Holidays are a precious time of the year.
They are also a time when we make our homes the most vulnerable to
break-ins, theft, and home invasions.
Here are a few simple tips to help make your home less of a target.
So do these and relax this holiday season.
They are also a time when we make our homes the most vulnerable to
break-ins, theft, and home invasions.
Here are a few simple tips to help make your home less of a target.
So do these and relax this holiday season.
512.203.4200 Keith@KeithDubleTeam.com
Here is a more in depth list, brought to you by my friends at ADT Home Security Systems.
If exterior doors are
hollow-core, replace them with solid wood, fiberglass or steel.
· Make sure exterior door hinges are on the
inside rather than the outside - where an intruder can remove the pins and pull
the door out of the frame.
· If you have double-hung windows, bolt the
upper and lower sashes together or insert a metal bar in the track to prevent
opening.
· To secure sliding glass doors, add a bolt lock
or use a "rod" to block the door closed.
· According to statistics, the most common time
for burglary is between 8a.m. and noon, so get in the habit of locking all
doors and windows whenever you go out.
· Invest in high-quality, name-brand deadbolt
locks for all exterior doors.
· If you have a double-cylinder deadbolt that is
operated by a key both inside and out, keep the key near the door so every
family member can find it and exit quickly in case of fire.
· Alarm systems are an effective deterrent. Nine
out of ten convicted burglars agree they would avoid a house protected by an
alarm system. Security system decals and signs are also an effective deterrent.
· Never leave an answering machine message
indicating you're not at home. Instead, just say you "can't come to the
phone."
· Use timers to turn lights, televisions and
sound systems on and off at different times to give your home a "lived-in
look" when you are out.
· Install motion-detecting outdoor floodlights
around your home. Remember to mount them high enough to prevent intruders from
disabling them.
· If you have elderly or incapacitated friends
or relatives, check to make sure their security devices are all in good working
order.
· Don't let mail, newspapers or flyers
accumulate while you're away, tipping off criminals.
· Have the post office hold mail, have
newspapers suspended, and have a neighbor or friend clear away flyers.
· Use a UV pen to mark an ID number, like
your driver's license number, on valuables.
· Make an inventory of valuables in your
household and store it somewhere other than your home, such as in a safe
deposit box.
· Never open the door to a stranger.
· Install peepholes in all exterior doors so you
can identify whoever is outside. Do not rely on a door safety chain, because
these can be broken easily.
· Ask for I.D. from service representatives who
come to your home, and if they don't have it, check with their company to
verify identity before letting them in.
· When on vacation, leave a car in your driveway
or arrange for a neighbor to keep a car there and move it around from time to
time.
· Many garage door openers respond to common
codes, so follow the manufacturer's instructions to program yours with a unique
code no burglar's opener will match.
· Thieves always look in mailboxes, under
doormats and above doorways for keys. Don't make it easy for them to get into
your home.
· Don't put your name or address on your key ring,
because it might lead a thief right to your door with key in hand.
· Keep ladders locked away or out of sight.
· Don't put your trash out early if you are
going away, ask a neighbor to do it on the usual day.
· Keep valuables like laptops, cameras, MP3
players out of sight.
· Keep hedges and shrubs trimmed to reduce
hiding places for burglars.
· Ensure empty boxes placed outside for
recycling don't advertise the fact you have just bought something of value i.e.
TV, stereo, or electrical items. Cut these boxes down so you aren't giving away
details of anything that may be worth stealing.
· Beware of anyone loitering in the area and any
unfamiliar vehicles - record any details if you are suspicious and/or call the police.
Have safe and Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!
