Home Security Tips
While the author has maintained a burglar alarm system for many years, he does not rely on this system as his sole protection source. There are many other actions that can be used to protect your home. Burglars will normally by pass homes that appear more challenging to gain access. Most access is made through doors and windows during daylight hours.
While the author has maintained a burglar alarm system for many years, he does not rely on this system as his sole protection source. There are many other actions that can be used to protect your home. Burglars will normally by pass homes that appear more challenging to gain access. Most access is made through doors and windows during daylight hours.
Taking the following actions will make your home a harder target for burglars. Please share a note with the author at [email protected] regarding other security tips. He will periodically update this communication adding those suggestions which are inexpensive and helpful.
1) Keep your shrubbery trimmed and away from windows and doors to prevent hiding places for attacks on your home and person. This also makes it easier for police and neighbors to spot possible burglars.
2 Don’t hide keys under your door mat or other places that are easily discovered. Burglars know most of these common hiding places. Leave the key with a trusted neighbor instead if you must leave a key.
3) Cancel papers and mail when out of town or have neighbor retrieve these items.
4) Have someone plow and shovel for you when travelling. Same applies to cutting the grass. Make your home appears to be lived in all the time.
5) Don’t share your travel plans with everyone. Be discreet!
6) Use outdoor lighting to light up dark areas for access points and possible attack points.
7) Peep holes in doors are helpful. Don’t just open doors without questioning.
8) Make sure your lock/deadbolt and door frame are both strong. A great lock but weak frame or vice versa is not helpful. And don’t forget to lock doors and windows when leaving or sleeping. How many TV documentaries have you watched where it was said “until this horrible crime, no one locked their doors”?Select a solid door and make sure that a burglar cannot easily reach his hand inside to turn the lock after breaking a glass portion of the door.
9) An alarm system is a great tool if properly installed, maintained and monitored. Conduct due diligence on your alarm company. Post alarm stickers and signs.
10) Dogs can be a great deterrent but I do not recommend getting a dog solely for this purpose.
11) Using inside lights that turn on and off automatically are helpful but rotate the lights and times.
12) In some environments, consider security glass. Adding a security coating is fairly inexpensive.
13) Neighborhood watch systems are helpful. Like all programs, they are only as good as the participates.
Disclaimer: This paper is based on what the author believes are generally accepted security principles. This article is written for general information purposes only and is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a primary source for making security decisions.
By Armored Car Expert (A.C.E.) Security Consultants
Employment Injuries, Armored Cars and Premises Security Expert Witness
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James McGuffey, CPPEmployment Injuries, Armored Cars and Premises Security Expert Witness
James McGuffey, CPP has 38 years of security and safety management experience with responsibility for the protection of approximately 70 high risk facilities in various parts of the U.S during his career. He is a security consultant and is retained as an expert witness by defense and plaintiff firms for security and safety incidents. Jim teaches businesses how to conduct security risk assessments. Jim earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Aurora University and an M.A. in Management from Webster University. Jim also served 3 years in the military, 8 years in law enforcement and taught criminal justice. Jim has been an active member of A.S.I.S. since 1981 and is also a member of International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC). Jim earned the Certified Protection Professional certification which is security profession's highest recognition of practitioners. It is evidence that an individual is "Board Certified in Security Management."
Copyright Armored Car Expert (A.C.E.) Security Consultants
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer.For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
