Is Your Home a Burglar's Dream?
Before answering the above question, it's important to understand what constitutes a burglar dream. The typical burglar wants to spend as little time as possible breaking into a home. Every second that a burglar spends outside picking a lock or breaking a window is a second during which he or she may be spotted. So in this regard, it is easy to see that burglars usually go after easy targets.
Making Your Home a Hard Target
Installing a home burglar alarm system is an excellent way to give your house added protection. ADT is one of the most popular home security systems on the market, but there are many other excellent companies that provide comparable protection. However, installing a home burglar alarm system is not enough. It's also important to include a sticker or sign at various places outside of the house to let burglars know that your home is well protected. You'd be surprised how a simple ADT sticker on a door or window can quickly discouraged even the most committed burglar. They instantly realized that your home is not worth their time regardless of what types of valuables or funds you keep inside. There are other homes on the block that don't have the ADT seal of approval. Going after those other homes makes a lot more sense (no offense to your neighbors).
How Does a Home Burglar System Work Exactly?
Although different home security systems offer different features, the basics are usually the same. Detectors are set around all of the potential entry points (windows, doors, etc.). Once the perimeter is breached for any reason, a window of 30 seconds opens up during which a security code must be typed in so as to deactivate the alarm. If that security code is not entered, the alarm goes off, and the home security company will call to make sure everything is OK. During that phone call, the home security company will ask for verbal confirmation plus a password. If no password is provided, the home security company will send over a squad car and coordinate intervention with the local authorities.
Is a Home Burglar Alarm System Enough?
Quite clearly, a home burglar alarm system offers excellent protection, but is it enough? It really depends on the individual, but most would agree that a home security system by itself is not enough. It's still important to take other precautions. Below is a list of other steps you can take to increase the overall security of your home and belongings:
- Coordinate a neighborhood watch association.
- Make sure that all of your locks are up-to-date and in proper working order.
- Design emergency contingency plans with all of your family members in the event of a potential break in.
- Store valuables in a safety deposit box at a bank.
- Buy proper insurance for your home.
- Ask your home security company for additional recommendations. Many companies even provide a free consultation during which they judge the overall integrity of your existing system.
If you employ all of these strategies together, you can transform your home into a burglar's nightmare. The mere prospect of breaking into your house should send shudders up and down a potential burglar's spine. Take the necessary precautions now.
