Making Your Home More Secure

Burglary can happen at anytime and during any season of the year. However, it is during the summer months of July and August that most homeowners keep their doors and windows open and use their screen doors to enjoy evening breezes. Times like these create potentially dangerous situations because your home becomes unsafe when you leave or when you are asleep if your doors and windows are left open.

Doors and windows are not the only ways that your home might be unsafe. There are many poor security measures involving lighting, windows, and doors that can lead to seriously unfortunate situations. Thankfully there are some very simple ways to secure your home better which include alarm systems, better locks, more adequate lighting and other safe practices. Below you will find a list of some remodeling options that will improve your security during any season.

The important thing to remember when securing your home is that thieves are opportunistic and will spot out houses that seem undefended or have doors open and windows that aren't locked. With this in mind, the first thing you should do is check your windows and door locks. If your windows are old they may not be able to lock properly. You may want to consider investing in new replacement windows that lock securely. It is also a good idea to install windows with catches that prevent people from opening them more than a few inches. With new windows you will also be able to enjoy the benefits of greater energy efficiency which can save you a great deal of money.

Another way to defend your home against burglary is to install an alarm system. However, alarm systems offer little in the way of physical obstacles to thieves. But they do offer an important mental obstacle. For example, if you live in a neighborhood where police response times are slow, the noise and attention of an alarm system will usually scare the burglar away. If the police response is fast, the odds of that thief getting caught are high. Keep in mind, alarm systems for the home can be complicated and expensive, so it's essential to determine your security needs before you begin consulting with alarm companies. You should also know that the simpler, less expensive alarm devices can often be easily disabled by a burglar.

The above home security options are geared toward making your actual home more secure. But there are additional ways to tighten up security even if you already have new windows and an alarm system. Go back to what we mentioned earlier about how thieves are opportunistic. Not only are they spotting out open windows and looking to avoid loud alarm noises, they are also looking for homes that appear vacant so that they can take advantage of unlocked doors. As a result, it is critical that you make your home look occupied at all times. Do so by taking care of your mail and newspapers or having someone else pick it up while you are away, keep some lights on at all times, leave a TV or radio on, and try to have a car out front or in your driveway at all times.

Some other helpful home security tips include:

• Etch your social security number or drivers’ license number on the metal surfaces of valuables.
• Take photographs and record serial numbers of all valuables.
• Keep a log of jewelry and other valuables. Store the logs in a safe deposit box or with a relative.
• Install motion detection lighting on your yard and porch areas. Keep in mind, exterior lighting should allow 100 foot visibility.
• Install a fence to create more obstacles for anyone attempting to break into your house.
• Use high quality Grade-1 or Grade-2 locks on exterior doors. Such locks resist twisting, prying, and lock-picking attempts.
• Use a solid core or metal door for all entrance points.
• Insert a wooden dowel or stick into the track of sliding glass doors to prevent or limit movement. Also look for "charley bars" and various track-blockers.
• Secure all accessible windows and make sure someone cannot reach through an open window and unlock the door.
• Use anti-lift devices to prevent windows from being lifted out.
• Get to know all your adjacent neighbors and invite them into your home to establish trust. When you are away you can agree to watch out for each other's homes.

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