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How to Secure Your Home
How to secure your home in an uncertain world? It can be challenging, but can be done with a bit of thought and planning. And you don’t have to break the bank to do it.
Burglars are criminals intent on either stealing what you have or harming you or your family. The common thought is that if they break in during the day, they’re after your ‘stuff’. But, if they break in at night, they are after YOU.
The ‘stuff’ they steal can usually be replaced – but they always steal more than ‘stuff’. They steal your sense of security and leave you feeling very much violated.
I remember the time I went to the mall and parked in the parking lot just like always. After shopping, I went back to my car and something just felt strange. When I looked around, I noticed that my CD player was missing. There was just a hole there where it used to be. My first emotion was surprise, then anger that someone would just break into my car and take what they wanted. Then the feeling of being violated crept in and it took a long, long time before that feeling subsided. And that was just a CD player out of my car. What if it was in my home? In my bedroom? In my children’s rooms? It’s a very frightening thought.
Burglary Statistics
- 65% of burglaries are home break-ins.
- 65% of burglars know their victims. Scary thought!
- A third of all burglars come in through the front door.
- Over 20% enter through the back door or ground-floor windows
- Most burglaries occur from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- The average burglary loss is over $2,500
- 8 out of 10 burglaries are committed by common thugs – not professional burglars.
- An average break-in lasts less than 10 minutes.
- Over 50% of burglarized homes are burglarized again.
Are You Secure With a Security System?
Not really! Think about what security systems are designed for. They are designed to alert you when someone has entered your home, and they do it very well. BUT, the problem is that it’s too late at that point. THEY’RE ALREADY INSIDE YOUR HOME!
Why not stop the criminal BEFORE he gets inside? Why not make it so hard for him that he gives up and goes somewhere else? Criminals like easy jobs, homes they can break into quickly and be out in just a few minutes.
High-tech security systems are popular right now, but what happens if the electricity is off? Would the system work? What about police response time? Could help arrive in time when the average burglar is in and out of your home in less than 10 minutes? The very best way to secure your home is with no-tech methods. They are more secure and will prevent the intruder from getting into your home in the first place!
Take a look at this infographic and see that everything on the list is non-technical except for a camera. And you could even do without the camera with the other options installed.
How to Secure Your Home Without An Alarm
It’s easy! I prefer the no-tech approach because it will always work whether or not the electricity is on. It will work in case of an EMP or Grid-down situation. Now, there’s one instance when it won’t work at all…when you leave your doors and windows unlocked! Nothing will work at that point. You have to remain diligent at all times and make sure your family is paying attention as well.
We sell a system that is similar to this drawing. These are steel plates and when installed with 3″ long screws, will prevent your doors from being kicked in. Call 615-428-8500 and we’ll get this great product right to you.
Here are photos of the steel plates installed on a door. Not very noticeable, but so much protection. These are installed with long screws that go into the door frame itself, thereby giving you a tremendous edge when someone tries to break into your home.
These reinforcement plates should be installed on ALL your exterior doors. Stop that burglar COLD!
Here’s another great way to prevent intrusion into your home. This is the Door Bull and it very simple to install. We’ll give you the best price you will find anywhere. Just call us at 615-428-8500.
What About Window Security?
Common sense tells you to make sure all your windows are always locked…unless you want fresh air and will open them for a short time. Then, remember to lock them back when finished. You can also install security window locks as shown here:
8-Mil Security Window Film
Security Window Film is another way to secure your windows. Instead of someone being able to break a window to gain entrance with one blow, this film will harden your window glass. The burglar will now have to hit it numerous times before they can break in, which gives you those precious seconds or minutes to get your family to safety. I would recommend applying this window film on all windows that could be breached from the ground level.
More Security Ideas for Your Home
Although doors and windows are the major entrance points for burglars, there are several more things we can do to protect our homes from invaders.
How Vulnerable Is Your Garage Door?
So, you’ve hardened your doors and windows, now what? Go into your garage and take a look at the manual release handle on your garage opener.
Look for a little pull string that functions as a manual release for your garage door opener. Did you know that a burglar armed with only a coat hanger can get inside your home within a couple of minutes? You can either secure it with a zip tie or remove the little handle on the end. Anything to keep that coat hanger from grabbing it.
Do You Have a Barking Dog?
We’ve all seen the movies showing a burglar poisoning or disabling a big outside dog in order to break into your house. And it’s true, watchdogs can be easily neutralized with the right methods. But, an inside barking dog will always alert you to intruders or prowlers.
Pretend You’re a Burglar!
