Preventing Home Theft

-- How to Protect your Home - Preventing Theft --


*Today's article (a follow up to the one published a couple days ago) was submitted by Sachin...
An alarm system is an essential element to help you prevent losing your property to burglary, but it is rarely enough. This article will consider the case of one individual who agreed to have their home security checked for weaknesses, thinking that it was secure.

Just as we all have fire alarms, the majority of properties have a burglar alarm system too. An alarm system is an essential element to help you prevent losing your property to burglary, but it is rarely enough. This article will consider the case of one individual who agreed to have their home security checked for weaknesses, thinking that it was secure.

The attempted robbery

The property was alarmed, had new locks and a Golden Retriever inside. Whilst at work the house was tested for security by an attempted robbery. A ladder at the rear of the house allowed access to a second story window. Within minutes this window was forced open from outside without any of the neighbors hearing and alerting the police department.

Entering the second floor enabled access to the entire house because the motion detectors were necessarily switched off for the Golden Retriever. This meant that despite the alarm system being on and working, the ‘burglar’ was able to move through the house, after distracting the dog with treats, taking their pick of cash and property.

What is more worrying is that the ‘burglar’ was able to hide the ladder, close the window and wait inside the house until the return of the test subject. This enabled a surprise attack which could have had dire consequences in the case of a real home invasion.

Why did the security fail?

Having changed the house’s locks on arrival at the property and installed an alarm system, the test subject considered the house to be as secure as it could be. The failures came with the fact that the windows were not alarmed. Relying on a pet Golden Retriever meant that the owner considered the house impenetrable to be. Having no window alarms or motion detectors, however, meant that there was only really an alarm in effect on the doors to the house.

Securing your home

Securing your home does not need to be difficult but you do need to consider the options for entry which you would not usually use. Burglars will often find an entry point which is not the front door so it is important to install a comprehensive home security system which covers both doors and windows. Carrying out these simple steps will also help to make your home a much more secure place:

Use your locks – Even the best locks are useless unless you utilize them all of the time.

Maintain your garden – By trimming hedges and generally maintaining your garden, you will reduce the number of places in which a burglar can shelter and hide from the view of neighbors.

Work with your neighbors – Having neighbors who look out for one another will enable you to utilize the best and cheapest form of burglary prevention.

Keep your spare key safe – Remember that a burglar will have more experience looking for a spare key than you do hiding it. Give it to a neighbor or trusted friend so that you can always access it but it is safely locked away.

Keep your garage secure – Consider where your garage door opener is kept. If you park in front of the garage and leave it inside, the thief could easily enter your home through this route.


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