Home. The word is practically synonymous with safety and comfort…or at least it should be. Sadly, many today—even in our own region—have been robbed of peace of mind after a break-in. We interviewed local security experts about their experiences and discovered what works and what doesn’t when it comes to protecting your home.
It Can Happen To Anyone
Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re immune to a burglary. “There’s really no rhyme or reason to it,” says Anita Meyers, co-owner of Keystone Alarm Services, Inc., in Hanover (www.keystonealarmservices.com). “Whether it’s the biggest and most expensive home in the neighborhood or the smallest, both can be broken into.”
What They Want
According to Sgt. Bill Hickey, Crime Prevention Sergeant for Lancaster City Police (www.lancasterpolice.com), burglars are looking for things that are easy to carry away concealed and that can be turned into cash quickly. That includes jewelry, firearms, small electronics and, of course, money.
You might already keep these items in a safe, but Hickey warns that small safes can be taken out of a home and cracked at a later time. If they’re lightweight, safes should be bolted to the wall or floor, or Meyers mentions that you can place a small contact sensor on the safe that will set off your security system if it is moved.
Don’t Make Yourself a Target
Sgt. Hickey explains that burglars tend to work in one geographic area, so you should keep your ears perked for local robberies. When it comes to your own neighborhood, it’s worth taking a walk around to see which homes might be targeted (and making sure yours is not one of them).
Of course, thieves will always be looking for signs that you’re not home: Mail overflowing, newspapers piling up, lights on constantly—“These are signs that this is a place to target,” says Hickey. He recommends that if you’re on vacation, you should have your mail and newspaper held, and ask someone to check in on the house.
Also, don’t make a habit of putting boxes from “big ticket items” like a TV or tablet out for the trash, Hickey says. Doing so is the equivalent of advertising what an intruder could come inside to find.
You might think that having a security system sign posted is enough keep a thief from giving your home a second look, but Meyers says this could actually backfire if you don’t really have a security system. “Criminals can recognize generic signs you can purchase on the internet,” she says. “Plus, if your home has been entered, what good is that sign in your yard?”
Protect in 3 Steps
So what are the primary ways that you can protect your home? All of our experts agree that it takes multiple precautions. Here are three key steps to keep burglars out.
1. Light
“As far as security is concerned, a well-lit home is a deterrent from any potential home intruder,” says Reinaldo Guevarez, owner of Evening Shadows, a Harrisburg-based outdoor lighting company (www.eveningshadowslighting.com). Eliminate any dark spots where thieves could hide. Guevarez suggests photo sensor lighting that turns on automatically when it’s dark, or lighting on a timer. Either system ensures that your property is well lit, whether you’re home or not.
2. Noise
“Usually a burglar is not going to go to a home where there’s a lot of commotion,” explains Guevarez. Hickey says that a dog can be a great deterrent, and of course an alarm will do the trick, too. “Our most common system has a siren that goes off,” says Meyer. “It also alerts a central station 20 seconds after the siren, so if something happens, there’s help on the way.”
3. Locks
“One of the main ways burglars get into a house is through an unsecured window,” says Meyer, noting a good reason to check that all windows in your home are locked and installed with a security system sensor. Hickey recommends installing deadbolts an inch into doorframes and routinely checking less commonly used doors (to the basement or shed, for example) to make sure they are locked.
Above all, remember to test all of your systems; burglars probably will too.
Your Biggest Weapon
One of the best protections against home invasion is an underrated one: Getting to know your neighbors. If they know your schedule and who visits regularly, Hickey says they can sometimes pinpoint an intruder before a burglary takes place. “Having a neighbor who is looking out for your best interest and vice versa goes a long way,” he says.
Free, easy ways to protect your home
Meyer recommends these simple, no-cost ways to safeguard your home, with or without an alarm system:
Close your blinds: Thieves can target valuables they see through your windows
Use your garage: Parking in your garage on a regular basis makes it less obvious when you are away.
Monitor your social media: If you’re going out of town, don’t post about it online.
Acknowledge your front door: Intruders often ring the bell to make sure no one is home before breaking in.
Landscaping win win: Burglars can hide behind overgrown shrubs while breaking in doors or windows, so trim them, it’s a win win. Big thorny bushes may even deter!
Swing in: Are your door hinges on the inside or out? If they’re outside they can be easily removed, even with a locked door. Make sure to move them to the inside.
