Keeping Your Home Safe
Your home is your sanctuary. It’s a place where you should feel safe and secure. However, looking at Las Vegas’ breaking an entering statistics, we were at twice the national average in 2009. There are ways for you to lower your chances of being a victim and to be able to feel safe in your own home.
How you keep the outside of your home is very important. Though most people’s tendencies are to keep there home private and hidden from view, you will actually want to do the exact opposite. By making your house visible to people on the street and to your neighbors, you will lessen the chances that people will want to sneak in.
Oftentimes when decorating for the holidays, doing home repairs, or doing general maintenance, people have a tendency to leave ladder and tools lying about to make it easier when they come back to it the next day. These types of things can make it easier for criminals to access your home, especially on higher floors. Even though it may seem like more trouble than it’s worth to put these things away, think about how much more trouble it would be to deal with a home invasion.
Remember, your average criminal doesn’t want to draw attention to themselves. Things like good lighting, low trimmed bushes and visibility to neighbors make it harder for them to be unobtrusive. More often than not, if your house has no place to give them privacy, they are going to pass up yours and go someplace a little more quiet.
Indoor security is also important. Locking doors and windows when you leave is a good idea, not only on the first floor, but on the second floor too. Your deadbolts on your door should go into the jamb at least one inch for security. Many people may also opt for a home security system that will call the police if someone should enter your home. Though this is ideal, make sure you have signs that your house is protected clearly visible to thwart intruders before they even get through the front door.
When you’re traveling away from your home for a bit, make sure that your house looks lived in. Having lights and even the television on a timer will give the illusion that your are home even when you’re not. It is also an excellent idea to have someone pick up your mail and your newspapers so they don’t pile up, something many burglars will look for.
Nothing beats knowing your neighbors. If everyone knows everyone else’s comings and goings, you can all keep your eyes peeled and will be able to report anything Suspicious.