How to Improve your Home Security

It has been reported that a burglary now happens every 15 seconds.
As such, the chances of your own home actually being at risk from a
break in are greatly increased, and it does not matter where you live.
However, when people think of a break in, they think of someone
gaining entry in to their home through breaking some glass or
smashing down doors. Yet there are certain things which could
actually extend an invitation to those unwanted intruders to make an
attempt at getting into your home.
There are many places which are vulnerable to attack from an
intruder to your home, and therefore you must set up a routine which
will then provide them with less opportunities of attempting to break
in. Below, we look at what are considered to be some of the weak
areas in your home security routine which could help to prevent any
kind of break in from occurring.
Keys
Although you may think it is a great idea, lending keys to family and
friends, as well as those people carry out work in your home, greatly
increases the chances of your keys being placed into the wrong
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How to Improve your Home Security
hands. Although the people you provide a key to might be completely
trustworthy, you can not control where the keys are once they are out
of your hands, and the chances of them being duplicated are greatly
increased. So it is important that you think about whom you are
issuing keys to, and keeping an eye on the master one that you have
with throughout the day. Also, never place keys in those secret
places outside the home, as the smart burglar will know where
exactly to look for them.
Locks
Those doors which have handle locks are very easy for a burglar to
get into, as all he requires is a plastic credit card. Therefore it is best
if you install good quality deadbolts to all entry points (doors) into
your home.
Doorways
Although you may have installed a very good lock to your front or
back door, they are only as effective as the actual strength of the
door itself. Unfortunately, the weakest area around any door is where
the lock is located, and this is especially true for wooden doors.
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How to Improve your Home Security
Sliding Patio Doors
These security doors have several distinct disadvantages to them
when compared to other doors. The main reason is that they come
with much less sophisticated locks on them. There are even some
much older models which, unfortunately, can be easily lifted off of the
tracks that they run on and provide any intruder with a way of gaining
easy access to a home.
Windows
Windows which are left open and unattended not only provide
intruders with access, but they allow them to quickly view what is
available to them.
Gardens
Both shrubbery and trees provide a way of allowing intruders to gain
access to your property. Not only do they provide ideal coverage, but
can also provide them with ways to gain access to your home easily
and quickly.
Above we have looked at areas of the home where assistance can be
provided to would be intruders to your property. But in this book, we
will be taking a closer look at some ways of improving your home
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How to Improve your Home Security
security, and hopefully help to prevent intruders from wanting to try
their luck and break in.
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How to Improve your Home Security
Chapter 1 –
Just How Secure is Your Home
Everybody thinks that their home is secure. Today, most homes are
now fitted with good quality doors and windows which have good
quality locks and bolts upon them. Often when we are going out in
the evening, we will draw the curtains and leave a few lights on to
give the appearance that there is someone in. However there are
occasions, especially on those late summer evenings when it is still
light as you are going out, that you decide not do this, and this
unfortunately is when you are providing an opportunity to any would
be burglar to gain access to your home.
Often a would be intruder, rather than trying to gain access through
the front door as they are likely to be seen by your neighbours, will
then try to gain access to your property at the back. Unfortunately, it
will only take them a few attempts, and they can actually gain access
to your home very quickly without your neighbors becoming aware
that anything has occurred.
When this type of break in occurs, then the burglar will only take
things that are easy to carry, and in most cases can be placed inside
a pillowcase. Generally, they will often only steal much larger items
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How to Improve your Home Security
like TV’s, DVD players and stereos if they feel that they have enough
time and are not likely to be spotted any time soon.