It’s late at night and you’re in bed. Your husband is gone for the night on business and he has left you and your children all alone. Just before dozing off to sleep you are jolted by footsteps on the first floor. Your mind races with thoughts “Is it John back from his trip early?” “Do I get up and investigate?” or “Am I just imagining things?” But then suddenly you hear a crash, and you know that there is someone in your home. You immediately think of your children, and run down the hall to where they sleep, but as soon as you open your bedroom door there is a masked man approaching you.
This may sound like a scary movie trailer, but it happens to countless Americans on a regular basis, and it doesn’t matter what kind of neighborhood one lives in, every home is a potential target.
With the decline of our economy, home invasions have been on the rise and in order to protect your family and belongings from theft or destruction Safety Services Inc. offers this advice on things you can do to better protect your family.
- Lock all doors and windows at all times. Just because you are there does not mean that your home is safe from a break in. In fact, being at home during a break in puts you at greater risk of danger, so always lock the door behind you and the window when you shut it, even second story windows.
- Update all locks. Make sure all locks are updated to the latest technology. If you are a renter do not be afraid to ask your landlord about purchasing new locks for your apartment upon move in. There is no telling who has a key to the locks that were on before you moved in. As a homeowner you want to check for a sturdy door frame and install deadbolts on all exterior doors.
- Shade and sheer your windows. At night keep your window shades closed so that passers-by do not become potential burglars when they are tempted by the glow of your big screen TV or other personal items inside. During the day use window sheers to obstruct the view of outsiders, while still allowing sunlight to brighten the home.
- Install a security system and USE it. Installing a home security system is vital in protecting your home. It protects it on numerous fronts by notifying local authorities of break-ins, fire and carbon monoxide leaks. In the event of a break-in, you will want a hardwire or wireless home security alarm. Both will not only notifies local authorities, but also shocks and distracts any intruder thereby avoiding personal or material damage and theft. After installing one of these systems it is important that you use it. Too many people get out of the habit of setting it each time they leave and every night. Just remember it can’t protect you unless you use it.
Follow these simple steps to make your home a little safer. But as always these are not guarantees, and for your protection we suggest that in any uncomfortable position to always trust your gut feeling and notify authorities, and under no circumstances should you enter a home that you think has been burglarized.
