Five Ways to Improve Your Home Security
With the holiday season behind us and the start of a new year, our thoughts tend to turn to organizing our homes and taking inventory of all the new items we might of purchased or received during the holidays. Unfortunately, some families who have been victimized by crime during the holidays also have traumatic memories associated with the season. A home burglary doesn’t just result in property loss, it also shatters your peace of mind and leaves you feeling vulnerable in your own home. Don’t let this happen to you—follow the simple tips below to dramatically decrease the likelihood of burglars targeting your home.
Trim your shrubs
If you have large bushes or shrubs around your home, especially near ground level windows or doors, these can provide the perfect cover for burglars. Obviously deciduous shrubs don’t offer as much concealment in the winter, but evergreen shrubs are a problem year round. Keep your shrubs trimmed so that they don’t obstruct the view of your home from the street, and it will make your home a less attractive target for burglars.
Don’t advertise in your trash
Receiving a new gift or purchasing a large TV for the yearly football finale? Be sure to cut up the box and put it in a trash bag before taking it out to the curb for trash pickup. Otherwise, you might as well put an ad on the front page of the “Burglar Times” letting would-be thieves know what loot they would get if they robbed your house.
Keep your blinds closed
Don't give burglars the chance to scope out your home. With the winter season upon us, keep curtains and blinds closed to keep wandering eyes at bay. Your home will be better insulated from the cold weather too.
Use exterior lighting with motion sensors
Burglars tend to avoid well-lit homes, installing floodlights with motion sensors attached that stay up year-round will deter unwanted visitors —it sends the message that a homeowner is security-conscious and probably has other less-visible safeguards in place as well.
Consider installing a monitored alarm system
All of the above recommendations will help, but when it comes to home security nothing beats a monitored alarm system. A monitored burglar alarm not only makes noise when an intruder attempts to enter your home, it also alerts a central monitoring station, which in turn alerts local law enforcement.
Modern alarms use wireless sensors, making them very easy to install. Also, they can be monitored via the cellular network, so you don’t even need a landline telephone. In addition to burglar alarms, new home security systems can incorporate smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as home automation functions like keyless door locks, remote temperature control, and lighting control.
One you have an alarm system installed, broadcast that fact through the use of yard signs and window decals so that potential burglars know your home is protected. Also, get a certificate from your alarm company so that you can save money on your homeowner’s insurance policy. Be sure to contact your insurance agent to apply the discount for the monitored alarm system.
Don’t be an easy target
If you follow all of the above tips, you will reduce the chance of your home being burglarized to virtually zero. Thieves are looking for an easy target, so you don’t need to turn your home into Ft. Knox to avoid a break-in—you simply need to take common-sense precautions that make it obvious you have home security at the top of your mind.
About Dynamark Security of Richmond
Dynamark Security of Richmond is a top-rated Richmond alarm company that serves the security needs of both residential and commercial clients throughout the area. They provide alarm monitoring services, home and business security system installation, and security cameras. They’ve been locally owned for over 30 years, and are supported by one of the most trusted brands in the security industry.