There are generally three different types of burglars: the professional, the semi-professional and the amateur. Although the average homeowner will probably not have to face a professional thief who focuses on extremely valuable items, you need to be aware of semi-professional and amateur burglars.
Residential burglars are often male teenagers who live near your home. They are opportunists who look for easy targets. If the risk of detection is too high, the average burglar will not attempt to enter your home.
Burglars know that the key to success is planning. The semi-professional burglar may scout a neighborhood for up to a week, while the amateur burglar will spend only a few hours "casing" a residence. After determining his target, the average burglar spends just a few minutes burglarizing it.
Whether you leave your home for five minutes or five weeks, recognize that it's vulnerable whenever it's unoccupied. While you cannot be home all of the time, you can devise a home security program that works for you around the clock.
Here are ten quick security tips:
* Keep all doors and windows closed and securely fastened. An open window or door is an open invitation for burglars. Thieves are also quick to spot weak locks that may be easily forced open. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate with three-inch screws. All windows should have window locks.
* Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track.
* Always lock the door to an attached garage. Don't rely on your automatic garage door opener for security.
* Create the illusion that you are home. by using timers on lights, radios and TV's. Making your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, will deter criminals.
* Keep the perimeter of your home well lighted. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a cost-effective way to discourage intruders, as well as highlight a house.
* Never leave clues that you are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away so delivered items do not accumulate. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place to make it appear that you are present.
* Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to maintain a normal, everyday appearance in your residence.
* Never leave a message on your telephone answering machine telling people that you are away from home. A message that you will return at a certain time leaves your home vulnerable in the interim.
* Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate hedges may be beautiful, they also provide a hiding place for burglars who need only a minute to break in through a window or door.
* Organize a community watch program to protect your neighborhood. An alert community is a safe community.
The average burglar has only two options for entering your residence: doors and windows. Examine your entry points and see how well they would stand up to a thief. Doors and windows can be fashionably secured with ornate, yet sturdy, door handles and locks. Quality locksets can be a good way to add beauty and security.
Doors are an important part of a successful security program. Hollow-core doors are easily kicked in. For external doors and doorframes, opt for solid wood or steel. Avoid leaving gaps around the doorframe, as this provides leverage for removing the door from its frame. Hinges should be positioned on the inside of the door so that a thief with a screwdriver will be unable to remove the entire door.
Sliding glass doors are a common entry point. Many of these doors can be lifted off their tracks. For maximum security, use vertical bolts. Also place a metal or solid wood rod on the inside track to hold the door closed. These measures will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track.
Garage doors are another frequent entry point. The door that connects your garage to your home should have solid wood or solid-core construction. Secure it with a deadbolt lock. Don't rely on the electric garage door opener as your only security measure. Also, when you are pulling out of your garage, take a few seconds to watch the door close completely.
Back doors are a popular target because they are often hidden from the street and many homeowners leave them unlocked. It's important to keep your back door well lighted and to install a deadbolt. These doors should have a solid-core as well.
If your doors have decorative sidelight panels on the side, beware! Burglers can smash these panels to open your door. If you have sidelight panels, make sure to use a break-resistant material or replace them.
A burglar is usually too big to fit through a pet entrance, but children can be bribed to crawl in and open the door for him. Only install pet doors that can be securely locked when you are away from your home.
One of the most common entry points for burglars is a ground level window at the rear or side of a home. That's why you should use the same security measures on your windows as you would on your doors. Screens on windows do not guarantee the security of the window. While they may slow a burglar's progress, they are easily cut or removed. Window locks are an inexpensive way to keep intruders out. On double-hung windows (which slide up and down), center locks are only effective when the window is completely closed. Locks on the corners or mounted on the sides will allow you to secure windows in a partially open position.
Replace the handle catches on casement windows with keyed locking handles and remove the crank when it is not in use. Keep the key away from the windows, but make sure that it's easily accessible in case of an emergency.
Louvered windows, which open outward like awnings, can be very difficult to secure. Consider replacing them with safer double-hung windows.
Burglar bars are another way to keep thieves out. Attached to windows, they make it almost impossible to enter your home. But remember that this works both ways: bars can keep you inside when you need to get out. Consequently, keep the key near the bars.
Remember that none of these measures will help you if you leave your doors and windows unlocked. It only takes a few minutes for a thief to rob you of your most valued possessions. Always lock your doors, no matter how soon you plan to return.
Contributed by:
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William Barry