Home Security Tips

Home security and protecting your family is very important to all of us. Here are some important home security tips that will help you keep your home secure. Follow these steps and use a monitored home security alarm system and you will be able to rest easy knowing that your family is safe. Here are some important statistics to keep in mind as you read these home security tips:

1 burglary every 14.6 seconds
62.2% of all burglaries occur between 6am-6pm
Average loss per residential burglary is $1607
Only 12.9% of all 2004 burglaries were solved

Source: U.S. Dept of Justice-FBI (2004)

Securing Your Windows

Replace or repair broken or cracked windows immediately
Keep expensive items away from windows
Use blinds or curtains so that its harder for people to see inside
Use a home security system

Maintaining Your Yard

To make it easy for emergency vehicles to find your home, use large reflective numbers on your house and mailbox
Never store a ladder outside your home
Do not put your name on your mailbox
Do not hide a spare key outside your home
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed
Keep all entry points to your home well lit

Protect Your Valuables

Do not hide valuables in the freezer, cookie jar, or mattress
Make sure you break down boxes and cut them up before throwing them away
Shred sensitive documents before throwing in the trash
Keep jewelry in a safe or safe deposit box
Use a home security system

Going on Vacation

Use a timer for your lights, TV, and radio while you are gone
Put your newspaper and mail delivery on hold
Have a neighbor keep an eye on your house, shovel snow, mow the yard
Leave an extra car parked in your driveway
Never tell people you are on vacation on your voicemail
Forward your home phone to your cell
Use a home security system