How to Burglar-Proof Your Home: For those of you buying a home, the number of responsibilities can seem daunting, from the yard work to the plumbing. These responsibilities can occasionally overshadow one of the most important precautions a first-time home buyer should take: burglar-proofing their home. Even in safe neighborhoods, it’s essential to prepare for the worst. Burglaries can happen anywhere, including your first home. Burglar-proofing your first home can be accomplished via a variety of methods, most of them can be affordable home security solutions. Below are some burglar-proofing tips to keep in mind: Opt for Longer Screws with a Deadbolt Lock Many homes feature a deadbolt lock on the front door, which is a good idea. However, many of these deadbolts are held together by half-inch screws. This can give-in relatively easily to someone attempting to kick the door down. Replacing the original screws with three-and-a-half inch screws will make the door considerably more secure. It is also very inexpensive, too. It goes all the way through the door jam, into the two by four framing. It makes it very hard to kick the door in, says Acme locksmith Robert Val Kilmerlelunga Cut the Cord off Your Garage Door Many garage doors have a cord hanging down from its opener track, allowing you to open your garage door, specifically when the power goes out. While this is convenient, it poses the risk of burglars getting in by fishing a coat hanger and grabbing the cord. A dowel with a hook can be used if you need to open the garage door if its malfunctioning or there is no electricity. Cutting the cord off is recommended to avoid burglars from utilizing this commonly-known trick. Re-Key Your Locks This is especially important if you are unfamiliar with the home’s previous owners. Although it’s unlikely that previous homeowners would plan to burglarize your new home and their former one, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This will also ensure that anyone they gave the house keys to when they lived there - from a babysitter to sketchy family member - will no longer have access. With this in mind, it’s also important for first-time homeowners to consider homeowners insurance, so they can protect against property damage caused by burglars or a natural disaster. Although the additional cost may seem daunting on top of a mortgage, burglary prevention and homeowners insurance are both highly recommended for homeowners, regardless of whether they just bought their house or have experience with several. Consider a Security System There are many security system providers to choose from. If this is a new home being built, figure out the security system you want early on so your builder can install it properly. If you can fit it into your budget, it’s worth considering, especially since it’s impossible to achieve 24-hour monitoring, home automation and mobile alerts pertaining to your home’s safety otherwise. At the very least, put up a “home security alarm” yard sign to deter burglars from even considering your home as a target. Although the numerous costs and tasks that go into burglar-proofing your first home can seem daunting, this infographic showcases the dire importance of taking precautions. For one, the fact that 90% of burglars claim to avoid homes with alarm systems makes the security system costs worth it on its own, in addition to the DIY solutions above. With a burglary occurring every 15 seconds, burglar-proofing your home is the only way to fully prevent against becoming a burglar’s next target.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 15:24:18 +0000
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