Don’t make it easy for someone to break in. Most thieves who break into homes don’t spend much time, if any, planning ahead for each break-in. Most of the time, they do bad things because they can. They choose what looks like an easy target. If their preliminary checks and closer inspections show that the target is riskier than they thought, they move on to a safer one. The safer you are, the more you can do to make sure your house doesn’t look like an easy target. There are also many things you can do to lessen the damage and improve your chances of getting your money back if your home is broken into.
The first step to making your home safer is to look closely at the security measures you already have in place. The Police Department has made a Home Security Assessment to help you with this job. It’s important to do a security evaluation. Pay close attention to the test. Check your house both during the day and at night. Remember that the test shows you where your home’s defense is weak. Your home can’t be protected well enough until these problems are fixed.
Yard And Landscaping Security
A few changes to your gardening might be enough to scare away would-be thieves. Intruders look for places they can get into and out of quickly so they don’t get caught. Their best target is a house that is ringed by big hedges and bushes that make it hard to see from the street and other homes.
Bushes, Shrubs, and Trees: Cut back bushes and trees so neighbors and people on the street can see your doors and windows. Criminals shouldn’t be able to hide in well-kept greenery. If you have a second floor, cut back trees so that thieves can’t use them to get into second floor windows. Place trellises where they can’t be used as steps to get to the upper floors.
-Ground plants (bushes and shrubbery) should be kept at a height of no more than three (3) feet within four (4) feet of any walkways, driveways, doorways, or gates.
-Ground plants should be kept at a height of no more than four feet if they are within eight feet of any walkways, driveways, doorways, or gates.
-Ground plants should be kept at a level that is lower than the window sill.
-Trees should be trimmed such that their lowest branches extend forth beyond seven (7) feet.
Near windows, scatter large gauge gravel on the ground. Intruders treading on it can make noise that serves as a psychological deterrent. NEVER position anything near glass windows or doors, including river rocks. The burglar can use these to shatter glass.
Put spiky (thorny) plants under windows and around fences. Even the sneakiest intruder will be deterred by such plants. While much more aesthetically pleasing, using prickly plants as protection is just as effective as using barbed wire.
Street Numbers
From the street, the street number should be clearly apparent. When the house’s street address is clear from a distance, emergency personnel can save crucial time.
On your house:
-Use reflective numbers or make sure the color of the digits stands out against the background. The minimum height for numbers is three (3) inches. Avoid utilizing scripted numbers whenever possible. From the street, it is challenging to read these.
-Replace numbers as needed to keep them fresh and tidy.
-The numbers ought to be put close to the garage or front door, under a light.
Limited or Direct Access to Store Rooms and Yards
Intruders search for empty or sparse areas with little barriers to speedy departures. If the gates are closed, fences prevent criminals from taking away heavy objects. Even while you are at home, the gate should always be locked.
Ladders and tools ought to be kept in a garage or storage shed that is lockable.
The landscaping on your property should be planned to limit access. When a person with criminal intent approaches your house or place of business, proper barriers make them feel uneasy.
Exterior And Interior Lighting
It is a known truth that adequate lighting deters crime. While any illumination can assist lower your risk of being a burglary victim, the most effective deterrent to criminal activity will be the right lights, utilized correctly.
Exterior
Exterior lighting is crucial, especially near doors and in the back of the property where most break-ins occur. Your home should have security lighting that is vandal-resistant and installed high up out of the way on all sides.
It’s crucial to have lighting in garages and carports. The greatest option for garages is an automatic garage opener. Today’s garage door openers are almost all equipped with a light that illuminates the interior of the garage when the opener is triggered. It is advisable to leave a light on in carports, set a light on a timer, or link a light to a motion sensor or photoelectric cell.
A motion detector-style light fixture is a sort of external lighting. This type of light has the advantage of alerting the homeowner when someone enters their yard, especially in the backyard. Although there is a worry that dogs, cats, or birds will activate the sensor and turn on the lights, this won’t be an issue if the homeowner correctly adjusts the sensor’s sensitivity. Any kind of lighting in the front yard will work as long as it illuminates the full front and sides of the house. Although sensor illumination is effective, it is more susceptible to “false alarms” brought on by things like individuals crossing the street or kids playing.
Interior
Residents typically turn on their “burglar beacon” before leaving for the evening. The purpose of a burglar beacon is to prevent them from returning home to a dark house by leaving a modest light on. These are lights like the ones over the stove or sink in the kitchen, the hallway light, or the one in the living room corner. These lights, unfortunately, are a sign that no one is home, which is bad news for the burglar. Leave a radio playing and several lights on if you plan to be gone all night. Put a radio on a timer and at least two lights in separate parts of the house on while you go on vacation. Your home should appear occupied from the exterior, whether you are away on vacation or just out for the evening.
House Doors And Garage Doors
Entry doors should be made of metal-wrapped wood or solid core wood that is at least 1 3/4″ thick. With no more than 1/8″ of space between the door and the frame, your door should fit snugly. Replace the door or bolt with a strong metal strip to the edge of the door if the gap is too large. You’ll increase our defense while also saving energy.
