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 One of the biggest enemies to home security is the belief that "it won’t happen to me".
We all know prevention is better than cure but many fail to apply this belief to something as important as the security of their home and family. So, what can you do right now to better secure your home from the threat of fire, burglary, or medical, hostage and other emergencies?
The first step to avoiding unwelcome visitors is to lock them out. Your front door is their first barrier.
The front door
If a burglar can get in your front door, it is easier for them to get your stuff out!
With locks, you get what you pay for. A few dollars up front can prevent a sizable loss later. You want the best quality locks you can afford! Install deadlocks. Deadlocks provide better security, as they require you to use a key. Even better are morticed deadlocks, where the lock is embedded into the door, as they are even harder for a burglar to overcome.
Burglars can open some front doors simply using a credit card to push back the tongue of the lock. Some homes even have exposed hinges that only serve as an invitation for a burglar to break the pin and get inside.
Another worthwhile investment for the front door is a peephole. A 180 degree peephole gives you the advantage of checking who is at the front door before you open it. Also be sure that the area can be clearly lit at night. If you can’t see who is at the door, don’t open it!
Screen doors
Many screen doors sold today can be broken open with a screwdriver. To help prevent this, you may choose to purchase a “security” screen door (particularly if you like to allow fresh air in during the summer). A screen door labelled as a “security” door must comply with certain standards. Of the security screen doors, a triple-locking door is one of the hardest to break into.
Just moved in? Change the locks!
If you have just moved in to your new home, it is a good idea to replace all the locks. You have security with a lock only when you can account for every key; pay for a qualified and reputable locksmith to change the keyways and establish good key control from the outset. This is particularly important if there have been a few previous owners. The only keys to your new home should be yours!
Just moved in? Change the alarm codes!
It's just as important to have the alarm codes changed as soon as you move in. You may also wish to upgrade the Life Safety Solution which comes with the house so please contact us directly. ADT alarm monitoring replaces reliance on neighbours, who you probably don’t know after just moving.
A window of opportunity
In New Zealand, only a small percentage of break-ins involve a burglar breaking all the glass in a window as a means to get inside. This is because it can take too long, be too noisy, and the burglar can be risking injury. This does not mean that they will not attempt to break the window and tamper with the lock in order to open it! To help prevent entry via your windows, install key locks. It is recommended that the same brand of lock be installed on all the windows to keep it convenient to use them. Remember, if convenience and home security clash, convenience often wins.
Also keep any trees or shrubs around windows trim. Whilst they may seem to increase your privacy, they may be doing so at the expense of keeping the burglary private too!
Lighting
Two of the biggest enemies to burglars are noise and light. Installing lights around your home that are activated by movement can help deter unwelcome visitors. Exterior sensor lights also help to light the path to the front door for when you return home. It is also a good idea to have an option whereby you can floodlight the perimeter of your home if you are home alone or away. Timers can be useful to activate these perimeter lights if you are planning to go on holidays.
Street number
Is your street number clearly visible? Clearly visible street numbers assist the services (police, fire, ambulance) find your home in an emergency.
Outside the home
Garages and garden sheds are targets for thieves so should be fitted with solid doors and double cylinder deadlocks, especially when you're away from home. Also ensure that the fences and gates of your property are able to restrict access to your property. Sturdy fences with good locks are a strong deterrent to thieves. Another method of prevention is to make sure your landscaping is free from potential 'hiding places' for thieves. Trim trees and shrubs to allow visibility of your home and reduce a thief's opportunity to burgle your property. Having your power box within a cupboard and locked with an Electricity Authority lock will help stop thieves tampering with your power supply.
Alarming your home
The best home security is provided through a security system. There are two main types of security systems available: a local alarm and a monitored system. Local alarms are designed to make a lot of noise to help scare a potential burglar off and alert your neighbours. By far the better solution is to install a fully monitored security system. These systems do not just make a lot of noise. Instead, they send a signal to a monitoring centre, such as the ADT monitoring centre, so that the right people can respond in the case of an emergency. Even if you are at home and there is a potential threat or home invasion risk, a monitored system may help deal with your emergency and escalate it quickly.
You can learn more about monitored security systems by checking out the ADT Life Safety Solutions available to you.
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