subject: More Than A Locked Door: Five Other Crucial Home Security Tips [print this page] More Than A Locked Door: Five Other Crucial Home Security Tips
Too often, people assume that doing the small things to keep your house safe is all that you have to do. While it is really important to remember to shut and lock your door, for example, that is one of many steps you and your housemates should be taking to keep things safe. In a time of economic uncertainty, it becomes more important than ever before to do a little bit extra to keep your house safe and secure. After all, now that the crime rate is rising no matter the type of neighborhood, it is a lot less feasible to say that your neighborhood and your personal house or apartment are not a potential target for someone who needs to make a quick buck.
But don't get too overwhelmed with the prospect of figuring out how to increase your home security, especially if you happen to be on a rather tight budget. There are simple steps as easy as remembering to turn a key that will have your residence more burglar-proof than ever before. Here are six other important security tips that can make the difference between being the victim of a robbery or just another house on the block.
Tip Number 1 - Remember the deadbolt. When you're already closing and locking your door, you are likely only remembering or taking the time to lock the knob, not the deadbolt. And while this is obviously important, too, most criminals are easily able to pick those sort of locks, and then there is nothing else protecting your home. By remembering to lock the deadbolt, too, you are making it far more difficult to break in. And when it comes to criminals, no one wants to stand around waiting to get caught. Those couple of seconds can mean a lot for your home security if a robber decides to try another property instead.
Tip Number 2 - Advertise your dog. This is only if you have a dog, because if you do not, this will be obvious. Leave dog chew toys by the back door, keep a water or food bowl out, and even put up a "beware of dog" sign. While a dog will not always be enough of a deterrent, if you do have one that likes to bark and is going to be indoors, that can be enough of a risk factor that a burglar doesn't want to try to break in after all.
Tip Number 3 - Pay attention to the news. Is there a rise in crime in your neighborhood? Have you and your neighbors noticed that it feels as though break-ins are happening more and more, or at particular times? By being up to date on what's happening in other parts of your community, you can sometimes figure out when your home is at its most vulnerable, and take the steps necessary to try and decrease that vulnerability.
Tip Number 4 - Secure the goods. If you have an expensive laptop or beloved electric guitar, try to not leave them in obvious places where they are easy to grab. For electronic information that is important, be sure that you have an external hard drive that is kept someplace secure in your home, like a safe. Likewise, if you are someone who loves nice jewelry, it might be better to keep the most beloved items in a safe deposit box or in a home safe.
Tip Number 5 - Set your home alarm system. Okay, this might seem like one that is too obvious, but you really cannot stress how serious this particular tip is. Forgetting to do this, or making it impossible for the alarm to work right by not shutting all windows and doors securely, is offering robbers a free pass into your home. And that is not something anyone wants to do.
