No More Thieves

While you are out of town on vacation or even just overnight, an unguarded, unprotected home is a sitting target for burglars. Alarm systems and motion detectors are invaluable as far as warding of crime while you’re away, however, if these are the only precautions you’re taking, there’s still a lot more risk you could easily eliminate, ensuring both the safety of your property and ease of mind. When you’re out of town you are less in control, so it’s best to be prepared in case the house sitter forgets to reactivate the alarm or there’s some sort of malfunction. Be sure to turn off the coffeemaker, dial back the air conditioner or whatever other to-dos you would normally check off before leaving for any sizeable chunk of time, but add these tips to the list, just to be safe.

1. Use Timers Timers are often built in to home electronics so that they can be programmed to turn on and off automatically. Lights, televisions and radios turning on and off sporadically throughout the day gives the illusion that the house is occupied even if it’s completely empty. It has long been recommended to leave a few lights on, but timed lights work even better because observant thieves may notice the house lighting patterns are unchanged. It also saves on utility bills upon your return. (more…)

Out of town trips are not the only time your home is vulnerable to break in or intrusion. Daytime burglary was not created out of thin air by screenwriters for Home Alone 3; it comes with real world precedent. During the day, homeowners are less concerned with the possibility of break in, making it more likely alarm systems will not be programmed and further precautions simply ignored. Meanwhile, a lot of working adults are out of the house for a large portion of the daylight hours, leaving their possessions vulnerable. Here are a few home protection suggestions to help keep your home safe no matter what time or occasion.

1. Invest in back up locks Locking your door can only go so far as a lot of burglars are accomplished lock picks, even if it’s not a skill that can go on a resume. A lock beyond the simple door lock, in addition to the common deadbolt lock, can ultimately thwart intruders who intend to gain entry in this manner. Doorknob and deadbolt locks are traditionally positioned around waste level on the door and are often within arm’s length of a window. This is poor placement as once this window is broken they are suddenly in reach. Place the third lock far away from breakable glass and in a different position than the other two locks. (more…)