subject: DON'T LET A BURGLAR RUIN YOUR SUMMER SEASON! USE THESE SIMPLE AND AFFORDABLE HOME SECURITY TIPS FROM SHATTERGARD [print this page] DON'T LET A BURGLAR RUIN YOUR SUMMER SEASON! USE THESE SIMPLE AND AFFORDABLE HOME SECURITY TIPS FROM SHATTERGARD
Burglar Activity Is At Its Peak During the Holliday Season
The Summer season is meant to be a time to rejoice with family and friends, but while most people are getting into the summer spirit, increasingly dedicated thieves find the season an opportune time to prey on homes. Amidst the hours spent shopping and traveling to visit family, homeowners often leave their homes unoccupiedduring the summer season. With some very quick and easy security preparations, homeowners can prevent themselves from becoming the next victim of a burglary this summer season. http://shattergard.com/home_ongard.html
Today, Jordan Frankel, CEO and founder of ShatterGARD Inc., a leader in the security products industry and a residential security expert providing onsite home and business security assessments, offered homeowners the following simple and affordable tips to help keep their homes safe and secure during this summer season.
Alarm Systems: During a majority of break-ins, burglars gain access to the home through unlocked doors or windows. In addition, many homeowners forget to set their alarm system. It may sound like common sense however many people forget to lock the doors and set the alarm. Needless to say these are key ingredients in securing any home. Homeowners should also:
Connect the alarm system directly to the alarm company's central monitoring station, so the police are immediately notified of a break-in. Thieves often cut phone lines, so it's crucial to include a cellular back-up dialer to a new or existing system.
Install motion sensors throughout the home and glass break sensors on all first floor windows
Display the signage provided by the alarm company to serve as an initial deterrent for thieves
Locate the alarm system's central panel in a locked cabinet or an indoor utility room, to prevent tampering
Lighting: Burglars typically select a poorly lit home, as darkness affords additional cover from watchful neighbors or passers-by. To provide a sufficient light deterrent:
Install low-wattage dusk-till-dawn light fixtures, which emit a soft glow around the perimeter of the home all night
Use basic timers for interior lamps set to alternating times, to give the appearance of movement throughout the house
Doors and Windows: With recent advances in locking mechanisms, some alternatives to standard doorknob locks are now relatively affordable. Property owners should consider:
Install a security door brace such as OnGARD to keep your front door from being kicked in. http://shattergard.com/home_ongard.html
Installing captive key deadbolt locks or a second deadbolt on the bottom portion of the door, to prevent a thief from smashing a window and accessing the lock
Positioning a simple closet rod in a sliding glass door track can reinforce against an intruder
Applying security window film provides an extra layer of defense from thieves attempting to smash a window to gain access to a home.
Mounting a solid wood or metal door with 3.5 inch long steel screws that fasten the hinges to the door frame will stand up to most breaching attempts
Installing a security door brace such as OnGUARD is key to stopping a kick in.
Landscaping: Appropriate landscaping can help deter intruders from accessing windows while maintaining an aesthetic appeal. Homeowners should:
Keep trees and bushes trimmed back from the house and windows to diminish the likelihood of an intruder using the shrubs as cover. Tree limbs should also be trimmed to prevent an intruder from using a tree to access a second story entry point.
Plant low-growing sharp or thorny bushes, such as holly or rose shrub, under windows, or add gravel or landscape rock, which make for noisy footing
Secure the Garage: Garages are favorite targets for thieves not only because they are usually unoccupied but because they offer direct access to the remainder of the home. A few simple countermeasures to deter an intruder's ability to access the garage are:
Change the codes on the door's remote control often, so thieves cannot open it with a store bought remote
Add motion and glass break sensors to all windows in the garage
Keep the garage door closed, since an empty garage or a missing vehicle can alert thieves that the home is unattended.
