Home Security Resources - 12

Burglarproof Your Home by No Nonsense Self-Defense
Tips from police on home security, including providing layered defense for your home. A good example of a layered defense is rosebushes outside the window, double-locked, barred and safety coated side windows and something difficult to climb over inside under the window. Stand outside the windows and look in, make sure no valuables, like expensive electronics or artwork, are visible. If you can see your belongings doing this, so can criminals. A common combination of cheap locks and small construction flaws, that we tend not to notice, often give criminals the "cracks" in security they need to break in. Look at the gap between your door and your door frame from the inside - can you see the lock's tongue? All it takes is a flip of the criminal's wrist while holding a screwdriver while on the outside to break away the thin doorjamb molding and expose that same gap. From there, it is another simple wrist gesture to jimmy the tongue out of the faceplate. Put "window stops" on the first floor and basement window frames. These often functionally amount to secondary and tertiary locks. The best kind are those that go through a moveable frame and lock it into place. Something as simple as drilling a hole through both frames when the window is closed and placing a nail in the hole will lock the windows in place.

Additional Home Security Measures That Homeowners Often Take for Granted
MaineHomeSecurity.com explains the importance of making sure that home security measures work. It suggests that homeowners should do everything so that people outside the house will not see the inside. According to the posts, a tall fence would make thieves think that there might be a guard dog inside. On the other hand, blinds and curtains can cover everything inside the house. People who moved in to another house are also advised to change the door locks. Additionally, an overfilled post office box also attracts thieves because they will think no one is inside the house.

22 Home Security Tips and Why They Are Effective
This PDF document at TownOfWoodway.com contains 22 home security tips by Marc MacYoung of NoNonsenseSelfDefense.com. The article also includes the reasons why these recommendations are effective. Many of the tips included seem to be unusual but work well. One of them is that homeowners should think like a thief so they can check for any loopholes in the security measures. MacYoung also suggests leaving a TV or stereo on while no one is at home can also make thieves think there is still someone inside. He also recommends homeowner to etch their names on their appliances to prove that they own those items.

Advise on Identity Theft Security
Some burglars are now targeting more than just jewelry and electronics. This class of thieves wants to break into your house to steal your identity - your social security number, credit card numbers, or any other information that enables them to commit fraud or theft. Whenever you go on vacation or leave your house for an extended period of time, it's important to protect your computer and keep important documents safe. Here are some home security tips for vacationers: 1) examine your house from the street and make sure no valuables, like expensive electronics or artwork, are visible from the street, 2) if a passerby can see your belongings, so can criminals, 3) lock and fasten all doors and windows, 4) doors should have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate, 5) secure sliding glass doors; place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track to prevent an intruder from forcing the door open, 6) always lock the door to your attached garage, 7) make it appear that you're home - use timers on lights, radios, and televisions, 8) keep the perimeter of your home well lighted; you can do this by installing low-voltage outdoor lighting, 9) never leave clues that you are away; ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers, or ask for them to be held, 10) don't let mail sit in your mailbox; there could be credit card and bank statements that contain information an identity thief would love to have, and 11) maybe ask a neighbor to park in your driveway so it appears someone is home.