Home Security-More Do It Yourself Home Security
In my article “Home Security: Low-Cost Alarms That Work” we discussed the effectiveness of low-cost alarms in protecting your most valuable asset, your home, without sending it to the poor house. There was a Consumers Union study in 2002 that found that barking dogs and alarm systems are the most effective ways to keep intruders out of your home.
In a recent article in the Colorado Springs Gazette, David Husted, crime prevention officer with the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Falcon Division, was quoted as saying, “The sound of a large dog barking is also a good deterrent.” . When asked if he would spend money on an alarm or a dog: “I don’t know, I can go with the dog, if he has a good bark.”
In the time it takes you to read the next four short paragraphs, two more robberies will occur in the United States. Remember this: property crimes happen every 3 seconds, a home break-in every 15 seconds.
When a thief goes looking for his next victim, he “scans” the neighborhood and individual houses for weaknesses. The way your home looks to him will send a signal whether he feels he can succeed or not. If he sees so many potential problems with his house, why would he bother when there are so many others to choose from?
Here are some additional inexpensive ways to help prevent home break-ins and provide the best security for your most valuable possession – your home.
motion activated spotlights. These are easy to install and relatively inexpensive lighting systems activated by motion detectors. One of the things thieves don’t like is LIGHT.
Signs for an alarm company. Thieves do their homework. When they break into a place, it is usually with some degree of planning. If they see a sign in a yard indicating that the property is protected by an alarm system, EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE, they are much less likely to target the house.
Neighborhood Watch Program Signs. Again, for the reasons listed above, thieves will think twice before invading a Neighborhood Watch neighborhood. If you don’t have a Neighborhood Watch Program in place, start one. Your local police department will be happy to help you get one up and running. Visit http://www.usaonwatch.org for more details.
Dummy surveillance cameras. Dummy surveillance cameras have a proven track record of reducing theft for a fraction of the cost of their “real” brethren. Most of the dummy cameras look real with a flashing red LED and warning signs that the property is being monitored by CCTV.
NRA stickers. Post an NRA decal so it can be seen from the road in a conspicuous place: high in your living room window, on your mailbox, or on the bumper of a car parked in your driveway. This sends a signal to a potential burglar that an occupant of the home may be armed.
The key here is to “advertise” to potential burglars that your house will not be their next target. By using these low-cost home security devices and following these home security tips, you’ll help prevent a break-in in your home. Home security alarm systems are effective, but for most people they are too expensive.
If you think that the crime can only happen to the other person, you are wrong. The “other guy” is thinking the same thing and YOUR they are that “other guy”. There’s a reason they call it self defense. You have to protect yourself, your family, your home and business!!
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