Use timers even for radios and televisions.
  • Turn off the ringer of your home phone. Get calls forwarded as burglars will try to check if anyone is home.
  • Request your neighbors to pick the mails for you so that your pile of mails is not inviting burglars.

Tip 3: Difficulty to Hide

The main defense against burglary is lighting. Darkness is the best friend of a thief. Thick bushes and large trees are good hiding places to rob your home. Ensure trimming the bushes and next to your home place other thorny plants.

Ensure lighting all entrances. Provide motion lights protection as it gets activated on things moving around. This will come into the notice of your neighbors and they will take some action.

Tip 4:  Home Security System

You can ensure a burglar faces difficulty in entering a home by fitting a home security system. This will keep the burglar in check as he may be likely caught or seen. Your home security system should have a camera and 24/7 video monitoring and recording.

Buy a high-quality home security system and ensure the yard signs and window decals are also secure. Make your abode safer by placing signs having a security alarm around your home, and you will not become a victim.

Kids and Home Security

Worrying about the safety of your kids can be stressful. Parents you can now keep your kids safe, even without being around them everywhere. A home security system offers the required peace of mind, regardless of where you are. However, here are a few security systems features to consider, especially when kids are around.

Alarms
Installing on windows and doors an alarm system alerts you of suspicious activity. Choose an alarm that sounds like an audible alert and sends notice instantly to a monitoring center.  Create a passcode for your kids to remember, and them to use the system. This will keep false alarms away and allow them to enter home safely.

Cameras
Installing security cameras featuring high-storage capacity is useful. It is best to record continuously. The ongoing video surveillance helps monitor and track activities, even if you are not home.

Place cameras throughout your home and focus on potentially hazardous areas for your children. This should include the backyards, kids’ bedrooms, bedroom windows, pool areas, home entrance, and the stairs.

Sensors
Sensors provide extra security. Placing sensors helps detect intrusions and also to avoid environmental hazards. Important sensors worth buying are door and window sensors, carbon monoxide detectors, motion sensors, glass-breaking detectors, and smoke detectors.

Motion sensors, help ensure kids are not into any mischief. You may install the sensors in the medicine cabinets, gun safes, cleaning supply closets, pool gates, and more. It is recommended to set a real-time alert so that you know when it off-limit areas seek entry. Program audible prompts so that there is alert in case the window or door is opened. Even if you are in a different part or room in your house, it is helpful to check your children.

Placing sensors should be done with strategic importance. Position in decided location as there should not be unwanted detection. Keep the motion sensors above the height of the children so that false activation is avoided.

Remote Access
Giving remote access allows adjusting the settings of the security system through a tablet, mobile phone, or computer. It means you can open or lock the door for your children, stream video surveillance, receive sensor activity alerts, and more. Keep an eye on the remote access at all times as your children may be tempted, resulting in unwanted chaos.

Things that robbers look for in your house

Burglary is what happens suddenly and it is not only the night times that sneaky characters try to seek access into your house.  Majority burglaries do not use a weapon or involve violence, yet victims feel traumatized after a break-in of their house. It is not related to the property loss, but also for the uneasy feeling that a criminal entered their home and there is the gripping fear that there is a possibility of their return.

Burglars break into to find something valuable and their timeframe for burglary is within few seconds to minutes, at the most 8 to 10 minutes. Burglars know what they need and the things that they look for in your house are:

Easy to find items such as:

  • Cash it is portable and untraceable
  • Guns that can be sold easily and fetch a nice price
  • Small electronics such as gaming systems, laptops, and tablets. Though these items are not easy to carry in pockets, they fit a wheeled or small bag or suitcase.
  • Jewelry that is easy to pawn or sell and of course to carry.
  • Liquor stealing is when they know your tastes are high-end. Thus, lock up the valuable bottles. Generally, thieves do not come for liquor, but if there is a free bottle available, they will not miss it.
  • Medication: Medications that are prescription drugs are easy to carry and also fetch a high value.

Burglars know the place to find it
Burglars are aware that valuables are kept mostly in bedrooms. This is also the first stop for burglars. It is irresistible to miss the fancy jewelry box. They check the closet for cash, guns, shoes, expensive clothing, and a handy suitcase to take the loot. The medicine cabinet is never-to-miss location.

Kid’s bedroom is stocked with tablets, computers, electronic games, and most sought-after items. Burglars do not miss visiting kids’ bedroom, the home office, family living room, or study. These are the places that mostly have more electronics and personal financial information, besides home safe.

A burglar may take a detour through the garage or basement if there is enough time. If they can get their hands-on power tools or any other small items that are easy to pawn, it is sure to get stolen.

Walkthrough and try to see with ‘new eyes.’ You will notice the bedroom jewelry box may be inviting as steal me or the unlocked gun case. Even the prescription bottles in the kitchen or bath unlocked or the kitchen counter having credit cards and bank statements piled as unopened mail.

