Help Keep Your Home Safe!
Last week I started a 4-part article on simple tricks to keep your home safe from burglars and unwanted intruders. So far we've discussed landscaping and lighting, and how you can use these elements to make your home a safer and more secure place to live. In part 2, I suggested using timers on indoor lights, to create the appearance that someone is at home.
Now I want to suggest more ways to utilize those times; and offer a few other simple tricks that will help keep the bad guys from stealing your possessions, or compromising your safety.
Timers
Timers are your friend! I know I mentioned them before, but they are very inexpensive ($12 to $60), maybe a little more for all the bells and whistles, but really – the cheaper ones are, in my opinion, the best value. They do the job (that is, make it appear that someone is home using the lights), and they are very simple to program and operate. Two or three timers, depending on the size of your home, and number of daily occupants, are all you’ll need. Think about where you should place them – what lights are commonly used in your home when you are there, i.e.; a living room or family room where you hang out and watch TV at night, or perhaps a bedroom where teenagers or other adults spend their evenings playing games or using computers. You might also want to consider adding one to a radio that is tuned into the station you listen to while getting dressed in the morning, or while fixing dinner at night.
Doors and Windows
Burglars like to get into your house as quickly as possible, so making that more difficult may cause them to give up and go on down the street. Sometimes a simple sign, placed near the door, stating that “this home is protected by…” will cause a burglar to choose another target. If it doesn’t, a sturdy, solid core wood, or metal door should always be used for entryways – even the door coming in from the garage.
Equip the doors with dead-bolt locks – at least 1-1 ½” dead bolt, with a reinforced metal box strike. Using 3” screws to secure the strike box will make sure it is firmly attached to the door frame, and not just the door jam. Installing a “peek hole” in all outer doors will allow you to see who’s there before you open and let them in.
If you have a patio door, even if it does have a sturdy lock, you should also have a metal bar, or thick wooden dowel (old broom handle) that fits into the middle track to keep the door from being opened.
Use your window locks!! Whether you are leaving home for a short time, several days, or just going to bed at night; your windows should be closed and locked. Most thieves will try to gain entry from a window, so don’t make it easy for them. If you are using the window for ventilation, equip it with a metal bar or heavy wooden dowel placed in the top half of the window that will allow you to open it 6 or 7 inches, but no more. And if you have old wooden framed windows with no locks, there are many inexpensive window locks available that are simple to install – just consider the style that is best for you. Some of them require the use of a key or even a small screw-in stop; so if you’re not good at keeping track of small gadgets like that, consider one of the other options. And don’t forget about your basement windows – they are very attractive to a thief because of their location. Go online, or consult your home improvement expert to find the best window security solutions that fit your budget.
Also consider the type of screen that is covering your window. Many windows have screen wire that is fairly easy to rip open, especially older screens that already have some small tear or hole, so you may want to replace those with a stronger variety of aluminum or fiberglass screen – or even consider replacing those screens with a heavier frame security screen.
And keep your garage door closed - even when you are home!! Many reported thefts are taken from an open garage, even while the home owners are present.
Additional Options
There are a couple of additional gadgets that are worth mentioning that aren’t too expensive. First is the fake TV (or TV simulation lamp). This is one I might actually considering spending the money on, as it has great reviews, and really isn’t any more expensive than a cheap DVD player – about $35. This gadget simulates the glow from a TV, and uses no more energy than a night light. The random movement of light glowing through a curtain or closed blind gives the illusion that someone is home watching TV – especially when used in a darkened room.
The second gadget you may already have, but probably never thought of using it in this way, is your car alarm - especially if you live alone, or are going to be alone for a night or two. Carry the remote for your car alarm to bed with you and keep it on the nightstand. If you hear a noise, and are unsure of what it may be, just press the button and turn on your car alarm. You can always turn it off as soon as you are sure things are safe, but it will certainly help to scare off any unwanted intruder without you leaving the bedroom!
Lastly, always keep things stored away that could aid an intruder in gaining entry to your home; such as ladders left out from cleaning the gutters or windows, or crates, boxes, or anything that could be stacked up to climb into an upper window. Be smart, and take a few minutes to look at your home through the eyes of a thief. What is the quickest way to enter this home, what can I use to make it easier to break into, and where can I hide if someone comes by? Protect your family and you possessions – not the bad guys!
