Home Security Resources

The Psychological Effects of Home Burglary
Writer Dave Kopec had written about home safety for years and tried to do everything he could to make his home safe from intrusion. But even the best measures can't keep a determined thief out -- or in this case three teenagers intent on finding a place to party and then vandalize. This article is written from a very personal perspective, discussing the real-life trauma and psychological devastation that can occur following a break-in. Often a break-in can cause loss of place attachment, which means the homeowner feels no connection to his or her home any longer and wishes nothing more than to sell. Mr. Kopec thought he had made his home safe from intruders. A six-foot wall along one side of his house with sharp diamond-shaped points on top, protected the utilities section of the home. However, this turned out to be his weakest point. The kids who broke into my home bent over the diamond points and then scaled the wall. Upon entering the utility area they proceeded to cut the telephone line and disable the electric, as well as compromise the watering system. Since most security services rely on a telephone call to warn of an intruder, the cut telephone cord rendered that aspect of my defenses useless. Additionally, the sirens associated with a compromised security system were also rendered ineffective because they were tied to the electricity. Hence, my first three lines of defense (neighbors, security service, and alarm) were all rendered ineffective. There are things that Mr. Kopec could have done differently and which might have protected his home more effectively. This article details many of those things. There is nothing better than first-hand knowledge. By reading this article you have a chance to get that knowledge without having to suffer the actual trauma of a break-in yourself.

How Your Dog Can Prevent a Home Invasion
One of the best deterrents to a home break-in, according to this article, is a dog. Any dog. The size or breed or temperament of the dog is not important. What is important is how vocal the dog is. Thieves prefer quiet. They want to get into and out of a place quickly and with no noise. A barking dog, even a small dog if it makes enough noise, is enough to cause most burglars to choose an easier target. Even a sociable dog, a dog that would help a burglar carry a TV out of the house can still be a deterrent simply by its presence. Since a burglar can't be sure ahead of time if a dog is friendly or not, the chance is simply too great if a dog is present at all. Most burglars look for the easiest target, and a dog tends to complicate matters. According to this article one of the best security measures you can have is simply a prominent sign that says: Beware of Dog.