Take a critical look at your home through their eyes. Burglars like hiding places – where they can be concealed if the need arises. Like maybe you coming home unexpectedly. Observe your house as you approach from the road and look for places where burglars could hide.
Then walk around the house to look for places where they could gain entrance. If you plant some thorny bushes under your windows, it would most likely prevent a burglar from climbing in that window. They don’t want to get scratched and hurt tangling with a thorn bush. Roses are good for this purpose, but there are many other thorny bushes.
Do You Leave Your Exterior Garages and Sheds Unlocked?
Are your exterior garages and sheds locked and secured? Do you know how many burglars break into these spaces and grab your tools – only to use them against you? Ladders, crowbars, shovels, hammers, etc. You get the idea.
What About Ladders and Trees?
Is there a tree close enough to your house that a burglar could use to climb to gain access to your 2nd story windows? Or a ladder in your outbuilding that he could use to break in?
Safety Hazards at Home
There are so many safety hazards around a home that we all need to be aware of. Consider who lives in your home in order to determine these hazards. For instance, a bottle of bleach might not be a concern if only adults live in the house. But what about a child who could find and open it? If there is a child or children living in your home, you should take special care to keep chemicals, cleaners, and prescription medications where they can’t get into them.
These are way too easy for kids to turn on.
A simple thing like adding antifreeze to your car’s radiator can be deadly to a pet. Make sure any spills don’t puddle on the ground, because pets will drink it. Never, never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol because it forms a toxic gas that can be very dangerous. Home safety and security is a matter of using good common sense and paying attention.
Falls – If you have an elderly person living with you, it might be a good idea to add grab bars in the bathroom…especially near the bathtub. Many older people fall when trying to get in and out of the tub. Also, be sure there are safety rails near any stairs, inside or out. Throw rugs are another hazard to avoid. It’s so easy to trip and fall over a rug.
Make sure your smoke detectors always have fresh batteries, and correct any defective wiring in the house. A carbon monoxide and/or radon detector will offer additional protection.
Secure Your Home from Natural Threats
There’s not much you can do if you take a direct hit from a severe storm, tornado, or hurricane. But you can prepare a shelter from these storms. You can buy a Tornado shelter and build it into your garage or basement floors. I have one that will withstand an F5 tornado.
Flooding from a hurricane is another story. You wouldn’t want to be in a basement shelter if flooding occurs. Each location and situation is different, so please consider what you have to work with and make plans accordingly.
Buy a generator and have it on hand for emergencies. Don’t fail to have a bug-out bag for each member of the family within easy reach so you could grab and go. Check out this list of SHTF Supplies to help with your preparations.
Earthquakes happen along fault lines and you’ll have to determine how much of a threat this would be to you and your home. Take a look at this map in relation to where you live. It compares the impact zones from the San Andreas 1906 earthquake to the New Madrid earthquake in 1811.
Most attention has been paid to the California earthquake areas, but for some reason, not much concern regarding the New Madrid seismic zone. But, you can see how many more people would be affected, and most are unaware or unconcerned about the threat.
One thing you could do is have a structural engineer analyze your home to check for weak areas. However, you can easily see cracks in the foundation yourself and make sure they are repaired. Have a contractor evaluate your attic to see where sturdier framing lumber could be added for additional roof strength. Are there any weak or dead trees in the yard that could fall on your house? These are all ways that you can secure your home against natural disasters.
EMP Shield to Protect Your Whole House
Although we may never have to live through an EMP blast, the threat from an EMP is very real. If it doesn’t happen, no problem. BUT, if it does, all our lives would be forever changed. An EMP Shield has been developed that will give our homes and vehicles protection in case of an EMP blast. We offer you a $50 discount by using our link. It’s very simple to install and gives tremendous peace of mind. It won’t make much difference to normal activities if the grid goes down, but it will protect things inside your house from being fried.
And, if you have a generator or a few solar panels, you could have the normal use of a few things that you’re accustomed to having. Things like a coffee pot, fans, and lights to name a few. An EMP is something we should take seriously, especially when it’s so easy to install the shield.
Don’t forget to secure your important papers into a safety deposit box. Make sure all Property deeds, mortgages, birth certificates, divorce decrees, bank and investment accounts, and all legal documents are secured.
Please leave a comment for me with any ideas you have about how to secure your home. I would like to share them with other readers. Thank you in advance and hope to hear from you soon!
Thanks for the article, it was well written and articulate. Would you mind if I shared this with my audience?
Please share! As long as it isn’t copied online. Thanks!