Before you install a security system, it is best to complete a risk assessment. The outcome of this evaluation can help you decide what is the best home security system for you and where you should focus your efforts to more than adequately protect you and your family from home invasion and theft. After all, there is no need to put in a lot of expensive, state-of-the-art home security equipment with all the bells and whistles, one that would require constant attention, if a simple and very cheap system is all that you require. Below is a short home security checklist that should be considered in the assessment.
Neighborhood
What crimes are typical in your neighborhood? This you can find out through the newspaper through the headlines for violent crimes and major robberies. Also many papers have a log book of the activities of the local police for the previous day. Although the log is for lesser crimes, it can provide you with a lot of pertinent information on break ins, things stolen, and especially important is time of day or night of these crimes.
Talk to the neighbors. If you don’t know them then it would be prudent to become acquainted with them. Ask them about crimes in the neighborhood. Is it primarily vandalism or is it breaking and entering to commit burglary? Is it car thefts? Do the police respond quickly when called? How often do they patrol the neighborhood?
Maybe you can watch the neighbor’s home and they will watch yours? A neighborhood watch is a good thing for security.
Talk to the police
The police can tell you a lot about home invasions. Is it possible that they would examine your home for weak spots? Would they recommend a typical home security system for you? Do they have any programs where they might patrol by your home if and when you are out of town? Remember they are the professionals they should be able to give you a lot of advice.
Location of Home
Is your home located in an isolated rural area? Are there many bushes and/or gardens where a thief might hide that is blind areas? Are there large trees/trellises that can be climbed to gain access to the second story windows? Are all access ways to your house lighted at night? Is your driveway lighted. Your garage locked?
Or is it in a neighborhood where people walk through to get to other parts of the city or town? Do you normally see loiterers hanging around? Are you close to a major thoroughfare where somebody might be able to exit, commit a crime, and then exit quickly? Are the electric and phone utility wires feeding your home above or below ground?
Schedule
Are you a creature of habit? Do you leave the house at the same time of day to go for a walk or jog? Are there scheduled times each day when a thief could easily gain entrance to your house?
All the questions above (and many more that you might be able to think of) can provide input information for your risk assessment. If you gather this information and consider it carefully you should be able to design a home security system that will protect you, your family, and your belongings.
