Learn 3 Ls of Home Security: Locks, Lighting, Landscaping
By Elizabeth Betts Hickman

When you hear the word "security" these days, it tends to be connected with the airport or the nation as a whole, as in homeland security.

But what about your personal version of homeland security -- the security of your own house or apartment?

The good news is that there are things you can do to make your home less of a target.

It's a good idea to take basic precautions and take a critical look at what you're doing to make your home safer. Here are some things to consider according crime prevention officer Geoff Odom of Nashville, Tenn.

Timing

Odom notes many burglaries take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and of those, many of the homes aren't locked. So banish stereotypes that crime only happens at night, and lock your doors -- all of your doors, all of the time.

"We tell people to lock your doors while you're in your yard," said Odom, who points out that it would be simple for someone to walk up and ask directions or strike up a friendly conversation while you're out in your yard, distracted, while their partner helps themselves to your open home.

Likewise, if you're in an apartment, lock your doors every time you leave, even if it's just to run out to your car or switch the laundry over to the dryer in the laundry room.

Locks

"Alarms detect after-the-fact entry, whereas locks protect from entry," said security specialist Bill Overton.

While that certainly doesn't diminish the benefit of alarm systems, which are widely recommended by security experts, Overton points out that this piece of information he heard at a safety training seminar is something to remember: If you're in an apartment, you don't have as much control over your locks as you would in your house, but there are some things you can do.

For starters, ask and make sure the locks have been changed now that you're a new tenant. Look for apartment locks that use double-keyed, or double-cylinder deadbolts (meaning a key has to open the lock on either side). You don't want a deadbolt with a thumb latch that could easily be turned (and thus open the door) if someone broke a single pane of glass.

For fire safety, make sure a key stays on the inside of your home near the lock but not within reach if someone broke a pane and was reaching inside for a key.

And keep in mind that all locks aren't created equal, said Overton, who's often called after-the-fact, when someone is upgrading their locks after a break-in or security breach.

"Deadbolts come in a variety of qualities, from low to commercial-duty," he said. "Commercial equipment is made stronger, better and longer-lasting but it comes at a price."

At the very least, Overton suggests upgrading your deadbolts and buying high-quality sets that have large strike plates and two or three 4-inch screws.

"The first thing to do when you buy a house is to re-key the locks," said Overton, adding that it's not a bad idea to do this with newly constructed homes, too. "You don't know who has a key out there."

Quality residential locks start at about $20 and go up to $1,500 or so. For about $1,100, you can get a very sophisticated locking system with fingerprint technology. "You can program your whole family into it," explains Overton, noting that the advantages are no keys to hide, lose, or keep up with, and the ability to quickly enter a door without fumbling for your keys or losing awareness of your surroundings.

"For some of these homes, that's a mere drop in the bucket compared to what could be stolen," said Overton. "You have to consider what you are protecting."

Lighting

Lighting. "In my opinion, lighting is a very high deterrent," said Overton. He's not alone. Consistently,crime prevention experts point out that lighting is a key component to creating a safer perimeter around your home.

Outdoor lighting specialist Bob Lyons Sr. said that about half of his clients mention security as a motivation or benefit of having understated exterior lighting.

And the key is understated. Lyons notes that good outdoor lighting doesn't blind you if you step outside, like a spotlight focused on your front door, but rather it creates a low level of light that surrounds the entire area around the house. Furthermore, good exterior lighting fixtures are pretty much hidden day or night.

"If you light the house itself, people can drive by and you can see the house. It's a softly lit environment. If you drive by and see two bright lanterns on it (flanking the front door), that's the only thing you see on that house."

Landscaping

You probably haven't thought about landscaping as a crime deterrent, but it can be.

"We call that crime prevention through environmental design," said Odom, who notes that you don't want to create a fortress or look like you live in prison, but that you do want would-be thieves or criminals to cross your abode off their lists.

"Two things criminals need are will and opportunity," he said. "We can't change their will but we can certainly do something about the opportunity."

Trim your shrubs so that they don't block any portion of your windows. If you have a low window, consider planting a shrub with large spines underneath the window sill. Try to avoid trees, hedges or shrubs that conceal an entry door, or consider trimming lower limbs off a large tree so that there is a better view of the door.

You don't want to provide cover for predators.

If you're in an apartment, notice the landscaping and ask the management about areas that concern you. If you're considering moving to a specific apartment building or complex, drive through at night and notice the landscaping and how it contributes to or takes away from the overall safe appearance of the area.

Low-tech tips

Common sense advice to help ensure your home or apartment is safe and secure from crime prevention officer Geoff Odom.

• Alarm systems are a great deterrent. Keep in mind that just having the sign alone is a good deterrent, but having a monitored system can also provide other benefits, such as a separate fire alarm, a panic button if needed and the peace of mind that comes from entering your house, seeing the alarm intact and knowing nobody else is in the house.
• Think about things criminals don't like. "I always say there's nothing like a good pair of dirty size 11 work boots out front," Odom said. Likewise, "Beware of Dog" signs aren't a bad idea, either.
• Consider getting timers for your lights. "Maybe hook one up to a radio, as well as a light," Odom said. Talk radio is a good choice, since anyone who walks up to your house might hear muffled voices.
• Do your best to secure sliding-glass doors. They are easy to lift out of the tracks, even if you have a bar in the track. Consider getting the security bar that actually fits midway up the glass door. They tend to work the best.
• Keep windows closed and locked, especially at night, and especially on ground-level windows. "An open window on a ground-floor apartment is an invitation," said Odom. Investigate the various window locks that are available, and again, if you're in an apartment, ask the management about additional security options.

"You probably can't stop them but you can slow them down," said Overton.

Your local police force is a great source of information about crime patterns and ways to make neighborhoods and homes safer.

Copyright 2004 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc. Chicago Sun-Times March 14, 2004 Sunday, South Edition,
Gannett News Service, BYLINE: Elizabeth Betts Hickman