Lock Up for Home Security

Locking up doors and windows in our house, our cars and our garages is the first step in thwarting a burglar and making your home burglarproof. A burglar doesn't take vacations. In fact, a burglar waits for you and I to head out for our vacation so he, or she, can vacation in our house.

I haven't always been so concerned with locking the doors in our house, car and garage. I didn't even think of burglars or burglarproofing our home. We live in the center of the country, in the middle of Nebraska in a community of neighbors, family and friends. Few of us locked doors or windows in house, car or garage. Often garage doors were left open all day long as family came and went. We didn't often lock up or lock doors-unless we were going on vacation. Talk about not burglarproof!

When arms were heavy with packages from shopping, a locked door was an inconvenience. And, for the most part, unneeded. About the only time we locked our house was when we were leaving town for a day or week long vacation. Then we thought it prudent to lock doors to make things a bit more burglarproof. When we had shopping or meetings in town, we didn't lock up. Didn't lock doors. But times change. Burglarproof is a new watchword.

I know this sounds insane to those from cities used to locked doors for home security and car preservation, used to burglarproofing. Those in cities know the danger of not locking up, for many have had cars and homes broken into or know of those who have had a burglar in their home. But here in our town that hasn't been a problem, until recently. But this year, burglars have targeted cars, garages and homes. The police have asked residents to be aware how vulnerable they are and to take care to lock up doors and windows to keep would-be burglars at bay. There was more discussion about the need to burglarproof our homes, garages and car. Home security is a new priority for my husband and I.

As our society disintegrates, nothing and no place is safe, not even in mid-Nebraska. These days we're aware of home security and double check each night to make sure the doors are locked to both house and garage. My husband is also more conscious of putting the car into the garage at night. These are small steps to making our lives more burglarproof.

But whether we live in small town or large, rural area or city, there are steps we can take to protect ourselves and to promote home security. To burglarproof our homes, we need to think like a burglar. Sure, it may be inconvenient to lock the door when we're just running next door for a couple of minutes, but those few minutes may prove costly if a burglar is checking out the neighborhood. Some burglars are meticulous and spend time checking things out. Other burglars use chance moments to invade home, car or garage.

Putting things away helps keep your property burglarproof . A burglar looks for toys, especially expensive bikes, etc, left out in the yard. If there are expensive children's toys left out, just what might be inside? Think about those ipods, laptops, game machines. Do you really want a burglar to get his hands on your children's gifts or hard-earned items? Teach your children and teens to put things away and not give a burglar ideas. Home security may depend on it.

A burglar will look for evidence you aren't around or are on vacation. Is the mailbox overflowing with mail or are newspapers stacked up against the front door? These are signs you aren't around. Might as well invite a burglar in. When you are leaving for more than a day, burglarproof your home by having your mail and paper held or picked up by a friend or neighbor. A burglar just may watch to see how long it takes for you to bring that paper, mail or door flyer into the house. Is there time for the burglar to make his/her own entrance?

When our children were young, our son had a black lab who always gave warning when anyone was in the vicinity. We felt pretty safe with him in our back yard. Now, we have an elderly cat who needs lots of attention during the day. She doesn't help to burglarproof our home, but it means someone is often checking in to make sure she's OK. When we are on vacation, my brother and sister-in-law take care of her and see to our mail and papers and anything else that needs attention when we're gone. They keep the place looked after and locked up. For home security have friends, family or neighbors keep an eye on your property when you aren't around.

Getting to know your neighbors is another important aspect of home security and another way to burglarproof your home. Once you know your neighbors, it is natural to watch out for one another and one another's property. You get to know what is and isn't out of place in your neighborhood. Neighbors working together is important for home security and helps keep a burglar out of the neighborhood.

Burglarproof with lights, action, sound. A burglar looks for lights, media like the sound of TV-any signs someone is around. If they aren't sure, they may knock. If you answer, they may just ask directions and be on their way. If you don't answer, they have an invitation to enter. A burglar may also scout out your home as a handyman who comes to repair, paint or deliver something to your home. If someone does more than the job, like wonder around the house or asks to use the bathroom, beware. He may be checking out your house as a possible burglar. He may even be unlocking a window or two.

To help keep your home safe, make sure to check and double-check all windows as well as doors.

Not long ago as we headed to church, I reminded my husband to lock the front door. He did so, but commented a burglar was probably sleeping in. After all, it was Sunday morning. To burglarproof your home, keep in mind that, a burglar, unlike you and I, doesn't take vacations. Neither early morning nor bad weather will keep your home safe.

We can't completely protect our homes from from a determined burglar. Not even motion detectors and security systems can completely burglarproof our homes. Home security, then, begins with using common sense, by getting in the habit of keeping outside things put away, by making sure doors and windows are locked and by having someone watch your home and bring in mail and papers while you're on vacation. This will go a long way to persuade a would-be burglar to move on down the road. Home security and our peace of mind is worth a little extra time and inconvenience.