Prevent a Robbery
Template:CopyeditbotIn today's tough economy, home invasions are sadly becoming more real. People are losing their items, and many may never see them again. If you don't want your house robbed, this guide will show you some easy steps you can take to prevent a break-in.
Steps
- Try using a working alarm system is always a good measure. Getting one isn't very hard and usually not expensive. These alarms can be a great deterrent for burglars. Make sure, however, that it is professionally installed.
- Locking doors and windows are a good measure. Unlocked doors and windows make it easy for someone to rob your house. If a lock doesn't work, get it fixed immediately.
- Destroy boxes. As strange as it may seem, people may want to rob you for what is on a box at the end of your driveway. If you have a box that shows a plasma screen TV or something else very expensive, you want to get rid of it.
- Leave lights on if you're leaving. If a house looks vacant and unprepared, that house may be a victim of a robbery. Leaving lights on is a safe measure for any house.
- Trust your neighbors. If you're going to be gone for a while, neighbors can help protect your house.
- Close your garage. Leaving it open, even during the day puts your car and its contents at risk from strangers passing your house. Be especially vigilant about closing it at night. If you see your neighbors garage open after bedtime, call them to let them know. They will appreciate the call, and likely return the favor if you inadvertently leave your garage open.
- Keep things put away and out of sight if possible, so a snooping stranger can't see valuables through windows. This goes for your car as well.
- If you have glass next to your outside doors use a double dead bolt, so they can't reach in though broken glass and unbolt the door. Keep a key for the deadbolt inside the house near the door at all times so you can escape easily in case of a fire.
- Plant thorny bushes near windows that may be vulnerable to break-in to deter thieves.
- Eliminate tall shrubs near doors and windows that may allow thieves to be concealed from watchful neighbors as they attempt to break into your home.
- Be certain to secure windows into your garage. For sliding windows use channel locks that clamp on or a stick that keeps the window from sliding open. Once in your garage, thieves have many opportunities to break into your house using your own tools from the garage. And unfortunately once in your garage often the door leading into your home is unlocked. So lock it, with a dead bolt, and keep it locked when you are gone or asleep.
- Secure upper story windows, and especially doors to decks or balconies. These can often be reached by athletic youth or experienced thieves seeking easy access into your home.
- Add exterior lighting to your home so that visitors are in plain sight of your neighbors when approaching your home. Leave them on when you are gone, or put them on motion sensors, and/or light sensors so they are on at dusk and/or when someone approaches your house.
- If you have to park your car outside, park in a well lit area and keep it locked. You may want to invest in a car alarm as well.
- Don't keep a key to your house, hidden outside your house. Most thoughtful thieves will find a hidden key if they have time to search. If you have to keep a key outside your home keep it at a neighbors house. You could even keep it hidden outside their house if you are concerned about them being unavailable when you need your key.
- If you have a keypad garage door opener installed outside your home, be smart about the code. Don't use a number that could be looked up by a determined thief. Avoid birthdays, addresses, phone numbers, or sequenced or repetitive numbers. It is okay, not best, but okay to combine numbers, such as the first two digits of your phone number plus the month you were born. Or you could use two digits from your Mom's birthday and two digits from your Dad's birthday. Don't share this code with anyone but your immediate family.
- Be cautious about workers and contractors working at your house or your neighbor's house. If you have valuable equipment or tools, put them out of sight, out of mind. For a few it, may be tempting to help themselves to your stuff, or tell a friend where there are some valuable items to be lifted at a later date.
Tips
- Don't hide your valuables in the bedroom, that's where the robbers will look extra. When they rob a house, they're stressed and by hiding it somewhere less obvious you can waste some of their time and make them even more anxious and they might chicken out.
- Check security systems and locks often, to make sure they are in working condition.
- Take photos of yourself with valuables like jewelry and make sure you keep the documents and receipts. If you get robbed and want money from the insurance company you may need it to get more or any money.
Warnings
- If your home is invaded and you're there, call the police! Thieves may or may not be armed, and losing your Xbox 360 Elite is better than losing your life! If you lose something, when the robber is caught in the house, the items should be returned to you. If it is a few days after the robbery when the thief is caught, if anything can not be found, you can buy some new ones and insurance will pay for most of it.
Things You'll Need
- Exterior lighting
- Working alarm system
- Key
- Code
- Boxes
