Your Home Security Checklist

A home intruder generally looks for two things in selecting a target home to break into:

• the ability to get in and out of the home quickly and

• the ability to remain unseen when approaching, breaking in, and leaving the home.

If either one of these conditions does not exist, your intruder will generally move onto the next house. Your property line is the place to begin your efforts to insure your home will not make an intruder's target list.

Perimeter Lighting

Intruders like the cover of darkness. Keep your property well lit at night. You may be taking away an intruder's anonymity, thus forcing them to find another house to target. Make sure that your lights illuminate darker areas around your property; like your back doors and windows, shrubbery, walkways, and entrances to your garage or basement.

Motion Sensors (Detectors)

When linked to your outdoor lighting systems, motion sensors can startle any intruder by instantly exposing their efforts to light.

Timers for Interior Lights

If you're going away on vacation, put timers on your interior lights. Look for timers that stagger when your lights go on from day to day. This can prevent a lighting pattern from being observed from outside of your home. From the street, your home should look occupied at all hours of the day or night.

Security Cameras

Security cameras are usually associated with businesses like banks or convenience stores, but many more individuals are making them part of their home security system. Cameras can be linked to a VCR in your home or to a security company that can send help should an intruder make an attempt on your home.

Maximum Security - Deadbolts

Your first and most important line of defense should always be deadbolts. Deadbolts that are grade 2 or higher offer the best security for the home. Make sure that your deadbolts are installed on every entry door to your home.

Summary

Install these home security necessities to protect your home:

• Dead Bolts
• Window Locks
• Glass Sliding-Door Locks
• Interior Lighting Timers
• Outdoor Security Lighting
• Alarm System
• Closed Circuit Monitoring System

Secure Your Home Now:

• If your exterior doors are hollow-core, replace them with solid wood, fiberglass, or steel.
• Make sure that all exterior door hinges are on the inside of your home -- rather than the outside.
• If you have double-hung windows, bolt the upper and lower sashes together or insert a metal bar in the track to prevent opening from the outside.
• To secure sliding glass doors, use a bolt lock, insert a metal bar in the track, or use a "charley bar" to block the door closed.
• Use metal bars to secure basement or garage doors and windows.
• If you go on vacation, have your mail and newspaper delivery stopped and arrange to have your yard maintained. Include the Post Office, newspaper service, AND your friends or neighbors to insure that your home looks as if it is occupied while you are gone.
• Report any suspicious persons or vehicles in your neighborhood to your local police department.
• Prune overgrown trees and shrubs around your property to eliminate hiding places for intruders.
• Lock your automobile while it's parked in your driveway.
• Join or start your Neighborhood Watch Program. Check with your local police department to get one started in your neighborhood.

Now that you know that protecting your home is more then getting a good dead lock, be sure to always follow these basic tips:

• Don't leave your spare key in an obvious place, such as under the doormat;
• Double-check that all doors and windows are locked;
• Trim bushes that obscure the line of sight to windows and other break-in points;
• Turn sensor lights on;
• Use timer switches for lights, radios, televisions etc. to create the illusion that someone is home;
• Leave blinds partially open;
• When you are away, have someone check your house, empty your letterbox and bring in your garbage bin; and,
• Ensure you have adequate insurance cover.