Look for all the items that will tempt burglars and ensure safety.

Things that are not legal to do to protect your house

Installing security equipment means there is a need for proper training and licensing, besides legal requirements knowledge to ensure proper security installation. Regrettably, there may be many security installations that fail to meet the legal requirements.

There are many situations where the security measures need to be bought to meet the legal standards and this comes with a need to spend big time and money.

Occasionally, considering a DIY security installation project may be tempting, but it can be against the law. Companies installing equipment without proper licenses are also considered illegal. There is a need for security to abide by the law. However, the wrong side in security reasons will cause trouble to you and it is a must to stop it.

Installation of security system
Homeowners can install burglar detection equipment to see how it fits. There is a need to follow legal guidelines to ensure proper installation. Illegal installations of home security will put you into trouble and the home security company will also face the burn of legal.

Additionally, it leads to compromising home security. Installing the home security equipment surpassing the legal guidelines is a compromised quality. It can turn out to be a less effective security system.

Unlicensed Installation
Technicians should have an electrical license issue by state. Additionally, installing home security should be done after obtaining the contractor’s license. Apart from the electrical license, people wishing to engage in the repairing, installing, selling or maintaining security systems, door entry systems, access control systems, or CCTV systems should get from the Public Safety Department an S-license.

Companies without a proper license are considered illegal to work and homeowners falling prey unknowingly can result in sub-par installation. It leads to uninspected security equipment for quality and safety. Installation done with a proper permit is recommended as inspectors will ensure the equipment and wiring meets the local safety codes.  The legal code insists on installing burglar alarms.

Surveillance against the Law
If you plan to install home surveillance, and placement of cameras, it is important for security and legally.  Installing in your home a surveillance system can be useful as the camera records the things happening in your absence in your property. Thus, there is a need to install cameras with proper permissions. They should meet the local guidelines.

Installing using improper technology or in wrong places can be a threat and lead to acting legally against you. Cameras installed illegally is observed as a criminal case. Thus, avoid them.

Dummy Cameras
Installing dummy cameras is ineffective and criminals know the difference. Besides installing fake cameras invite potential legal action.

Invasive Cameras
Customers installing in the wrong locations the cameras can turn illegal security measures. In privacy places installing cameras is against law. In places such as bedrooms, bathrooms, changing rooms, and other similar locations are legally not permitted to have cameras installation.

Installing cameras capturing footage from your bedrooms invites legal trouble. Outdoor cameras giving a view of the street and your neighbors lawns small parts is acceptable. However, if you include the footage behind the fence of your neighbor or their window, it can cause legal issues.

What to do if someone breaks in your house when you’re at home

Every year, there are burglaries over 2 million occurring in America. Residential homes are the main target. Burglars aim to steal your belongings and do not have any intention to harm you, but it is terrifying to realize someone is in your house. You should know how to handle when someone is breaking into your house right when you are at home. Here are the steps:

1. Confirm their presence
There are times that your imagination starts running wild. You may have watched or heard something scary and it must be pumping your mind. It can be some dream-chasing your thoughts.

Whatever, if you are awake and realize you heard something, listen closely, do not move, and take a deep breath. Observe, if you can hear some footsteps, door opening sound, breaking glass, or shuffling of furniture or objects. Verify someone is breaking in your house and proceed to this next step.

2. Stay put
Charging down the stairs with a gun or a cricket bat may be a tempting action, but you may end endangering your life. It is not of any use to know if the burglar has come to harm you or to steal your TV. Burglars come to steal but result against homeowners in violent crimes. Do not attempt to fight, choose to proceed to the next step.

3. Call the police
On confirming someone is inside your home, call the police. Keep your voice low and speak slowly. If the intruder is close, use 911 function text for help. It was introduced for the hearing-impaired assistance, but you can use it. The response time is 10 minutes. Enter the zip code it supports 911 texts. Thus, be prepared during a break-in.

4. Be quiet
Try to be quiet than being inquisitive to know the intruder type. Maybe they will run off if you make noise or can be combative. Even if you wish to move, do quietly. It is alright to lose your electronics and not your life.

5. Alert your housemates
In case your family or friends live with you, you should inform them by text or through cell phone quietly. Keep your children calm and lock their doors. Do not make noise, do not panic and locking doors keeps the intruders out. If you have your parents, do not inform them, they may get alarmed and result in chaos.

6. Secure your pets
Having a dog will ensure no intruder problem. Dogs are alert, but if it failed to alert you and barks after you are awake, try to calm your pet and keep them with you. It is because in case they smell something and run to the intruder, your pet may be harmed.

7. Decide properly if you want to escape
If you have a gut feeling that the intruder may hurt you, try to escape instantly. Look for safe exit through windows or hide in places to reach your getaway. Hang tight and do not wait for a longer time for any arrival help. In the meantime, ensure personal safety to the best.