*Watch for the last part of this article to learn
simple ways your neighbors can help you protect your home.
Timers
Timers are your friend! I know I mentioned them before, but they are very inexpensive ($12 to $60), maybe a little more for all the bells and whistles, but really – the cheaper ones are, in my opinion, the best value. They do the job (that is, make it appear that someone is home using the lights), and they are very simple to program and operate. Two or three timers, depending on the size of your home, and number of daily occupants, are all you’ll need. Think about where you should place them – what lights are commonly used in your home when you are there, i.e.; a living room or family room where you hang out and watch TV at night, or perhaps a bedroom where teenagers or other adults spend their evenings playing games or using computers. You might also want to consider adding one to a radio that is tuned into the station you listen to while getting dressed in the morning, or while fixing dinner at night.Doors and Windows
Burglars like to get into your house as quickly as possible, so making that more difficult may cause them to give up and go on down the street. Sometimes a simple sign, placed near the door, stating that “this home is protected by…” will cause a burglar to choose another target. If it doesn’t, a sturdy, solid core wood, or metal door should always be used for entryways – even the door coming in from the garage.Equip the doors with dead-bolt locks – at least 1-1 ½” dead bolt, with a reinforced metal box strike. Using 3” screws to secure the strike box will make sure it is firmly attached to the door frame, and not just the door jam. Installing a “peek hole” in all outer doors will allow you to see who’s there before you open and let them in.
If you have a patio door, even if it does have a sturdy lock, you should also have a metal bar, or thick wooden dowel (old broom handle) that fits into the middle track to keep the door from being opened.
Use your window locks!! Whether you are leaving home for a short time, several days, or just going to bed at night; your windows should be closed and locked. Most thieves will try to gain entry from a window, so don’t make it easy for them. If you are using the window for ventilation, equip it with a metal bar or heavy wooden dowel placed in the top half of the window that will allow you to open it 6 or 7 inches, but no more. And if you have old wooden framed windows with no locks, there are many inexpensive window locks available that are simple to install – just consider the style that is best for you. Some of them require the use of a key or even a small screw-in stop; so if you’re not good at keeping track of small gadgets like that, consider one of the other options. And don’t forget about your basement windows – they are very attractive to a thief because of their location. Go online, or consult your home improvement expert to find the best window security solutions that fit your budget.
Also consider the type of screen that is covering your window. Many windows have screen wire that is fairly easy to rip open, especially older screens that already have some small tear or hole, so you may want to replace those with a stronger variety of aluminum or fiberglass screen – or even consider replacing those screens with a heavier frame security screen. And keep your garage door closed - even when you are home!! Many reported thefts are taken from an open garage, even while the home owners are present.
Additional Options
There are a couple of additional gadgets that are worth mentioning that aren’t too expensive. First is the fake TV (or TV simulation lamp). This is one I might actually considering spending the money on, as it has great reviews, and really isn’t any more expensive than a cheap DVD player – about $35. This gadget simulates the glow from a TV, and uses no more energy than a night light. The random movement of light glowing through a curtain or closed blind gives the illusion that someone is home watching TV – especially when used in a darkened room.The second gadget you may already have, but probably never thought of using it in this way, is your car alarm - especially if you live alone, or are going to be alone for a night or two. Carry the remote for your car alarm to bed with you and keep it on the nightstand. If you hear a noise, and are unsure of what it may be, just press the button and turn on your car alarm. You can always turn it off as soon as you are sure things are safe, but it will certainly help to scare off any unwanted intruder without you leaving the bedroom!
Lastly, always keep things stored away that could aid an intruder in gaining entry to your home; such as ladders left out from cleaning the gutters or windows, or crates, boxes, or anything that could be stacked up to climb into an upper window. Be smart, and take a few minutes to look at your home through the eyes of a thief. What is the quickest way to enter this home, what can I use to make it easier to break into, and where can I hide if someone comes by? Protect your family and you possessions – not the bad guys!
