Burglar Alarm Tips

For many people, getting a burglar alarm system provides them with complete peace of mind.  Not only can an alarm chase away an intruder quickly, it can also convince a thief that breaking into your house is not worth the risk.

But even the best home security system can’t guarantee you’ll never have a problem.  After all, an alarm won’t do much good if it’s not turned on.  And there are lots of things you can do to make your home less appealing to burglars.  So why not use these simple techniques to protect your home even more.

1) Lock all windows and doors.  As simple as this sounds, most burglars come in through unlocked doors.  Make sure all exterior doors have deadbolts.  If you have sliding glass doors, buy braces to make them impossible to open.  Keep your garage doors and fence gates shut and locked.  And don’t hide keys in obvious places like under the doormat or in a planter.

2) Install motion-detection lighting on the exterior of your home.  Front and back.  Though most burglaries take place between 6AM and 6PM, good lighting can reduce your risk.

3) Keep your bushes trimmed, especially those near windows.  Don’t give burglars a place to hide until the coast is clear.   For added protection, plant rose bushes, cacti, or other thorny plants near doors and windows.

4) Display your home protection service sign prominently.  The presence of the sign alone is often enough to convince thieves to move on.

5) Get opaque curtains and keep them closed.  Don’t put your valuable possessions on display for all to see.

6) Participate in your neighborhood Block Watch program and get to know your neighbors and their habits.  If you look out for them, they’ll look out for you.

7) If you’re traveling, make it look like someone’s home.  Stop the newspaper.  Have a neighbor get your mail.  Put timers on lights and televisions in several rooms.

8) Hide valuables inside your home. If you don’t have a safe that is too heavy to move, hide your valuables someplace unexpected.   Avoid places that thieves look first like underwear drawers, under the mattress, or in the bedroom closet.  Be creative.  Put jewelry in a dark jar in the refrigerator.  And include your important papers — identity theft can be more damaging than anything else.

9) Get a dog.  Even a small dog can frustrate thieves and alert neighbors that something’s not right.

10) Personalize your possessions.  If your name is etched on your technology products, they’re easier for police to identify and harder to sell.  Many thieves won’t take the risk.

Taking these simple precautions will enhance the protection that your burglar alarm system provides.