Ensuring the safety of your homes and property

It is estimated that within the time frame of one minute four burglaries occur in the US alone, to put that into perspective that is 5,760 burglaries each day and 2,102, 400 every year. This alarming rate of break-ins demonstrates the severity of this societal malaise and further emphasizes the need for efficient burglary/theft deterrent systems.

For most home and property owners security is a secondary issue, and as such it is one of the first areas individuals look to make budget cuts. While that seems to be profitable in the short term, the consequences can be far-reaching in the long term. On the average the cost borne by a homeowner due to a burglary is $1725, if you factor in loss due to damage to infrastructure that accompanies a robbery attempt, it is easy to see that taking proactive measures to protect your property is way cheaper than remedying the situation.

Improving home security doesn’t necessarily have to be cost intensive though, with the right knowledge, a blend of simple yet effective security measures and their more premium counterparts can bolster home security to a level where it is more or less impregnable. To that regard, the list below summates effective ways to ensure the safety of you home, life and property.

Lighting

Darkness provides a cover for burglars and intruders to perpetrate their devious acts. Making sure your house and neighboring surroundings is well lit discourages thieves from getting close to your property. If you don’t have budget constraints, you can opt for a motion activated lighting system. These are discrete and offer better energy savings.

Installing a Visible Surveillance system

According to the Washington Post, the typical burglar is a young male who lives nearby (usually within a couple of miles) to your home. Since this class of individuals are not professionals, one of their top priorities is to avoid getting seen. A good way to deter them is by installing a glaringly visible CCTV system that screams ‘you are being watched.’ Even for pro burglars and invaders, an active surveillance system is difficult to bypass, as most monitoring systems are constructed from highly durable materials that afford them the rigidity to withstand damage.

Dependable doors and impregnable locks

Doors and locks are the gateways to your property, and unsurprisingly it is the choice route for burglars seeking entry into your building. According to the Bureau of Justice, 62% of burglars gain access using doors (either through the back, front or other accessory doors) compared to 23% that utilize windows. It is therefore imperative that your doors and their corresponding locks are made of top quality materials. You should be looking to get a robust and sturdy door, with a similarly well-built frame. Most people tend to ignore the structural integrity of the door frame, without realizing that it is as important as the main body of the door. Except they serve a purpose, the general convention is to stay clear of doors that have windows as this makes the job of breaking in a lot easier. In the case where a windowed door is essential, be sure to get one with reinforced glass.

Having the best door, and frame amounts to nothing if your lock is subpar. Thankfully the technological push of the 21st century has led to the development of more efficient and fail proof locks. Nowadays traditional locks have taken the backburner stance, and sophisticated electronic locks which are basically invulnerable except through the use of brute force are the order of the day. Whether you opt for a traditional or modernized electronic lock, one way to add redundancy is to install an accompanying deadbolt. With a deadbolt in place, your door is effectively fool proof.

While it might be tempting to install these components by yourself; it is in the best interest of both you and your property to enlist the services of a Locksmith. Locksmiths are professionals well-grounded in the field of doors and locks. And aside from helping you install, they can also proffer advice and tips on best practices with regards to maintenance.

Smart Alarm Systems

Alarm systems are designed to catch burglars in the act. They are particularly useful for people who work long hours or decide to go on a vacation. Different types of alarm systems are available depending on your budget. However, for maximal efficacy, the best options are smart alarm systems. These are natively designed not only to ring an alarm but also alert relevant authorities in the event of a break in. Some even go further to synchronize with a user specified mobile devices in real-time regardless of the location of the user.

With sustained vigilance and implementation of the measures outlined above, you are on the right track to ensuring the safety of your life and property. That said, to stay ahead of burglars and thieves who are always devising ways of evading newer technologies it is essential that you routinely update your security measures. Practices like frequently changing lock passwords and safeguarding the location of your keys also help in preventing burglary attempts, hopefully in the nearest future this societal problem would be brought to a grinding halt.