Most hollow core doors are simple to breach. No matter what locks you choose, a door won’t offer much security if it is frail, weak, or doesn’t fit tightly into the frame.
Windows or doors with beautiful glass panels provide for simple targets. The door may be unlocked and the glass broken in a matter of seconds. Install a break-resistant plastic panel, such Lexan, or a decorative grille over the glass if you don’t want to replace the door. Use specialized, non-removable screws to secure the grill.
Strike Plates, Locks And Hinges
Locks/Deadbolts
Although the “lock-in-knob” gives you convenience and privacy, it does not provide enough security against attackers. In reality, a basic credit card can open a majority of “lock-in-knob” locks. You may have privacy, but your security is inadequate.
A deadbolt lock must be used on all outside doors. The locking mechanism moves a sturdy metal bolt from the door into the door frame when you turn the key.
When purchasing a deadbolt lock, CHECK THAT:
-The bolt penetrates the front edge of the door by at least one (1″) inch.
-Screws at least three (3″) inches long are used to fasten the strike plate to the door frame via the trim.
-It is protected from being twisted off with pliers or other instruments by a rotation case hardened shroud.
The Two Most Common Types of Deadbolt Locks
Deadbolt locks with a single cylinder have a thumb turn on the interior side. They are easy to use and could hasten the evacuation process in the event of a fire. When utilized close to a window, they are simple to open simply smashing the window and reaching through. Once a burglar is inside, this style of deadbolt lock does not stop them from stealing your belongings via the door.
Deadbolt locks with two cylinders Use the keys on the lock’s two sides. If there is a glass pane within 40″ inches (arms reach) of the lock, this sort of lock should be taken into account. This particular lock does, however, pose a threat to fire escapes. This kind of deadbolt lock can prevent a burglar from using the door to steal your belongings from your house. Make sure the key is not left in the lock’s interior if this lock is utilized. The location of the key and how to use it must be known by all residents, both adults and children, in order to exit the residence.
Keys Control
Up to 50% of all burglaries occur without a forcible entry. The burglar frequently employs a key. Make sure the wrong people don’t get their hands on your keys.
-Never keep your ID on your key chain or holder.
-When moving into a new home or apartment, rekey all the locks.
-Recognize who has the keys to your house. Give maintenance personnel and delivery personnel no keys. If you must depart with a key, give it to a dependable neighbor. Ensure that everyone in your household is aware of where their key is.
-Never keep a key hidden outdoors. All the hiding areas are known to burglars.
-Avoid leaving keys visible on hooks within your home.
Strike Plates
Screws are used to fasten the strike plate to the door frame. The deadbolt lock’s metal bolt slips into the strike plate to solidly fasten the door to the door frame.
To prevent the metal bolt from being kicked out of the door frame when locked, a high security striking plate is necessary. A high security striking plate needs a minimum of four screws that are three inches long each.
Hinges
The same 3/4″ inch screws used to install ordinary striking plates are frequently used to install hinges. To secure the hinges to the subframe, swap these out for three (3″) inch properly threaded screws.
In some circumstances, the hinges are installed in such a way that the hinge pins are visible from the outside, making it possible for an intruder to try to remove them in order to get inside.
By inserting a partially threaded screw into the hinge’s frame side, hinges can be pinned. The head of the screw is removed, leaving the unthreaded part exposed. On the opposite side, a similar hole is drilled into the door and hinge so that when the door is closed, the exposed screw portion fits into the door. This will stop the door from being raised out of the frame.
Arcadian Doors And Sliding Glass Windows
People frequently install strong locks on their front doors but leave their sliding glass windows and arcadian doors wide open to unauthorized entrance. Both of these are targets for burglars since they are simple to open. Arcadian doors and windows typically offer greater privacy than a front door, making them the ideal area for robbers to conceal themselves and break in. The two things to guard against are:
Prying the lock
The majority of arcadian sliding windows and doors include locks that can be opened by prying them open. Installing an additional lock is advisable.
Some defenses include broomsticks, charlie bars (both of which should fit snugly), and finger-operated locks. The usage of key locking systems is strongly advised since they can stop thieves from taking stolen goods out of a house through a window or door.
A variety of other lock types are available. Deadbolt locks and other entry lock sets can share the same key with a keyed lock. Consult a locksmith or hardware store to determine the most appropriate robust type for your house.
Lifting Out
It is possible to raise many arcadian sliding windows and doors off of their tracks from the outside.
It can be stopped from being removed by installing two sheet metal screws in the track above the removable portion of the door or window. As you slide the glass, adjust the screws so that the doors or windows barely clear them underneath.
Make a hole in the inner frame and drive a nail partially through the metal door frame. The burglar cannot remove the nail, but you can. Be cautious when drilling. You run the risk of breaking the glass if you drill too closely to it.
Double Hung Windows
Drill a hole through the top of the lower window and through that into the bottom of the upper window to secure a double-hung window. The window can now be locked shut by inserting a pin. Once more, take care when drilling. You run the risk of breaking the glass if you drill too closely to it. If you pin your windows, be sure that everyone who lives in the house—adults as well as kids—can reach the pins and take them out.
