While no home is completely burglar-proof, most burglars are attracted to an easy target. Your secured home is much less appealing than the one down the block that isn’t protected. Taking the right steps to secure your home makes it difficult for a burglar to break in. 

Here are a few tips to keep them away from your house:

Intrusion

• Keep all doors –including garage doors –closed and locked at all times, even when you’re at home.
• Install a combination burglar\fire safe and bolt it down.  Always keep financial papers and valuables locked inside.
• Get to know your neighbors.
• Use light timers when away from home.
• Use outdoor lighting for safety and a deterrent
• Trim shrubs and trees that obscure windows and doors.
• Make sure all the entrances to your home are well-lit.
• Make sure that openings like crawl spaces, skylights and vents are properly protected.
• Install a peephole viewer on the main entrance door.
• Install adequate locks on all windows and exterior doors.
• Post your house number clearly and keep it well-lit at night. This will help the police respond to an emergency or assist in the reporting of one.
• Consider installing a monitored security system to protect against burglary and fire, and aid in personal emergency. A security system adds substantial protection and cost savings. Most insurance companies offer homeowners a 10% - 20% discount on their premium for having a monitored security system.
• If you already own an alarm system always set it.  Even if you are only going to be gone a short time.
• Make use of alarm decals & yard signs.
• Clearly mark your valuables with an identifying name or number. Your local police may be able to assist you with obtaining an engraver.
• Be a good neighbor. Watch out for suspicious activity on your block and call for help immediately when you observe it.

Fire

• Use smoke detectors that are monitored by a UL listed central monitoring station.
• Test smoke detectors on a regular basis.
• Clean your smoke detectors at least twice a year.
• Practice a planned escape route from your home or business in case of a fire.
• Do not overload electrical outlets.
• Clean furnaces and heating systems annually.
• Keep flammables in a safe place.
• Do not put rags with different cleaners on them in the same container

  A well-secured home combined with a 24-hour monitored security system creates one of the strongest deterrents available in the common market today.

                             Myths