Home Security : How to Protect your Home from Burglars

Take this TRUE or FALSE home security test to hone up on your skills for protecting your loved ones and your home from burglars

1)  Most burglars gain entry to a house through a window.

The answer is false. The most common way for a burglar to enter a house is through an unlocked or unsecured door. Garage doors and back doors are usually the weakest points of entry and provide more cover, so don't forget to keep them locked or consider installing a door alarm. 

2)  You should keep a spare key hidden somewhere outside your door.  

The answer is false. An experienced burglar knows where to look for a "hidden" spare key around your home. The best place to leave a spare key is with a trusted neighbor. In addition to being able to rescue you if you lock yourself out, your neighbor can let service people in for you or make your house look lived in while you are away. 

3)  Most burglaries occur after dark. 

The answer is false. The majority of burglaries happen between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., when no one is likely to be home.  

4)  Burglars target sliding glass doors because they can break the glass.  

The answer is false. Burglars try to avoid breaking glass because the sound would draw too much attention. Sliding glass doors are a favorite point of entry because they tend to have flimsy locks that are easy to open. Take care to secure these doors by keeping a wooden dowel or stick in the track, for example, so they cannot be opened from the outside, even if the lock is broken. Even better, invest in a “Charlie Bar” for that sliding glass door. 

5)  You should not post your name on your mailbox or the front of your home.  

The answer is true. Once they have your name and street address, would-be burglars can easily get your telephone number. If no one answers when they call, they know that no one is home. 

Next week we will have this Home Security Test Part 2 and go over several other simple things to enhance our own security and personal safety measures. Please try to remember that “Security and Life Safety is a Family Matter”.  We can truly make a difference when we are able to talk to one another to remind each other that the little things we can do can make a world of difference to having a more secure and safe environment.