Safetouch Security How to Stop Burglars from Targeting Your Home
So can you stop burglars from targeting your home? This month we are focusing on some tips to secure your home as the summer approaches and you may be thinking of taking some time away.
10 Ways To Make Your Home Unattractive To Burglars
Written by Shani Valencia
The last thing we should have to worry about is if someone is going to break into our home when we leave for a few hours.
In order to stop burglars from targeting your home, you have to make your home unattractive to them and keep it secure.
A few things to keep in mind when trying to achieve this look:
- Keep accessible doors and windows closed.
- Set up timers on your lights indoors and outdoors.
- Don’t post on social media that you’ll be away for an extended period of time. This gives burglars a heads up that a home will be unattended and make it a target.
- Make your home hard to approach secretly. A motion-activated light could help with this by scaring burglar off. Prickly bushes also may help by making it uncomfortable to hide in for an intruder.
- Keep your valuables out of sight from the outside. Electronics such as TV, video games, and computers can be a temptation for burglars.
- Make arrangements for your mail and deliveries if you plan to be gone for an extended period of time.
- Let a neighbor or someone you trust know you will be gone so they can keep an eye on your property.
- Consider getting a dog. Let’s be honest… a barking dog will scare anyone away in fear they will be bitten.
- Make sure your security system is working and all cameras are facing the direction they need to be facing.
- Last but not least, double-check all your doors and windows to make sure everything is locked.
(Source: Huffington Post)
What To Do If There Is An Intruder In Your Home
Written by Rachel Pitts
So you have done everything you can to keep burglars from targeting your home but you come home from a fun afternoon out around Tampa Bay with your family to find your door open. Or maybe you are home and you think you hear someone else in your house. What do you do? Here are some tips on what to do if there is an intruder in your home.
- Stay calm and do not panic.
- Call 9-1-1.
- Say, “I would like to report a (type of incident: Burglary and/or home intruder).”
- Give the complete address and the closest major intersection. Give any other descriptions of your
home and any vehicles that are in the driveway. - Give a complete description of the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle, including tag number when
possible. - If you are home, do not try to apprehend the intruder.
- Give a complete description of items taken or destroyed.
- Take photos and/or videos of your home after the intrusion.
- Let officials know if you have home security cameras, so you can provide video/images of the
suspect & incident. - Stay on the line until the operator advises she has all the information; remember to ask for an
“report number”.
7 Common Mistakes Made When Going On Vacation And Leaving Your Home
Written by Shani Valencia
Preparing to go on vacation can be hectic. From trying to pack and make plans, many of us forget to secure our home and do things that could put our home in danger without even thinking about it. Here are 7 common mistakes that are made when going on vacation and leaving your home. Take these mistakes into consideration for how to stop burglars from targeting your home and keep it protected while you’re gone.
- Announcing your vacation on social media. This is basically sending a flare to a waiting burglar looking to take advantage of you being away. Wait until you are home if you want to show off your vacation pictures on social media.
- You forget to check windows and doors before you leave. YES! Even check the ones you think burglars will not reach.
- Not getting someone to watch your home. When you have someone to watch over your home, you can get them to check everything around your home, including your mail, and even watering your plants. With this Florida heat, your plants will melt in a day. Also, they can check on any electronics that could possibly go bad in the home.
- Many neglect adjusting their thermostat. Adjust it to a point where it will not run up your electrical bill while you’re not there.
- Keeping your pet at home. Of course, our pets love to be at home, but many could get separation anxiety even if they have a sitter. But, leaving them home alone for an extended period of time with limited supervision could lead to them chewing on an electrical cable or even breaking a window, leading them to escape or leaving an open space for burglars to enter.
- Not investing in smart security or turning on your security system. It’s a great idea to get some smart light bulbs just so you can control the lighting while you’re not there so it appears someone is in the home. Also, even if you are only going to be away for a short period of time still set your security system. You are paying for it, so why not use it all the time.
- Leaving electronics plugged in. When leaving for an extended period of time, make sure you’re unplugging any electrical devices. This will help you save money on your electrical bill and can also prevent any issues if a power surge occurs. Even turn off ceiling fans, too.
(Source: bobvila.com)
Photos: Shutterstock