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| Centex protects American homes against burglaries A burglary occurs every 13 seconds, and one out of every 34 houses is burglarized in the United States. As one of the nation's largest home builders, Centex is providing seven precautionary measures to protect homes and families from intruders and theft. 1.Install and activate alarm systems If used properly and regularly, a home security system may prevent intruders from entering your home. House alarms should have a siren or horn and be linked directly to a call center. Most systems include motion detectors, glass breakage sensors and smoke detectors that can help keep your home secure. A monitored security system may also lower your homeowner's insurance premiums. 2.Secure doors and windows Start by ensuring all door and window frames are double-hung and solid. Hardware stores sell reinforcement pins that can double the sturdiness of door frames during an attempted forced entry. Sliding glass doors should be secured by drilling two screws into the door and frame, making lifting the door off the track difficult, if not impossible. A broom handle placed behind the door in the track acts as a secondary lock. Always secure every upstairs and downstairs window and install steel bars or metal grates over basement windows. Door peep holes with a wide range of visibility are an easy way to screen visitors before opening the door. They are often inexpensive and can be installed with an electric drill. 3.Use sturdy locks Exterior door should have deadbolt locks. Always lock the deadbolt and doorknob lock, even when you are at home. And, a garage door should have both a standard lock and a padlock. In addition, remember to keep the entry door to the house inside the garage locked. 4.Protect your home from the outside Planting thorny bushes under windows can create a theft deterrent. Trimming plants under windows may also help take away potential hiding spots for burglars or the stolen goods they stash and return for later. Installing motion lighting on the outside of your home can help increase visibility around dark spots in the yard. Never hide a key in flowerpots, the mailbox, over the doorway or other obvious spots. Instead, give a copy to a nearby relative or trusted neighbor in case of a lockout. 5.Man's best friend Owning a dog can be a simple threat to burglars and may help protect your home. Or, if you don't have a dog, simply posting "Beware of Dog" signs could steer a potential crook away. These signs are usually inexpensive and available at most hardware and discount stores. 6.Give the impression that someone's home A home that looks constantly occupied is not a burglar's target. While you are away, set lights and the television on a programmable timer and vary the times for different parts of the house (i.e., have your living room light and TV on in the evening and turn on a lamp in the bedrooms during the later hours of the night). Do not leave valuables where they can be seen from a window and cover all windows with blinds or drapes. For women who live alone, placing a pair of men's work boots near the door may also act as a simple deterrent to criminals. 7.Protect your home while you're gone Either suspend the mail and newspaper delivery or ask a trusted neighbor to collect them for you while you are out of town. You may also arrange for this person to put trash in your bin and park in your driveway. Have the grass cut periodically, and depending on the time of year, the leaves raked and snow shoveled. Also check with your local police department or neighborhood watch program to ask if they will pay periodic visits to your home while you are away. Two Bonus Tips: 8.Prepare a panic room Building a panic room in a closet can help you avoid feeling trapped and helpless in your own home during an intrusion. Turn a closet into a secure hiding spot by installing the door hinges and a deadbolt and jam lock on the inside. Either keep your cell phone within close reach or install an additional phone in the closet. Know your neighbors' phone numbers, but be sure to dial 911 first in the event of a break-in. 9.Inventory your belongings Take a home inventory now with your camera or video camera, and make a list of all your valuables over $50. Write down a complete description, make, model and serial number, and store the list and receipts in a safe place such as a fireproof safe or safety deposit box. In addition, engraving your belongings with your driver's license number and name can make them harder to pawn and may increase your chances of recovering your belongings should they be stolen. This inventory may also come in handy for insurance purposes should all or part of your home be destroyed by a natural disaster or fire. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Construction News :: home page |