Security Systems
Do you keep sentimental or incredibly precious objects in your home? Do you frequently leave your house alone for longer than a few hours each day? Do you desire extra security and peace of mind? These may be a few justifications for purchasing an alarm system.
According to the FBI, nationwide burglaries will occur in one (1) out of every four (4) homes on average over a ten-year period.
There are many high-quality alarm systems on the market. You should have an idea of the type of security system you want before you go out and buy one. By doing this, you can avoid buying more equipment than you actually require. Read as much as you can about various system brands and types. Ask friends and neighbors who own alarm systems for advice. Prior to acquiring any alarm system, we advise that you talk to at least three security providers about their offerings.
Choosing Your System
-How do I find the best business when thinking about buying an alarm system?
-How much defense do I require?
-How much can I anticipate spending?
-Have I taken any other security precautionary measures that may have rendered the purchase of an alarm system unnecessary?
-Before selecting to purchase an alarm system, have I conducted a security audit of my home?
Tips to Help When Choosing an Alarm Company
-Ask about insurance, including errors and omissions, workman’s compensation, and general liability. You have every right to request insurance certificates for these things. This safeguards you because if the business is not adequately safeguarded, the loss or claim may be made against you.
-Ask to see the company’s business license from the city, which enables them to operate in your neighborhood.
-Ask for recommendations from nearby clients who have installed systems similar to the one being suggested to you.
Look at your contract! Make sure that everything is spelled out in writing before signing anything. Be aware of the warranty’s duration and coverage details.
-Keep in mind that an appropriate design should take the occupant’s structure, lifestyle, perceived needs, and budget into account.
-Ask the company how long it has been in business, ideally three to five years.
-Ask if it will be monitored within the state of Louisiana or beyond.
-Confirm that the business handles the complete installation and does not outsource work.
Other Home Security Information
Home Inventory List
A “Personal Property Inventory List” should be kept in a secure location (fireproof safe, safe deposit box). In the event of a theft or burglary, this might aid in helping you retrieve stolen stuff. In the event of a theft or burglary, this aids in recovering stolen property.
The better, the more thorough your inventory list should be. It might assist you in establishing your loss with your insurance company in the event of a loss due to a cause other than theft. For instance, an accurate account of when and how much you spent for each item may help you prove your loss if your house has a fire and you lose a couch, an end table, and a section of your carpet in the living room.
Indicate the room the item was in on the inventory list. Give the item the most thorough description you can. Include the size, color, and material the item is made of, as well as the manufacturer’s model and serial numbers. This list could include repairs, damage signs, etc. Include the serial number of the manufacturer in the list. The model should not be confused with the serial number.
If you decide to personalize your property markings, choose a memorable code or distinctive number. You shouldn’t use your social security number, though. Your two-letter state abbreviation should always come before your personal number. You might use “LA123ABC” as an example. The Crime Prevention Unit of the Tulane University Medical Center Police Department lends electric engravers to community members so they can help you mark your valuables. For further information, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 988-5531.
Safety Tips at Home
-Hang up the phone as soon as you receive an offensive or threatening call, and then report it to the police by dialing (988-5531).
-Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Those who would harm hunt for that unwitting victim.
Don’t list your marital status or first name on your phone directory or on your postal box if you live alone.
-Discover your neighbors. When it comes to protecting your property, they are your greatest option for safety and security.
-Have your keys ready when you get back to your house or vehicle so you can quickly let yourself inside.
-Don’t go home if you believe you are being followed! Visit a fire station, a police station, or an open business. If you visit a place of business, make a call to the police there to let them know what is going on.
-Your car should be parked in well-lit places. Take the keys with you and lock the doors.
-Avoid taking immediate action yourself if you believe a prowler is outdoors. Lock all windows and doors, then dial 911 to immediately contact the police.
Do’s
-Use the locks, lights, and other security measures you have.
-When you leave for the evening, leave the lights on both inside and outside.
-Keep the phone numbers for all emergency services—police, fire, medical, poison, and work—near your phone.
-(Women) Keep your purse limited to what is absolutely required. Avoid carrying one if at all possible.
-Carry cash and credit cards in the front pockets of your slacks.
-Before allowing repair employees into your unit, check with the manager.
-Close your draperies and/or blinds at night.
-Be wary of anyone hanging about your home, complex of apartments, or parking lot. Embrace your instincts.
-Call the police if anything about it looks weird, peculiar, or suspicious.
Don’ts
-Avoid keeping a lot of money in your house. If so, keep it locked up in a fireproof safe.
-Don’t bring a lot of cash with you when you go out.
-Don’t allow guests to use your phone. While you make the call, have them wait outside.
-Refrain from changing in front of open windows.
-Keep notes off your door.
-Don’t keep a key close to the door outside. Give one to a reliable neighbor.
-Avoid putting pricey stuff like stereo systems or computers on display via your window.
-Your answering machine should not say “We are not home now” or contain your name or phone number.
-Never provide personal information in telephone surveys.
-Utility service agents should never be admitted unless you have an appointment or can confirm their legitimacy.