We have all heard the saying “it takes a thief to catch one,” and those of us in the home security business think this is sound advice. Thinking like a burglar can help you stop one from invading your home by allowing you to identify vulnerabilities so that they can be properly taken care of.
The following are a few things to consider when preparing a protection plan:
- Where are your valuables? – Thieves who are looking to get into your home aren’t looking for knickknacks or collectibles to display on their mantelpiece. They are looking for things that can be quickly pawned or sold for cash. Things like electronics, jewelry, and prescription medications are all examples of items that should be kept out of sight and out of reach. It is even better to keep the things out of their traditional areas, as experienced robbers know where to find what they are looking for.
- Which entry points are vulnerable? – Every burglar wants to get in and out of your home as quickly as possible so they aren’t detected. They do this by looking for the weak points that will allow for easy entry and exit. For example, experienced and successful burglars know that the front door is a very easily accessed entry point if they know where to kick. This may be easily remedied with reinforced locks and deadbolts. It is important to look for all “weak” points in your home, especially sliding glass doors and windows.
- Are you too predictable? – Thieves are, if nothing else, opportunistic. They are looking for signs that your home is vacant to make their move. Don’t let them be able to tell whether or not you are home based on your actions. Consider taking additional steps to be more private, like not sticking to a predictable schedule and being careful with posting things about being out of town on social media. Don’t make the thief’s job easy!
- Have you looked into detection methods? – The last thing that robbers and burglars want is to be conspicuous or noticed by anyone in the neighborhood. This is why they typically target the most vulnerable-looking houses with no visible signs of security devices. Home security systems are a proven deterrent of burglaries, as criminals are smart enough to know when and where a property is being watched – and that this will drastically reduce their chances of getting away with the crime. Home security systems that include video monitoring are even more powerful disincentives for burglars since videotapes maybe used in criminal investigations.
Installing a home security system is the most powerful weapon you have in protecting your home, valuables, and family. Contact the security systems experts at A Total Solution, Inc. for more information on installing yours today!
