Here are some of the best home security tips we have found. Why do you need to be on guard? Because the FBI reports (https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/property-crime/burglarymain):
- Over 2 million burglaries are committed in the US each year.
- Of all burglaries, 60.5 percent involved forcible entry, 33.2 percent were unlawful entries (without force), and the remainder (6.3 percent) were forcible entry attempts.
- Burglaries of residential properties accounted for 73.9 percent of all burglary offenses.
Your home could be next!
Lock It Up
The first of the best home security tips is to lock it up. Seems simple. Yet many folks leave doors or windows unlocked and that invites a crime of opportunity.
- Therefore, all entrances, including service doors and gates, should have quality locks–preferably deadbolt. Check your:
- Front Door
- Rear Door
- Garage Door(s)
- Service Door(s)
- Patio Door
- Sliding Glass Door
- Gate
- Swimming Pool Gate
- Guest House Door(s).
- Don’t leave keys “hidden” outside the home. Leave an extra key with a trusted neighbor or colleague.
- Keep doors locked even when you or family members are at home.
- Have window locks installed on all windows. Use them.
- Lock louvered windows–especially on the ground floor.
- Have locks installed on your fuse boxes and external power sources.
- If you have window grilles and bars, review fire safety. Don’t block bedroom windows with permanent grilles if the windows may be needed for emergency egress.
Be Equipped
The next best home security tip is to be equipped. Because having “the right stuff” can help keep you safe and secure.
- If you have burglar or intrusion alarms, check and use them.
- Keep at least one fire extinguisher on each floor, and be sure to keep one in the kitchen. Also, show family members and household help how to use them.
- Periodically check smoke detectors and replace batteries twice a year when you adjust your clocks for Daylight Savings / Standard Time.
- Keep flashlights in several areas in the house. Check the batteries often, especially if you have children in your home. (Because they love to play with flashlights!)
- A family dog can be a deterrent to criminals. But remember, even the best watch-dog can be controlled by food or poison. Also, do not install separate “doggy doors” or entrances. They also can admit small intruders.
Family And Neighbors
Involving family and neighbors is another of the best home security tips.
- Know your neighbors. Develop a rapport with them and offer to keep an eye on each other’s homes, especially during trips.
- If you observe any unusual activity, report it immediately to your local authorities.
- Establish safe family living patterns. If you understand the importance of your contribution to the family’s overall security, the entire household will be safer.
- While at home, you and your family should rehearse safety drills and be aware of procedures to escape danger and get help.
- Educate family members and domestic help in the proper way to answer the telephone at home.
- Vary daily routines; avoid predictable patterns.
- Know where all family members are at all times.
If you take the time to observe these best home security tips, you might improve your odds and not become another crime statistic.