Reduce Your Chances of Being the Victim of a Residential Burglary
Ask anyone who has had their home burglarized and they will tell you it is one of the most uncomfortable experiences they have ever had. Not only is there a loss of property, there is a profound feeling of having their personal privacy and the sanctity of their home violated. Your home is supposed a safe haven where you can feel safe and secure. While it is impossible to make any home "Burglar Proof" you can take measures to increase the security of your home and make it less of a target for criminals.
Home Burglary Prevention Tips
Use the Right Locks
Not all locks are created equal. True, newer deadbolt lock sets will meet the basic requirements you are looking for, there are some features you should consider. One method used by burglars is grabbing the the outside casing of the lock assembly with large pliers or a pipe wrench and twisting it apart. To combat this, some locks have an outer assembly collar that free-spins around the exposed portion of the exterior lock. You also want to look for a lock that is "Bump-resistant." "Bumping" is a phenomenon that started back in the late 1990's where a criminal files a key a special way that with some practice of a specific technique, will unlock most locks that use the same brand of key. It is also important to make sure the lock is properly installed based on the type of door and door jamb you have. If the both are not properly reinforced, or if the wrong strike plate is used, the strength of the lock can be negatively impacted. And, if the lock does not fully engage, it can be defeated much more easily. If you are not 100% sure of how to install a lock, hire a professional.
Secure Sliding Doors
Consider doubling up on auxiliary locks for sliding patio doors. Instead of using a piece of wood in the track, invest in a metal bar with a hinged attachment at one end and a receiver at the other. There are a couple of tricks experienced criminals know to easily defeat the old broomstick in the track method. The second auxiliary lock you should consider is a pin lock that gets installed in the top rail of the door. When properly installed, the pin lock will also make it much more difficult for a criminal to pry the door up over the bottom track. A great, but costly, measure is to install hurricane-rated glass panels. This will not only protect your property from storm damage, it will also make it nearly impossible for a burglar to compromise the glass and make entry.
Install and Use an Alarm
Just having an alarm is not enough. Make sure ever member of your household get in the habit of arming it when they should. Even if your alarm system is not monitored (the ideal situation), a loud audible alarm goes a long way in stopping a burglar in their tracks. The minimum is an alarm with sensors on all the exterior doors and windows. If within your budget, motion sensors and glass break detectors are worthwhile additions.
Close the Garage Door
A favorite for a criminal is an open garage door. They can simply walk in and help themselves to whatever is sitting around. It is also important to remember the door leading from your garage to the interior of the home is usually not nearly as strong as an exterior door, and many times they do not even have a deadbolt on them. If this is the case at your home, upgrading this door to be as strong as any exterior door would be a good idea.
Inspect Window Locks at Least Twice a Year
Window locks have a decent chance of failing after a few years of use. Make it a habit to inspect them at least twice a year to make sure they are catching properly.
Be Mindful of Landscaping
When landscaping your home, make sure you are not providing locations for a criminal to hide while trying to gain entry into your home. Tall hedges in front of windows, or a privacy hedge that obscures the view of your house can be very inviting to a burglar since they do not want to be seen breaking into your home. The same goes for fences and decorative walls. With extra privacy comes more opportunities for a criminal to avoid detection.
Use Lighting as a Deterrent
lights that remain on all night in the front of the home can decrease the appeal of your home to a burglar by increasing the chances of detection. A great way to manage these lights is by the use of photocells that automatically turn the lights on at dusk, then back off at dawn. Motion sensor lights in area around the house not normally illuminate will add an extra layer of protection at night.
Not all locks are created equal. True, newer deadbolt lock sets will meet the basic requirements you are looking for, there are some features you should consider. One method used by burglars is grabbing the the outside casing of the lock assembly with large pliers or a pipe wrench and twisting it apart. To combat this, some locks have an outer assembly collar that free-spins around the exposed portion of the exterior lock. You also want to look for a lock that is "Bump-resistant." "Bumping" is a phenomenon that started back in the late 1990's where a criminal files a key a special way that with some practice of a specific technique, will unlock most locks that use the same brand of key. It is also important to make sure the lock is properly installed based on the type of door and door jamb you have. If the both are not properly reinforced, or if the wrong strike plate is used, the strength of the lock can be negatively impacted. And, if the lock does not fully engage, it can be defeated much more easily. If you are not 100% sure of how to install a lock, hire a professional.
Secure Sliding Doors
Consider doubling up on auxiliary locks for sliding patio doors. Instead of using a piece of wood in the track, invest in a metal bar with a hinged attachment at one end and a receiver at the other. There are a couple of tricks experienced criminals know to easily defeat the old broomstick in the track method. The second auxiliary lock you should consider is a pin lock that gets installed in the top rail of the door. When properly installed, the pin lock will also make it much more difficult for a criminal to pry the door up over the bottom track. A great, but costly, measure is to install hurricane-rated glass panels. This will not only protect your property from storm damage, it will also make it nearly impossible for a burglar to compromise the glass and make entry.
Install and Use an Alarm
Just having an alarm is not enough. Make sure ever member of your household get in the habit of arming it when they should. Even if your alarm system is not monitored (the ideal situation), a loud audible alarm goes a long way in stopping a burglar in their tracks. The minimum is an alarm with sensors on all the exterior doors and windows. If within your budget, motion sensors and glass break detectors are worthwhile additions.
Close the Garage Door
A favorite for a criminal is an open garage door. They can simply walk in and help themselves to whatever is sitting around. It is also important to remember the door leading from your garage to the interior of the home is usually not nearly as strong as an exterior door, and many times they do not even have a deadbolt on them. If this is the case at your home, upgrading this door to be as strong as any exterior door would be a good idea.
Inspect Window Locks at Least Twice a Year
Window locks have a decent chance of failing after a few years of use. Make it a habit to inspect them at least twice a year to make sure they are catching properly.
Be Mindful of Landscaping
When landscaping your home, make sure you are not providing locations for a criminal to hide while trying to gain entry into your home. Tall hedges in front of windows, or a privacy hedge that obscures the view of your house can be very inviting to a burglar since they do not want to be seen breaking into your home. The same goes for fences and decorative walls. With extra privacy comes more opportunities for a criminal to avoid detection.
Use Lighting as a Deterrent
lights that remain on all night in the front of the home can decrease the appeal of your home to a burglar by increasing the chances of detection. A great way to manage these lights is by the use of photocells that automatically turn the lights on at dusk, then back off at dawn. Motion sensor lights in area around the house not normally illuminate will add an extra layer of protection at night.