Having a house alarm doesn’t mitigate the need for responsible watchfulness. Following are some tips to ensure your home is safe and protected:
1. Be particularly vigilant during the holiday season because burglars know there are gifts in the house and also know homeowners are more distracted than usual.
2. The summer still rates as the most opportune time for thieves due to homeowners taking extended vacations and leaving windows open.
3. Lock yourself out (leaving someone inside) and see if you can get into the house without the use of a key—if you can, then so can a professional thief.
4. If you like dogs, consider getting one, because thieves will be less likely to break into your home if they have to deal with one.
5. Make sure all entrances are well lit at night.
6. When you go out for the evening, leave on a few lights as well as a radio to an all-talk radio station.
7. Do not put the packaging for your new HD 40-inch TV out on the curb; instead, take it to a recycling center.
8. Close the curtains when you’re out. If you want to display your lovely Christmas tree, you could also be showing a thief all the gifts stashed under the tree.
9. Don’t leave valuables in the obvious places, such as the underwear drawer; instead, invest in a safe or leave your valuables at the bank.
10. Have deliveries go to a neighbor if you can’t be home to receive them, or arrange to pick up packages at the delivery station’s main office.
11. Keep hedges trimmed so you don’t give burglars better cover. Gravel beds around the house also make it easier to hear anyone lurking outside.
12. Foster good relationships with your neighbors as they will be more likely to call in something suspicious. Also, give trusted neighbors a spare key rather than planting one in a flowerpot.
13. Make sure your doors are as strong as your locks. Entry doors should be made from solid wood or metal, not foam core. If you have sliding glass doors, place a pin or bar in the track.
14. When on vacation, arrange to have someone pick up your newspaper and mail, mow your lawn, and/or clear snow from your driveway and sidewalks. Consider also leaving a car parked in your driveway while you’re away.
15. Secure existing windows with removable eyebolts in the locks (built into the sash), locking scissor gates, or fixed metal grilles.
.gif)
.gif)
0 Responses So Far: