What are the most valuable things in your life?
If you say your family, that is a great response. But what about protecting your loved ones? How are you going about making sure they stay safe and secure, especially at home?
According to FBI data from 2012, it was projected that one in every 36 residences nationwide could expect to be burglarized in the calendar year. As a result, the average homeowner or renter would lose more than $2,200 for each break-in.
In a day and age when many people are feeling the ill effects of a bad economy, it should not be surprising that various forms of crime (including home invasions are rising in many neighborhoods). As a result, you could very well be putting you and your family in harm’s way without the right type of security in place.
Research and Review Your Home Security Needs
In order to lessen the chances that you and/or your loved ones will be the next victims of a home invasion burglary or robbery, here are some tips to help you:
- Find the right home security provider – You stand a much greater chance of falling victim to a home invasion if you do not have a security system on site (and a sound one at that). Whether you are looking at Florence ADT or another such provider, make sure to vet any and all providers you are considering. How long have they been in business? Do they have a positive or negative track record with customers? Is their customer service second to none? These are all important areas to cover before you sign-up with them to be your home security provider;
- Don’t invite criminals into your home – While you would never purposefully invite a criminal or criminals into your residence, you may be doing so inadvertently. Going away on vacation and leaving the lawn uncut, the mail and newspapers piling up, no lights coming on a night on a timer etc. are invites to trouble. If need be, having a trusted friend or family member check on your home periodically while you’re away, stop your mail and/or newspaper while out of town, and make sure you have lights coming on from time to time to make it look like someone is home. If you have a second car, it may not be a bad idea to leave it parked in front of the home or in the driveway too;
- Avoid being too social – Lastly, given the information age that most people live in, social media is another option where criminals can go to in order to find out what you’re up to. Wait until you get home from your trip to post vacation photos. Don’t fall into a set pattern where you come and go the same times each day, advertising it all the while on Facebook or Twitter. If you go to the gym five days a week at 10 a.m., then return home at noon; don’t advertise the fact on social media.
Given that criminals will always try and stay one step ahead of both police and technology, take the upper-hand by securing you and your loved ones.
About the Author: Dave Thomas covers home security and technology matters on the web.
