Safety Tips for Protecting your Home During the Recession

29 January, 2009

With law enforcement officials nationwide predicting a rise in crime because of the economic recession, the average home owner needs to be ever more vigilant on protection of their home. Along with the wise addition of an ADT home security system and placing stickers and signs around the exterior of the home, there are a few simple tips that home owners can follow to help reduce the possibility of being a target.

Never leave a note on your front door. A note would indicate to a potential intruder that you aren’t home. In this modern day a text or voice mail is a much safer option. Another external danger would be to hide a key under the mat. Better yet, find an unpredictable hiding spot in the backyard hidden from view of the street or give a spare set to a trusted neighbor.

Keep all electronics hidden from view with blinds and drapes, and make sure to have your name etched into their surface. Make a record of the serial numbers and put a copy in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box. Better yet keep all valuables in a safe or safety deposit box out of the house.

If a home owner is up to the responsibility of having a pet, a dog is a natural deterrent to crime. The amount of noise encountered when approaching a house with a dog inside is generally enough to scare your average thief off. Even better is to use a pet in conjunction with an ADT alarm system to have a multi-tiered system. Most burglars aren’t going to continue with this amount of security in place.

On the exterior of your home some simple modifications can help with theft deterrent. Safety coating windows makes them harder to break. Also, consider planting rose bushes or hedges in front of easily accessible windows. But make them close enough to prevent a thief from using them for a hiding place.

Following these simple tips can help decrease the chances of your home being a target from a home intrusion and keeping you and your family safe.