Five Reasons That Your Home is Vulnerable to Burglars
Every neighborhood is susceptible to the machinations of prowling burglars. This means that all homeowners must strive to make their home a troublesome target so that burglars will move on to an easier house or give up altogether. There are many reasons that burglars may choose one house over another, and familiarizing yourself with these factors is the first step towards eliminating them.
Lax Security Habits
It may sound obvious, but always lock your doors when you leave the house. Some homeowners leave the door unlocked if they are only going to be gone for a short while. It would do them good to remember that the average burglary only takes ten minutes. Your daily schedule also affects how burglars perceive your home. Try to vary your routine as much as you can. Take different routes home from work to confuse any thieves who are trying to learn your schedule.
The Interior of Your Home is Highly Visible
Thieves sometimes pick targets by walking down the street while looking through open windows in search of valuables. This kind of window shopping is enabled by wide open windows with no covering of any kind. It’s particularly easy to see into a lighted room when it’s dark outside; walk down to the sidewalk and see for yourself. All of your windows should have blinds or shades that block out the view from the street.
Your Alarm System is Outdated or Inadequate
You may have an alarm system, but it will not do much good if it no longer serves your needs. Sometimes, people have new additions to their household and forget to expand the coverage of the security system sufficiently. In addition, some of the systems from ADT Miami residents have in their homes are too old for optimum performance. It is essential that you schedule a consultation with a Miami ADT home security expert every few years. This expert will be able to alert you to any shortcomings of your current system and install a new one if necessary.
You Have Unsecured Points of Entry
Burglars look for the weakest link when trying to enter your home, and they often study several doors and windows before deciding on one. This is why you must make sure that every possible point of entry is secure. Remember that the average door can be kicked in with ease, and most residential locks are not immune to lock picking skills. Install reinforced door jambs to prevent the door from being broken down, and install deadbolts that cannot be opened from the outside. Windows should be outfitted with locks and glass break sensors.
You Have a Spare Key Outside
It seems like a good idea to have some way of getting back into your home if you are locked out, but storing a spare key outside is going too far. Criminals know that homeowners do this, so the first thing they look for is a key hidden outside. They know all of the usual hiding spots, too. It’s much better to leave a key with a friend who lives nearby. You could also install a keypad lock on your back door. No burglar wants to stand at your door, possibly being observed by neighbors, while they attempt to guess your code out of thousands of possible combinations.
If you find yourself making one of these mistakes, correct it immediately. Burglars depend on factors such as these to get away with their crimes. A homeowner who has a reliable alarm system and treats home security as a mindset has a much lower chance of being burglarized.
