Security Tips for Home Owners in 2020

Since I began this blog on church security issues that has pretty much been the focus.  In doing some research I noticed the tremendous number of crimes committed on homeowners, especially burglaries.  Although the percentage of burglaries has decreased over the last several years the number is still way too high.  According to the FBI, more than 1.2 million burglaries [1] took place in the United States in 2018 alone.  And while drawing your blinds at night and keeping pricey electronics out of view are a good place to start, there are plenty of ways even the most conscientious individuals leave their homes vulnerable to the criminal element. 

The good news is that there are some simple measures you can take to help boost your home’s security and reduce your risk for a break-in or theft.  I've compiled a list of these relatively easy fixes that can help improve your safety, and your overall peace of mind in the coming new year. 

Let’s look at several of these measures:

Landscape with Safety in Mind 

As you walk around your property, look for areas that could be potential hiding spots for thieves, who prize the privacy they provide.  Trim trees and bushes that may give someone a place to hide or unnoticeable access to your windows.  You should trim back any shrubs that are high enough to block a window.

Proper Lighting Matters 

Lighting can be the difference between your home being targeted – or not – by thieves.  Motion-sensitive fixtures can help add security and provide light when needed.  Also consider using automatic timers or smart lightbulbs that can be controlled remotely to turn lights on and off in various parts of the house to help make it seem like you are home.

Avoid Advertising that Shopping Spree 

Thieves look for and steal newly delivered boxes on your front porch.  Because of these porch pirates you may want to consider having packages delivered elsewhere or requiring a signature for delivery. Thieves may also look at clues provided by your trash or recycling, which may indicate the new computer or flat-screen television inside.

Set a Safety Routine 

Make sure you establish a routine where you regularly lock all doors, shut windows and turn on your alarm system every time you leave your home.  Avoid leaving spare keys outside, under a planter or welcome mat, as thieves know most of the potential hiding places.

Manage Visibility 

Make sure you can see who is at your front door without opening it. Replace your old peephole viewer with one of the newer in-door viewers.  It’s a low-cost solution that uses prisms and a lens to project the visitor’s image onto a 2-in. screen. The large screen allows you to see visitors from 5 to 7 ft. behind the door.  Avoid placing valuables where they will be visible from the street, and do not place your home alarm panel in a place where people can see you arming it from the outside.

Protect Your Outdoor Valuables 

Burglars also target sheds, garages and other outdoor buildings. You should keep your garage door down, even during the day.  Having the garage door open invites thieves inside to look around.  It gives them quick, easy access inside your home. Secure your grill, lawn mower, bicycles and other outdoor gear.

Create a Plan for when You are Away 

Have the Post Office hold your mail, stop your papers and ask a friend or neighbor to remove flyers from your property.  Arrange for snow removal and lawn mowing so you do not advertise when you are away from home.

A Safe holds Valuable Papers and Jewelry

Most of us don't need a big, heavy, expensive safe to secure our valuables.  For a few hundred dollars or less, you can get a safe that will protect against thieves.  Be sure to fasten it to the floor or wall so an intruder can’t walk off with it.  Safes go up in price for options such as fire protection and digital or biometric (fingerprint reading) opening systems.

Alarm Systems Are Easier to Install Than You Think

You can buy a professional grade wireless alarm system for about $200 from many online sources. Installing professional alarm hardware is easy, but programming the system can be a challenge.  A battery-powered wireless DIY alarm system requires no wiring.  Just plug the control box into your Internet router, mount the sensors and arming station, and program the unit with your computer.  Keeping doors and windows locked is your first line of defense. Make wireless alarms your second. The alarms are activated by doors or windows opening.  Burglars hate noise.  The alarms are available at home centers or search online.  Use the alarms for doors and windows in “hidden” areas of the house where you don't normally gather and that are often dark.

Pin Locks for Double-Hung Windows

The factory latches on double-hung windows are no match for a burglar with a pry bar.  But they can’t get past inexpensive pin locks (about $2 each).  You can install a pin in just a few minutes per window.  Drill a hole to lock the window closed, and a second hole a few inches up to lock the window partly open for ventilation.

