PROTECTING YOUR HOME
One of the biggest enemies of home security is thinking “It
won’t happen to me.”
Although we all know that prevention is important, most
people don’t take the steps they need to protect their home and family. Whether it’s installing a monitored home
security system, or just being able to identify potential risks of hidden
dangers such as fire and carbon monoxide throughout your ome,
these precautions can help create a safer environment to live in.
So what can you do better to protect your home and family
from fire, break-ins or medical emergencies?
WHO’S THERE?
The first step to keeping unwelcome visitors out is to
protect the entrances to your home.
The Front Door
A locked front door is your first line of defense. And with locks, you get what you pay
for. By spending a few dollars more for
a good lock, you can potentially save thousands. So get the best quality locks you can
afford. We recommend deadbolt
locks. Deadbolts provide better security
than sliding locks because they can’t be opened without a key. Bored-in deadlocks that are embedded into the
door are even harder for a burglar to get through.
Without a deadlock, burglars may be able to open your front
door simply by using a credit card to push back the tongue of the lock. Doors with exposed hinges are even more
vulnerable because a burglar can simply remove the pin on the hinge and get
inside.
Locks are just the beginning. Another good investment is a peephole. 180-degree peepholes give you the advantage
of checking to see who’s at the door before you open it. And make sure that the area outside your door
is well-lit. If you can’t see who’s at
the door, don’t open it.
Just Moved In?
If you’ve just moved into your new home, it’s a good idea to
replace all the locks. Locks only provide
security if you know who has every key.
Pay for a qualified and reputable locksmith to change your locks. And keep track of all the keys you have
made. This is especially important if
there have been a lot of previous owners.
The only keys to your new home should be the ones you have made.
A Window Of Opportunity?
To help prevent burglars from getting into your home through
a window, install locks or pins. We
recommend using the same brand of lock for all your windows so it’s easy and
convenient to use them. And tha’s an important point, because when safety and
convenience are at odds, convenience usually wins. Make sure to keep the key in a safe but
easy-to-access location so you can get to it quickly if there’s a fire.
Also keep any trees or shrubs around windows trimmed. While they map seem to increase your privacy,
they also increase a burglar’s privacy while they’re breaking into your home.
In The Spotlight
Two of a burglar’s biggest enemies are noise and light. Installing lights around your home that are
activated by movement can help scare off unwelcome visitors. Exterior sensor lights also help to light the
path to your front door when you come home It’s also a good idea to use timers
to light inside areas of your home if
you’re home alone or away. Setting these
economical timers gives the appearance that someone is at home, and is a good
way to make sure you’re consistently protected.
Alarming Your Home
A security system is your best protection. 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 off a potential intruder.
A fully monitored system doesn’t just make a lot of noise,
it sends an emergency signal to a monitoring center so that the right people
can respond in case of an emergency.
Another benefit of having a monitored home security system is that it
may qualify you for up to a 20% discount on your homeowner’s insurance
Here’s a list of things to think about when considering a
monitored alarm system:
1. Is the system easy to use?
2. Does the system come with a
maintenance plan to cover parts and service?
3. Does the system have a rechargeable
backup battery?
4. Is the system connected to a
U.L.-listed, 24-hour monitoring center?
5. Who does the monitoring and what is
their experience and reputation?
6. Can the system help protect you
against fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, household flooding and other dangers,
as well as burglary?
Fire Prevention
In addition to protecting your home against break-ins and
intruders, you can also take some simple precautions to help prevent another,
and often even more devastating threat—fire.
Check Hot Spots
The first step toward better fire prevention is to determine
where your home’s potential hot spots are located. Hot spots are hazard areas that can start a
fire. One potential hot spot can be
faulty wiring. To help avoid this
danger, be sure to have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.
Check Circuit Breakers
Another common problem is overloading your circuits. If you need more outlets, have them installed
professionally.
Check Your Kitchen
Your kitchen has a lot of hot spots. The biggest ones are the oven and the
range. Always make sure your burners are
off when you leave the house or go to sleep at night. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy
in this area, and that all members of your household know where it is and how
to use it. And of course, if you smell
gas, you are advised to leave your home immediately. Once you’re in a safe location, call the gas
company and alert them of the situation.
Grilling Safety
1.
Keep
your grill away from anything flammable – including your home, shrubs and cars.
2.
Protect
yourself with oven mitts and a heavy apron.
3.
Avoid
carbon monoxide poisoning by never using a charcoal or gas grill inside your
home or in an enclosed area.
4.
Don’t
let small children remove or place food on the grill.
5.
Don’t
leave an uncovered grill unattended.
6.
Keep
a fire extinguisher handy.
7.
Check
gas grill tubes leading into the burner for any blockage from insects, food or
grease.
8.
Prevent
gas leaks by promptly replacing scratched or nicked connectors.
9.
Keep
propane containers upright at all times.
10. Keep propane containers outdoors.
Check Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms play an important part in fire protection. Be sure they’re working and that the
batteries are always charged. Also be
aware that when a smoke alarm goes off, there isn’t a lot of time to escape.
Make A Plan
Take time to set up a fire emergency plan for your
family. Making sure everyone knows
exactly what to do and how to get out today could save a life tomorrow.
HOME SECURITY CHECKLIST
1. Turn the telephone and answering
machine volume down when you go out so burglars can’t hear that no one’s home.
2. Don’t leave notes for family or
friends outside your home.
3. Don’t leave tools or ladders lying
around your yard since impulse burglars can use them to gain access into your
home.
4. Install sensor lights at all outside
entrances.
5. Remove any shrubs or trees next to
your home that could hide a potential burglar from sight.
6. Install a monitored security system,
and make sure all members of your household know how to use it.
7. Install deadbolt locks on your
outside doors and make sure all door hinges are on the inside.
8. Lock garage doors and sliding glass
doors every night, and whenever you are away from home.
9. Don’t hide keys outside your home,
such as in your mailbox, under doormats or above doorways. Burglars usually know where they are.
10. If you’re planning to go away, either
have your mail picked up by a trusted neighbor or have your local post office
stop delivery until you get back. You’ll
also want to cancel any other regular deliveries such as newspapers.
11. Tell relatives or neighbors when
you’ll be back and let them know where you can be reached in an emergency.
12. When you buy a new appliance such as
a TV or computer, destroy the box or hide it in your trash so others won’t know
you have something new and valuable inside
13. Videotape, photograph and keep a
written register of all your valuables and their serial numbers.
14. Store valuable documents such as
insurance policies and wils in a safety deposit box.
15. Program emergency contact numbers
into your phone memory and clearly label them so it will be easy to dial them
in an emergency.
16. Every six months or so, inspect your
home as if you’ve been locked out without your keys. How would you get in? Examine any weak spots and realize that if
you can get inside, so could someone else.
17. Check to see if there’s an active
Neighborhood Watch association in your community. This program helps keep you updated on
problems in your neighborhood, and gets more people to help watch and protect
your home and family. If there is no
active Neighborhood Watch Group in your community, contact your local law
enforcement agency to find out how you can start one.