How do you protect your home and family from crime? Maybe you have a home security system. Perhaps you have a couple of dogs. Maybe you do nothing at all. Here is a more important question: are you relying on a single home security strategy to offer the level of protection you expect?
Relying on a single strategy is pretty common. For example, a homeowner might think that all he needs to do to protect against burglars is to upgrade the locks on his first-floor doors. Installing heavy-duty deadbolts will make his home as secure as possible. But will it? No.
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There Are Ways Around Everything
We Americans have a bad habit of taking a short-sighted view of nearly every problem we attempt to solve. We do not think things through clearly. Making matters worse is the fact that we seem to prefer band-aid solutions even to the most serious problems.
Here is what you need to know about home security: there are ways around everything. For example, deadbolts are harder to breach than handle locks. But given enough time, a burglar can still get through a deadbolt.
A homeowner in New Jersey recently found out that even two dogs do not guarantee her safety. Their barking woke her up in the middle of the night. Fortunately, her home was equipped with security cameras. She was able to watch a group of masked burglars trying to break in through a first-floor window while she called the police.
Fortunately, they were unable to breach the window. They took off before the police arrived. Trying to imagine what might have happened had they successfully broken in is enough to make any homeowner shudder.
Multi-Layered Security Is Best
So if there are ways around everything, how can a homeowner truly protect himself and his family? A multi-layered approach is best. You might start with a HomeProtect package from Vivint Home Security. HomeProtect is an affordable electronic security package with no contract. You get the security equipment, professional installation, and remote monitoring all in one.
HomeProtect is a good starting point. But remember, there are ways around everything. So in addition to the home security system, you should beef up first floor entry points by securing doors and windows. Deadbolt locks and double-hung windows with sash locks are good ideas.
After that, move on to the garage. Beef up the windows, the overhead door, and any door leading to the side or rear of the property. Also secure the door that leads from the garage into the house.
Other Things to Consider
By now you probably understand the concept of beefing up your home. The idea is to put as many barriers as possible in the way. The more barriers in place, the more time and effort it takes to break in. That is how you deter criminals. But that’s not all. Here are some additional things to consider:
- Don’t broadcast your life on social media
- Be careful about what you put in the trash can
- Keep your garage door closed so burglars can’t peer inside
- Keep blinds closed when you’re not home for the same reason
The point of these tips is to eliminate things that might tempt a burglar to consider your home. Here is another way to put it: do not advertise that you could be a potential victim. Do everything you can to maintain your privacy.
When it comes to securing your home and property, there is no silver-bullet solution. The best way for you to protect yourself and your family is to adopt a multi-layered approach.