Solar Charged Motion Detector Lights

These are a proven crime deterrent, and standard hardwired models cost as little as $15.  If running a power supply would be difficult, buy ones that run on solar power (for instance, Sunforce LED Solar Motion Light, available through Amazon.com). Attach the lighting unit to the house or outbuilding (screws are included) .Make sure the solar panel receives direct sunlight, although it still charges on cloudy days.

Install a Second Patio Door Lock

Patio door locks are easy to pick.  Placing a heavy duty stick in the door track will bar the door closed, but it looks crude and it's inconvenient to remove every time you want to open the door. Fortunately, there's a better way to get the security you need. An Auxiliary Security Lock (available through Amazon.com) fastens along the bottom of the door and has a bolt that fits into a grommet to hold the door secure.  Similar models are available that attach at the top of the door.

Strengthen the Doorjamb

Remove the puny 3/4-in. screws from the strike plate. Drill pilot holes into the framing behind the jamb. Then drive in 3-in. screws to anchor the strike plate to the framing.  I would recommend the Schlage B60N.  It resists bumping and picking, and has the highest level security rating of ANSI/BHMA Grade 1. 

Take Precautions to Protect Windows

If you are purchasing new windows for your home, it might be worth the upgrade to buy shatterproof glass.  This would prevent anyone from breaking a window to gain access to your home.  If new windows aren't in the budget, consider adding a security film to windows.  This will prevent the glass from shattering upon breaking and may deter thieves from continuing their attempt to break in.

Change all the Locks When You Move into a New House

If you've just purchased a home from someone, your first order of business should be to call a locksmith.  This is one very important security tip that most people never think about.  You have no idea who is out there with a key just waiting for the moment to use it.  There is even the possibility that you might be burgled by the previous owners.

Set Up a Home Surveillance System

A home surveillance system is one sure way to keep your house safe from intruders.  You may not be able to deter them from the act, but you can always find out what happened while you were away. Again, buglers would typically stay away from a home with a surveillance system if they know it is around.  You can purchase wireless cameras anywhere from $25-$70 dollars depending on quality and features.  Mount on the wall or on shelves, download an App, and you can follow everything going on in your home.  For a bit extra money you can get two-way audio and recording features.    

Get some Home Defense Weapons

You can defend yourself in various ways.  If you are afraid of guns or object to them on other grounds, then pepper spray or stun guns are effective as well.  These tools are useful for incapacitating people and they are non-lethal.  Whether you choose a home defense shotgun, an AR-15 rifle, a handgun, mace, pepper spray, or a stun gun be sure to get some practical training in their use.  These provide protection in case a burglar ignores your warnings about the police and continues to jeopardize the safety of you and your family.

And Finally, Get a Dog

Many people now use guard dogs to protect their homes from intruders.  Dogs have senses of smell and hearing 100,000 times more sensitive than that of humans. They can also see very clearly, even in the dark. So, these qualities make them highly reliable sentinels for your personal residence.  There are two types of dogs to consider.  First is a watch dog.  They are trained to keep watch over an area and bark vigorously at the sight of an intruder or anything strange. Though they do not attack the intruder, they only alert you to take action.  The second type is a guard dog.  These dogs do more than bark at intruders – they attack.  So, if you are away from your residence most of the time, you would be better off with a guard dog.  

Many dog breeds make excellent guards.  Examples of some of the acceptable guard dog breeds include the German shepherd, the bull mastiff, the Caucasian shepherd, the Rottweiler, the American Staffordshire terrier, the Airedale terrier, the Doberman Pinscher, and the giant schnauzer.  However, note that these dogs need to be trained extensively and socialized to their owners and friends of the family in order to turn them into reliable guards.

This list is not exhaustive, and keeping your family, your belongings and your home safe and secure does not have to involve a lot of money.  But a few simple changes from the list of home security measures mentioned above can protect everyone and everything for years to come.

[1] The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, 2018, Burglary