In order to implement the proper home-protective measures, we need to first understand the criminal’s mindset. The vast majority of burglars are amateur criminals who are merely intent on stealing easily removable items; jewelry, laptops, cameras, firearms, etc. However, most are desperate and willing to escalate the level of violence if confronted. Having to deal with the uncertainties and danger that comes with confronting a criminal who has penetrated your home is a very undesirable situation. The very best thing a homeowner can do is avoid this type of confrontation by putting measures in place to prevent anyone from gaining access to their home.
To do this, you must convert your home into a mini fortress; in actuality or in appearance. Many criminals conduct surveillance of homes in a particular neighborhood, assessing which ones they should target and which they should avoid. They usually make their selection based on the ease of the job. In other words, they will select “soft targets” over “hard targets”. We want to put measures in place that make our fortress the hardest target possible, deterring even the most brazen thieves and sending them in search of a less formidable objective. Creating the perception that your home is impenetrable without detection is the goal.
Criminals consider many things when deciding which homes to target. The perceived ease of entry into a home is the number one factor. Additional things they try to avoid are: 1/ Noise. 2/ Light and 3/ Ease of detection.
Below is a list of some of the ways you can make your home into the hardest target possible. This is by no means a complete, foolproof list but it certainly is a good start. By implementing some of these measures, you may just prevent the would be burglar/home invader from gaining entry into your home, help to delay their entry or preferably, deter them from ever attempting to penetrate your home.
Lights
- Keep your house well lit at night especially around entry points. Install motion-detecting floodlights around your home. Use timers on interior lighting to give the appearance that someone is home/awake.
Noise
- Install a quality alarm system and set it when you are home as well as away. Make sure everyone knows what to do when the alarm sounds especially in the middle of the night. i.e. – Have a plan.
- Have a secondary alarm keypad in your master bedroom that can be used to sound a panic alarm or quickly access alarm controls.
- If you don’t have an alarm, post alarm company stickers and signs around the exterior of your home. These alone can serve as a good deterrent.
- Large dogs are very much a deterrent for burglars but even a smaller dogs’ bark can chase away would-be criminals. Not only can dogs be a great addition to the family but to the home protection plan as well.
Cameras
- Install a quality system with motion sensors, infrared and a recording device with ample storage.
- Make the cameras as visible as possible. In areas where it may be difficult to run wiring, purchase a few fake cameras to give the appearance that the entire perimeter is being monitored.
- Make sure you hide the cameras recording device so a thief can’t take the recording of their crime.
- Set up the cameras with overlapping fields of view to capture multiple camera angles
- Utilize cameras inside the home as well, focusing on possible entry points.
- Internet cameras can also be a good option if you’re away and would like to monitor your home.
Doors, windows and locks
- Always lock your doors. This may seem obvious but many people don’t lock their doors when they are at home.
- Keep your garage door shut at all times. Newer automatic garage door systems have an auto shut feature that will close the door after a pre-set amount of time if you or your kids forget to do so.
- Garage door openers, if stolen from your car, can give someone immediate access to your home. However, if you have an older garage door system the thief need not have possession of your opener. All a criminal needs is the preset code that works your garage door. If your vehicle is ever broken into, whether the remote is stolen or not, immediately change your systems code.
- Use solid-core, steel frame exterior doors including the door into your garage.
- All doors should have deadbolts and consider flip-over latches.
- Upgrade your locks to high security locks. Bump-Proof locks with dual angled key grooves like Medeco are much more secure than average household locks.
- Consider installing longer screws into your doorjambs and hinges, preferably 3″.
- Get a wide-angle peephole to use before answering the door but consider one with a slide down cover to block the view. Criminals can utilize reverse peephole viewers to see inside your home.
- Always lock your gates (if applicable) to your backyard. Criminals prefer gaining entry into homes in areas where they have the least chance of being seen by a neighbor or passerby.
- Always lock windows, even second floor windows.
- Use secondary locking devices on windows to prevent them from opening past a certain height.
- Ensure windows have glass-break sensors connected to the alarm system.
- Install anti-break window film. If you have glass doors, make sure they’re double paned and laminated or have wire mesh in the glass.
- Cut a sturdy broomstick and place in the track of your sliding glass door to prevent it from being opened if the lock is bypassed.
- Keep blinds or shutters closed at night with the slats facing up. This will provide you the opportunity to peer out the window and see a would-be burglar.
Landscaping
- Be aware of the bushes surrounding exterior windows. Sharp prickly/thorny bushes will discourage these as entry points.
- Trim your exterior bushes to prevent hiding places and trim tree limbs that allow second story or roof access.
Misc.
- Be aware of the trash you leave at the curb. Break down boxes of high cost items such as TVs, computers and firearms and conceal them from prying eyes and the trash man.
- Set up a neighborhood watch and use email and texts to alert others of suspicious activity, vehicles and persons.
You may not be able to complete all of these suggestions in a single day but if you begin implementing one or two at a time, before long you will have transformed your home into a fortress. If you can accomplish this, you will have a better chance that the criminals will by-pass your home in search of a much softer target.
