Basic Home Security Guidelines – Why Wait Until It’s Too Late?

Statistics from the FBI state that in the United States a burglary is committed every 15 seconds. Most home owners are not giving much thought to the many different steps that can be taken to protect themselves from such a situation. As a journalist who has covered the courts and cops beat in my town, I know for a fact that even though thieves do break into houses,  there are many other times when the homeowner practically invited the criminals in to their house. Just making a decision to become more aware is all that is really necessary to make your home a safer place.  The first home security items to consider are pretty basic, like making sure your doors and windows are locked. Also, keep the garage doors down if you are not going in and out. I had some friends in an upscale neighborhood who left their garage door open too much and one time, while they were actually home, someone took their son’s new bike right out of the garage. While these basics are free, the cost to install a home security surveillance system can vary widely depending on the type of system you choose. 

Whatever the cost, you must decide the value you place on your personal property and the safety of your family, before you choose which home security choices are best for you. As you consider what security measures to take with your home, you should begin by considering your home from the perspective of a potential burglar. Trimming the landscaping right around the house and making sure the outdoor lighting is all working is an easy place to start. 

You should also walk around the outside of your house when it is dark out. Notice any dark areas that could easily hide someone and how you might bring some light to those areas. Also, notice the windows that don’t have the window covering pulled over them, so anyone can get an easy look inside the house. When you start your do it yourself home security, you don’t have to spend a lot of money right away. Begin with inexpensive items like a metal or wooden dowel rod to bar sliding windows, especially those that are not used much.  Check all your door and window locks to make sure they are in good operating order. You can also have a neighbor watch your house while you are on vacation and vice versa. Also have them pick up your mail and newspapers for you. 

Burglars are lazy and usually look for easy targets, like a home where it’s obvious no one is home. Just getting an inexpensive automatic timer for a light switch or two that will come on whether you are home or not helps deter a would be burglar from considering your home. These are usually $10 or less each. Home security systems can start for as low as a dollar per day. Having a security system can also lower your home owner’s insurance costs. Some alarms you can install by yourself. Others have battery backups insuring they will work during power outages. 

It is usually worth it to go beyond the basics with home security alarm systems. It’s a good idea to home security comparison shop to, before you make a final decision. Some systems will protect the inside of your house only, but then you can add a home outdoor security camera. Most companies will also put home security signs in your yard as well. There are obviously many options, so take your time, start with the basics and build your system up from there. There are no perfect systems, but putting in the time to install a few simple solutions will stack the deck in your favor.