Home Security Tips and Tricks

No one plans to be broken into, at least not deliberately. But, lack of proper planning can equal a plan to be burglarized. In order to keep a home safe and secure, there are several precautions to take, some of which are quite basic, while others are more involved.

The simplest way to prevent a break-in is to lock the doors to the outside. This might seem painfully obvious, but a fairly significant portion of break-ins happen simply because the homeowner assumed that they lived in a good neighborhood or otherwise had no reason to lock the door. Unlocked doors can turn people who are otherwise not planning on stealing anything into a thief.

Perhaps someone comes to the door to sell something, and they notice that it's open. It is simple to step inside and walk away with something. Keeping doors locked means criminals actually have to make an effort, and they have to look somewhat conspicuous while doing it. Using an unlocked door means that a criminal will appear no different from a homeowner when entering.

In addition to locking doors, it's important to use measures that keep them that way. A double cylinder lock ensures that someone cannot simply open the door from the inside. If the door contains windows, someone could break the glass, reach through and unlock the door. This is impossible if a key is necessary on the inside as well. Be aware that this can pose a bit of a fire hazard, as it is very possible for someone to become trapped inside the house. Keep the key nearby but out of reach of the door.

Use a security door to provide a second level of protection. Even a relatively cheap one will slow thieves down enough to make them rethink their intentions, and a heavy-duty one will probably actually stop them cold, unless they have SWAT-level break-in gear. Good security doors open toward the outside, so that they cannot be kicked in without breaking the entire doorframe.

An alarm system is a good investment. Many use a small magnet and relay at the top edge of a door. When the door is closed, the magnet/relay keeps the circuit closed. When the door opens, the magnet no longer keeps the relay closed, and the circuit is broken, triggering the alarm. Thin wires imbedded into window glass accomplish the same thing. Whether in doors or window, these alarms both deter and combat break-ins by providing a psychological reason to avoid the house and a physical link with law enforcement.