Some Advice On Burglary Prevention.

Burglary is something that affects almost all of us at some points during our lives. It’s a terrible thing to experience and leaves us feeling vulnerable and frightened. The statistics in the US will shock most people. There were almost 2.1 million burglaries in 2012, the last year for which there are reliable data. And 74 percent of those burglaries were carried out on private residential homes.

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That’s why we need to start acting now to discourage burglars from violating our space and stealing our property.

Windows

The first point of entry for a lot of burglars are windows. This is rather obvious when you think about it. But windows are a weak link in your security perimeter.

All windows not being used as a fire escape should be locked. They should also have shoot bolts that go directly into the window frame. Heavy duty security extras include using externally beaded windows.

 The most important thing to remember when it comes to windows is to close them when you go out, especially in the summer. If you have single glazed windows, consider having them laminated. Lamination makes them much harder to break and prevents the glass from shattering. Though determined criminals will still be able to get in, the extra time and effort required might deter some.

Lastly, if you fit double glazed windows, avoid windows that don’t have a lock and key. Most double glazed windows will come with a handle that, when turned, shoots bolts into the window frame. But only some will come with an additional key to lock the handle in position.

Security Alarms

Security alarms come in two major types. The first type is called remote signaling alarms. These automatically connect to the police and inform them that a crime is taking place. The other type of alarms, including audible only or hybrid alarms, require the owner to confirm that a crime is underway.

Once you’ve decided which alarm system you think would be appropriate, start researching. There are many different manufacturers of security alarms, including Scout. Find a Scout home security review online to find out whether it’s a good choice for you.

Before having your security system installed, make sure the person installing it is trustworthy. Ask to see company credentials before disclosing any personal details.

Doors

The first thing that you need to do is make sure that your external doors meet the recommended specifications. Weak outside doors are just an invitation for criminals to break and enter. Outside doors should be of solid wooden construction. Ideally, they should be about 44 mm thick, or about two inches. And they should have a 5-lever mortice lock. Front doors should also have a deadlocking rim lock about a third of the way down.

You can get extra security by installing a door that is reinforced with metal strips (sometimes called London bars). Other metal features should include three high-quality 100mm metal hinges to increase robustness.

When it comes to the physical security of your doors, that’s about it. But doors can be a weakness for other reasons too. All too often people leave their keys near to their front doors. They think that this isn’t a problem since there is no way that a criminal could use this to their advantage. But they’d be wrong. If your letter box isn’t secured, criminals can use implements to reach through grabbing your keys. The best solution, therefore, is to keep any additional keys locked in a key cabinet.

Lighting

One of the best ways to tip off a burglar is to leave your home with no lights on. Burglars would much rather operate when you are out of the home than when you are there.

That’s why it’s so important to leave lights on as a type of deterrent. External lights placed near entrances can help to deter burglars. If they are planning to break and enter, the last thing that they want is for their crime to be illuminated.

Criminals will also check windows to see if the TV is on or whether anybody is home. You can now get low power LED lights that mimic the light emitted by your TV that you can leave on when you leave the house. Just don’t forget to close the curtains.

Sheds

Homes are usually well protected these days. But sheds and other outbuildings are often a softer target. Always lock your shed with a heavy duty padlock. And if you do keep anything valuable in it, cover it up with a sheet or keep it inside a locked box.