Home Security You Can Trust

Home security is important no matter what kind of neighborhood you call home.  You must evaluate your home with security in mind and determine just how appealing your home would be to a thief.  Before you choose a home security system, you must know your needs.

The first thing to do is to look at your home through the eyes of a burglar.  Remember, a burglar’s ideal job is quick and easy.  Walk around the outside of your house and try to spot weaknesses.  Weaknesses are possible points of entry where a housebreaker can gain access to your home without being detected.  For example, you may feel safe because you have a high wall or strong fence around your home.  However, you may be overlooking other weaknesses in the protection of your home such as the poor lighting or the lack of an alarm system.  Once you have accessed your weaknesses during the day, do the same at night.  Consider the lights and shadows around your home. Think about any pathways that a stranger can walk down unheard and unseen. Consider the curtains and shutters that are open, allowing a well-lit view of the interior downstairs.

The sophistication in the technology available today for home security systems goes well beyond a simple electronic alarm system that detects opened windows or doors.  Of course, there is no system that is entirely foolproof, however a determined burglar can be delayed till law enforcement arrives or simply encouraged to try another house because yours will take too much effort to gain entry.    

At the very least, a home electronic security system provides protection from burglars with four basic levels:  yard signs, warning decals, loud sirens and 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year monitoring.  Burglar alarms are still the number one deterrent for home security systems.

Deadbolt locks on the exterior doors are a must.  Shrubs and trees should be trimmed so that doors and windows can be seen by neighbors and from the street.  All windows should have locks as well.  All porches should be well lit.  Your house number should be easy to see from the street and in a well lit area.   

It is much easier to break into a house there’s no one home.  Fooling a would-be intruder into thinking you’re home can be as simple and inexpensive as installing a few timers around the house.  A light on all the time, especially during the day, makes it obvious that no one is home.  However, when lights, stereos and TVs turn on at random times, it appears that you may be home. 

There are many home security systems that cost about a dollar a day.  That’s pretty low ‘insurance’ against what could be a very expensive loss. Having one will also sometimes lower your actual homeowner’s insurance premiums. Many can be installed without professional assistance.  There are several systems that include low-cost battery backups so they still function during a power outage whether that outage is natural or a burglar induced one.

At the very least, a home electronic security system provides protection from burglars with four basic levels:  yard signs, warning decals, loud sirens and 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year monitoring.  Burglar alarms are still the number one deterrent for home security systems.

Go a step beyond the minimum. Many security systems will alert when a door or window is opened while alarmed.  However, a burglar could use a cheap glass cutter on the window, making  the whole system useless. Consider a type that has a vibration sensor or cut detector. Look into an upgrade that offers motion detection.

The sophistication in the technology available today for home security systems goes well beyond a simple electronic alarm system that detects opened windows or doors.  Of course, there is no system that is entirely foolproof, however a determined burglar can be delayed till law enforcement arrives or simply encouraged to try another house because yours will take too much effort to gain entry. 

• Credits Can Cut Home Insurance Bill Daily Press

  Security and monitoring systems, as well as disaster preparedness, can keep your premiums down. Homeowners often dont take the time to reassess their home insurance. But with many Americans looking for ways to save a buck these days, examining that paperwork could pay off.

• Logan Looking At Security Systems In Grade Schools Herald Journal

  Regular breakins have caused Logan City School District officials to move toward installing security systems in all six elementary schools. Its been a pattern, said district support services director Mike Monson. Every couple of years well have somebody break into the schools.