How to Improve Your Home's Security

A safe & happy home is a secure home and that begins with home security. Everyone knows someone who has been burglarized or worse, but not everyone knows how to avoid being a victim. Here are four steps toward making your home a more secure dwelling.

1. All site management begins with the perimeter. Fences are more than just a barrier. They designate your property line and establish the intent of privacy. This can be accomplished with a white picket fence or whatever. People can not claim ignorance if they are caught inside a fenced area. Lighting is the single best addition to your security. It is cheap and effective. If you live in a suburban area you probably already have some sort of street light or security light on a pole. Just remember, criminals don't like to work in well lighted areas. Another great security feature is a dog. It doesn't have to be big or vicious, but barking at strangers is highly prized. The final addition to your perimeter security should be signs. Signs warning of security alarms or dogs are quite effective, even when you have neither.

2. The next step to securing your home starts with the exterior. Once again, lighting is highly recommended. Motion activated lights strategically placed are cheap and effective. You also need to have sturdy doors with deadbolts. If you live in a high crime area, you may want to invest in security doors & windows. Lighting, while effective, does not work if there are windows or doors hidden from view. You can further protect your home by trimming shrubs or removing trees so there are no dark spaces for intruders to break in undetected. An alarm system wired to all your ground floor windows & doors is best, but if you can't afford one, you can fake it. Place stickers on doors/windows with an alarm warning. For those of you with the means, a few well placed security cameras are also great deterrents. In the event you are burglarized, video evidence is very effective in the apprehension of criminals. Just remember, store the video recorder in a panic room or some other hard to find area. One final observation, many people have very secure homes, but they leave a hidden key outside. If you do hide a key outside, then hide it well. Criminals will always check around doors, under mats, flower pots, etc. I recommend leaving a key with a trusted neighbor if necessary.

3. The interior of your home is our next area to cover. Once again, dogs are a great deterent to criminals. If an intruder hears a dog barking inside, they are very unlikely to attempt a burglary. Now, I have already mentioned a security alarm, but a true security system is what you need. This includes motion sensors at key intersections of your floor plan. This should also include a panic button to sound an audible alarm. A system monitored by a security company can provide emergency assistance in minutes. Whether or not you have a security system, I highly recommend the addition of a panic room. This is a hidden room in your home where you can store valuables or hide in the event of an intrusion. They can be as small as a closet and are well worth the investment. You can even construct your own. There are several companies on the internet that offer designs for a fee.

4. The fourth step in securing your home is entirely in your hands. You have to make a conscious effort to be more security minded. These are small suggestions, but they can make or break your security plan. You must avoid making your home an attractive target to criminals. Do not allow strangers in your home unless absolutely necessary. This means no traveling salesmen, Jehovah's Witnesses, pizza delivery boys, etc. They may be who they say they are or they may be casing the joint. There will be times that strangers must enter your home. Everyone has had a cable guy or plummer inside at one point or the other. When this happens, confine them to only those areas they actually need access to.

You also need to remove any valuables from plain sight. You can't move the big screen tv everytime there's a visitor, but you can hide cash, jewelry, or expensive art. I want to point out that most people are honest, but they also love to gossip and the guy they drink beer with may be a thief. As a matter of fact, you don't want your children's buddies spreading word of your expensive coin collection either. Don't be paranoid, but be aware of who's in your home and what they see. Next, get involved in your community's security. Start or participate in a neighborhood watch program. You can at least speak regularly with the neighbors and agree to watch each others home. If you go out of town, have a friend pick up your newspaper and mail. Nothing screams I am out of town like a pile of newspapers on your doorstep. In many areas you can also request police checks of your home while on vacations. Also, your answering machine message should never state that you are not home or out of town. The message should simply ask callers to leave a message. You never know who is on the other end of that line. Finally, in the event you are the victim of a home invasion, you should have photos & serial numbers for any valuables in your home. This will make insurance claims alot less problematic. Take my advice and stay safe.