Yards
Thick foliage provides the burglar with a place to work undetected. Keep shrubs away from all doors and windows. Large trees near the house should be well pruned so that the tree will not provide access to the second floor of the residence. Keep all ladders locked inside the garage when not being used. Make your home look like someone is there even when you are gone by having the grass cut in summer months and the snow removed from the sidewalk and driveway in winter months.
Security Devices
Protect your home with security devices, such as door and window alarms. Alarm systems do not need to be expensive. Consider installing a Dome Camera in your home. They are affordable and easy to install yourself.
SECO-LARM Indoor UFO Dome Camera
Dome Camera’s may be small but they are very effective and can cover a 360 degree radius surveillance area. Some Dome camera systems also come with automatic tracking intelligence and motion sensors.
When shopping for a dome camera do your homework as not all cameras are of the same quality. Here are a few camera’s I would recommend you check out.
Digital Watchdog Vandal Proof Dome Camera
This is a great camera for your backyard as it can record up to 50 feet away in total darkness or bright sunlight. It is vandal proof which means its indestructible even if someone smashes it, it will keep recording.
A great indoor camera you should consider is this Ganz H.264 HD Optimized Indoor IP Dome Camera
Always lock doors, windows, and gates.
- A “Thumb Turn Deadlock” can be used on all exterior doors where windows are not in or near the door. Exterior doors should be of “solid core” construction. The bolt should have at least a one inch “case hardened” throw and the strike plate must be attached securely through the door frame into the home structure using at least 1½ inch “case hardened” screws.
-Sliding Glass Doors: The most inexpensive way to secure a sliding glass door is to insert 1½” pan head (large head) sheet metal screws into the top of the door frame at both ends and in the middle. In addition, insert a dowel stick into the door track. This will keep the door from being lifted and removed from the track and from being forced open. The most effective protection for this type of door is a sliding bolt with a locking device.
-Double Hung Sash Windows: An easy, inexpensive way to secure your windows is to use the “pin” trick. Drill an angled hole through the top frame of the lower window partially into the frame of the upper window. Then insert a nail or an eyebolt. The window can’t be opened until you remove the nail. Make a second set of holes with windows partly open so you can have ventilation without inviting intruders. Eyebolts can provide strong resistance against jimmying. If you live in a high crime area, it might be best to use them.
-Casement or Louvered Windows: Removing the crank handle when the window is closed will offer some protection by preventing the entire window from being opened once one section is removed. When the handle is removed, keep it at least forty inches (40”) away from the window so that it is out of the burglar’s reach.home that could be eliminated by motion activated spotlights.
Mailbox
Do not display your name on the mailbox. A burglar will be able to locate your telephone number from it and call your house to see if you are home.
Garage
Remember to always keep your garage door closed. This will prevent thefts from your garage. When it is left open, a burglar can tell by the number of cars who is and who is not at home. Once a burglar is inside the garage, he can work on your house or property undetected.
Solid Doors
The insertion of an inexpensive door viewer will allow you to determine in advance whether the door should be opened for an otherwise unknown person ringing your bell.
Neighborhood Relations
Your best security device is your neighbors. Arrangements should be made with your neighbors to report any person or condition which is not consistent with the neighborhood. Statistics show that in neighborhoods where residents are concerned with their mutual safety crime rates are lower. Advise your neighbors when you will be gone for an extended period of time. Ask them to report anything out of the ordinary to the police immediately.
Key Security
The best lock available will not prevent a burglary if the security of the key is neglected. An experienced burglar is aware of the common places a resident chooses to conveniently “hide” a house key. Instead of trying to hide a house key, trust a neighbor and give them the extra key for your house. Remember to remove other keys from your ring when cars are taken in for service and left in parking lots. Burglars have been known to duplicate house keys while the resident never realized what happened.
If you return home and you find a door or window unexpectedly left open or broke, do not go in. Call the police immediately.
* For more information on Dome Cameras please visit CablingPlus.com