8. Keep your weapons close
The laws are different in each state. If you have a weapon or a gun, keep it with you always in your bedroom. Be aware of your rights. You can use under self-defense clause, yet knowing the safety laws is best. Educate yourself before using a weapon or gun.

9. Stay calm
It is hard to keep your adrenaline from rushing or your heart rate down when there is a break-in of your house. However, panicking clouds your ideas and you make mistakes. Control your nerves, stay calm, take deep breaths. It gives oxygen to your brain and time to think before making or taking any decision.

10. Take notes
If you can see the intruder, recollect everything. Ensure to get an account of the intruder’s height, weight, attire, and gender, so that police can track them soon.

A break-in is a traumatic and unnerving experience. Being prepared in such situations helps tremendously. You must memorize the above steps and practice at home the break-in protocol, the same as a fire drill. Only then, you can be ready when someone breaks-in while you are at home.

What to do on the outside of your house for security

A newly bought home tempts one to decorate and it is fun, but setting up security is essential. Home security must be given top priority. You can enjoy inside your house when the outside of your house has security features installed. Some of the top tips to ensure home safety and the burglars should be informed as a part of your safety. 

1. Make it apparent there is a big dog
Most burglars keep away and do not try to enter the houses that have a large dog.  It is immensely used to have a dog so that the worry of being burglarized is ruled out. Without fail add the sign of ‘Beware of dog’ and this certainly works in deterring the attempt of burglars.

2. Keep the TV on
You cannot always be at home, but to make the burglars believe you are home is to keep the TV on. It is safe to keep the radio or TV home. The burglars like to do things stealthily and are not ready to mess with people when they are in. keeping the radio or TV on will restrict the chances of burglary and when they screen the TV light flashing, they will move on to their next target house.

3. Use a safe
A common fact is burglars come for jewelry and money and this is the main reason attracting break-ins. The burglars go straight looking for their items in the master bedroom. They are aware of the storage places. Instead, you can protect your valuables in a small safe. This is an investment that is to be done once and you can safeguard your investment for your lifetime.

4. Motion-sensor lights
Motion-sensor lights are an ideal way of scaring off burglars. Just as someone tries to creep or break into your house, a bright light coming shining close to their face is sure to make them run away. There is no need for you to be at home to turn on or off the light as it is motion-sensored.

Burglars are not going to wait to find out about the lights. It is recommended to install these lights that brighten on noticing any motion. Use energy-efficient fluorescents and install in such a way that it lights up with sensitivity and not with every gust of wind.

5. Fortify your windows
Fortifying your doors and windows with security laminate is important. Anyone trying to break the glass may end up breaking their hands, but the windows won’t give in. this is the best way to keep the bad guys outside and to keep a check before they enter.

6. Get an alarm
Protect your home by setting an alarm. Installing an alarm system is easier for you and not for the burglars to get in. The alarm sets on when there is an intruder and invites the attention of more people. Thus, the burglars stay away from houses having an alarm system installed.

7. Proper lighting
The yard or street lighting keep potential criminals out and is an efficient way of keeping criminals at bay. Neighborhoods having sufficient lighting on the street means any suspicious activity will be visible immediately. If you find the lighting is insufficient, push the local officials for better lighting.

8. Demarcate your property
A gate, fence or a wall enveloping your home gives others an idea of the starting place of your property. Thus, you can keep intruders outside by having a wall or fence and this also increases your security, giving a safer feel. It allows you to discern trespassers with ease.

Keep tall trees away from the window as it gives a safe place to climb or hide, or even to reach the backyard. Keep foundation plants so that no one can hide behind it. The foundation plants do not take up heights, they grow low. Use thorny plants under the fences, around the backyard perimeter, and under windows.

Even, if burglars attempt jumping over the fence, they will land on a thorny bush and it will deter them from entering the backyard. However, remember to avoid planting tall plants or shrubs near the front entrance and you cannot see clearly who is entering.

9. Be vigilant
Burglaries’ common time is not always at night. They are bold enough during the daytime. Break-ins mostly occur at day time, when you are at your workplace and the kids in their school. Thus, arm your alarm system so that it is vigilant in the mornings when you are not home.

10. Don’t say too much
Do not speak about your home security or holiday plans. Be wary of people asking about your schedule, security equipment, or home layout. You may consider some information less important, but it may be critical for a break-in plan. CWP

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References:

https://www.littlethings.com/how-to-keep-your-house-safe-from-burglars/4
https://northeastsecuritysolutions.com/avoiding-illegal-home-security-measures/
https://www.safewise.com/blog/what-to-do-when-an-intruder-is-in-your-home/
https://simplisafe.com/blog/what-to-do-if-youre-home-during-a-break-in
https://www.lovemoney.com/news/90013/improving-your-security-top-tips-to-make-your-home-safer-on-a-budget
https://ordinarytraveler.com/protect-home-while-on-vacation

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