| Concerned about home security? Take a look at the | | | | or apartment, have the locks changed or re-keyed, |
| following tips from the Discovery Channel, where | | | | as it is common for former inhabitants to hold on to |
| former thieves help people protect themselves and | | | | their keys, as well as anyone else they may have |
| their homes. | | | | given a key to. |
| Alarms | | | | Windows |
| The break-in rate of homes without an alarm-system | | | | Security bars on basement windows and portable AC |
| are much higher than those of homes with an alarm | | | | units are an extremely important component of |
| system, so when you move into your new home, | | | | home security, and often overlooked. Try to avoid |
| make sure that you invest in an adequate alarm | | | | placing very expensive items or electronics near |
| system from a reputable service company, like ADT. | | | | windows, and use curtains and/or blinds to prevent |
| It is essential that your alarm system be connected | | | | thieves from casing your home from the outside. |
| to the police and fire departments in your city. In | | | | Broken window are both an access point and a sign |
| addition to having an alarm wired to all of the doors | | | | that you may not be paying proper attention to |
| of your home, it is a good idea to make sure that all | | | | home security, fix or replace them immediately. |
| windows have vibration and/or glass-break sensors. | | | | Security film can be placed on the outside of your |
| Have the central panel placed in a secure location to | | | | windows; making them shatter-proof from the |
| prevent thieves from attempting to disable your | | | | outside, but breakable from the inside should you |
| security system, and if possible, consider an alarm | | | | need to escape. |
| system that includes ultrasonic sensors divided into | | | | Garage |
| different zones to detect movement in your home. | | | | Treat the windows and doors of your garage in the |
| A panic button is also a good idea for extra | | | | same manner as you would the doors and windows |
| protection. | | | | of your house. Doors and frames should be sturdy |
| Locks | | | | and include a deadbolt lock, windows should be |
| All doors located next to windows should have | | | | secured. Make sure your car is always locked when it |
| captive key locks. These are locks that prevent | | | | is in the garage, with the alarm activated, and have |
| thieves from simply breaking the glass windows, | | | | the interior lights of your garage wired to a panel |
| reaching inside and unlocking a deadbolt lock. Also, | | | | inside your home, so that you do not have to walk |
| make sure that all windows include devices that stop | | | | into a dark garage to turn on the lights. Many people |
| them from being fully opened from the outside, and | | | | forget to change the code on their garage door |
| that you close and lock all doors and windows when | | | | opener, meaning that anyone with the same brand of |
| you leave the house, even those on upper levels of | | | | garage door opener can open your garage with the |
| the home. Lastly, when you move into a new house | | | | factory-set code. |