A Home Alarm System Isn't Enough
Home security alarms sometimes save the day when it comes to a robbery, but they shouldn't be the only security feature you focus on. Read on to find out about a better strategy for securing your home all around.
Why Does an Alarm Fail?
Alarms may not be as effective as you think in a lot of cases. Response times may be slow. For a lot of police jurisdictions, they don't have the resources to devote to speedy responses to alarms because they generate a lot of false leads. Do you have 30 minutes to wait for a response team, or would you prefer to plan out your security so that you catch a burglar before they even start stealing?
A Proper Approach to Alarms and Home Security
Instead of thinking of an alarm as your first line of defense, think of it as your last. Think of your goal as keeping a burglar outside of your home altogether. The alarm going off is a sign of failure in this way of thinking; your home security has failed to keep a burglar out.
The way to keep a burglar out is to consider the best ways to secure all entryways and make it difficult for an intruder to find a good entry point. It is unlikely that a burglar will randomly decide to try all entryways on your home; it's likely that they will start to get nervous after trying a few different entryways and finding that they are well-secured. But since you don't know which entry points they will try, it's important to secure them all.
Which Entryways Should You Consider?
Doors are an obvious starting point. The doors themselves should be made of a strong and secure material, but you should also consider the security features of their frames and locks. Locksmith services can help you with this. They will especially take a close look at sliding doors because these are more prone to break-in attempts. Weak glass, flimsy tracks, and weak locks are features of glass doors that your locksmith will replace.
Windows must be securely fastened into their frames and made of security glass that is tough to break. It also helps if your weakest windows are far away from the first floor, where burglars can hoist themselves up. And finally, don't forget to consider garage doors and other specialized entry points when you're reducing risk to your home.