Is Your Family Safe from Intruders?

Crime is an unfortunate part of life, and no matter where you live you can find yourself a victim of home intrusion. However, you can put into practice suggestions that can greatly reduce the odds of your family becoming the victim of intrusion. When it comes to home security, prevention is your strongest protection. So, what are some ways to help secure your home now?

The two most vulnerable spots for intrusion into your home are your windows and doors. It’s amazing how many people leave them open and/or unlocked. And an unlocked window or door is an open invitation. Even if you’re prudent and always keep your windows closed and locked, most glass panes can be broken very easily. Your first line of defense is to install "secure" locks on all windows and doors – ones that can’t be easily jimmied or picked - thus preventing an easy entry. If the budget allows, hardened glass should be installed in all windows and glass doors. At a minimum, consider replacing all glass doors with hardened glass.

Once you have taken care of your doors and locks, the simplest and most effective way to beef up home security is to have a dog. Your dog should be trained to bark at anyone approaching the house - and continue barking until you signal it off. Intruders want to get into and out of a house quickly and easily. An intruder doesn’t want to call attention to their activity by a dog’s loud and incessant barking. And if the dog is big enough they certainly don’t want to get bitten. All things being equal, an intruder will always pick a house without a barking dog.

Having a home security system with a loud alarm (and back up power in case electrical power is lost) is an excellent addition to any home security plan – whether you have a dog or not. Again, an intruder wants to get into and out of a house as quickly as possible. A loud alarm will call attention to his activity – and cannot be easily turned off. An intruder will always pick a house without an alarm – and flee as soon as the alarm sounds.

The next line of defense is your landscaping. Make sure all trees and bushes are trimmed away from the house – eliminating hiding places for intruders. Never leave any garden tool or ladder lying in the open. They can be used as tools or weapons. In addition, install outdoor security lighting. When you eliminate any place to hide – you eliminate the possibility of being ambushed at your own front door.

Thinking about hiding a key to your house somewhere in case you or a loved one gets locked out? Don’t do this, intruders know where to look. It is better to give a key to a trusted neighbor where you can get it in that rare instance when you must.

These lines of prevention are easy to do and relatively inexpensive. This is an area of your life where the maxim "an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure" certainly applies. Protect your family and your home – now. Don’t wait until next month to put your mind at ease.

Check out http://www.safetyandsecuritynow.com/ for your personal and home security needs.