Odds are pretty good that if you live in your home for five years or more you will be the victim of a burglary or home invasion-the distinction is whether the home is occupied or not. A home invasion is entry, forced or not, when the home is occupied.

In 2004 the Bureau of Justice reported that:

-77% of all crime was property related

-17% of all crime domiciles were violated by a burglar

-85% of all burglaries the offender gained entry into the house or other building.

A property crime occurs every 3 seconds, a home burglary every 15 seconds-pretty scary statistics.

The good news is that 90% of all burglaries and home invasions are preventable by following some basically common sense tactics. Think about it. If you were a burglar what would be looking for in a target to rob. Believe it or not most burglars are pretty smart and are only looking for easy targets not difficult challenges. After all it is no fun getting caught.

He’d look for a certain amount of seclusion-privacy so he couldn’t be seen coming or going.

He’d look for a lot of cover so he couldn’t be seen entering the residence-bushes, trees etc.

He’d look for a place that was attractive -windows so he could see into the house to see what was available for him to steal.

He’d look for a residence that was in relative darkness. Light is certainly not the friend of a burglar.

He’d look for signs-literal signs that advertise if a place is protected in any way. Signs from a security company, NRA membership signs, “Beware of guard dog”, “Neighborhood Watch” signs etc.

He’d also look for any obvious deterrent such as surveillance cameras, bars on lower windows.

He’d look for a pattern of the homeowner leaving windows or garage doors open.

When any self respecting burglar does his job he is looking for several elements when he “cases” prospective targets. He needs time, darkness, and of course a reason to rob a residence-merchandise. The “look” of your house is very important to a burglar too. If you take steps to make the residence “unattractive” to a burglar chances are pretty good he will pass your residence and choose someone more vulnerable.

Chances are very good that you are reading this because in some way crime has touched your life or you want to be proactive and protect yourself, family, home, or business from the ravages of crime. That is the first step.

Home security options may surprise you if you thought there was nothing new in it. Present day home security has out grown good old James Bond and can certainly give you a good night’s sleep.

Every homeowner needs to be actively aware of their home security concerns. With home invasions and break-ins on the rise, it is time to take some steps towards protecting your family and your valuable belongings. It would surprise most people to realize how simple it is for a burglar to break into their home.

How Can You Secure Your Home by Modern Gadgets
A security agency can guide you with practical tips. What suits your neighbors’ home need not suit yours. A close consideration of the options helps you choose the appropriate system. All options provide hidden cameras, alarms/buzzers, movement detectors and contact switches.

At the base, hardwired home security provides cameras, vibration & water sensors, CCTV, door chimes and magnetic switches. But note that, since it is hard to retrofit this system by drawing wire cutting and drilling holes in walls, it is advised during construction itself. The clear advantage of hardwired system is its simplicity of operation by single control panel and battery source. If cost matters, there is none to beat this.

Wireless system suits best if your home was already constructed. Evolution has helped slash the full system cost to somewhere around $300. In addition, wireless security system doubles up as abusive-nanny-watcher and guards your baby. The biggest advantage here is the choice of transmitting cameras and connectivity to your office PC, base monitor, via cell phone etc. The wide range of cameras is truly mind boggling, they just fit into any ambience; hide into vase, smoke detector, VCD player, just anywhere in total concealment.

Consider Before Buying
The cost of mistake could be dearly if you don’t plan formidably beforehand.
1. Plan the areas and the type of cameras to install. Some cameras give close-up shots while others are built for long shots, like the front door camera which show faces closely.
2. Decide on the type of burglar alarms which fit into door and window slots. There are magnetic and electronic types available and the former is simple with least maintenance problems but needs wiring in addition to being prone to be detected rather easily.
3. Threat of tampering is a definite probability with transmitting video cameras. Anyone with cheap receivers with a radius of 1-1.5 miles can monitor your home. In such cases, you may want to consider the simple recording types.

Finally, home security is not just about gadgets. Buying home at decent areas, having good neighborhood and growing a hound all matter most.

I have received many e-mails over the past several months asking for a Home Security Check List. So I put together 30 important items, you as a homeowner should check off in order to keep you and your family safe from the bad guys.

SAFE PRACTICES AND PROPER IDENTIFICATION

1.) Make sure to join a Block Watch or Neighborhood Watch Program.
2.) Keep a list of all valuable property in a safe place.
3.) Keep a list of all serial numbers to your electronic equipment.
4.) Describe all valuable property that does not have serial numbers.
5.) Take photographs or videotape your jewelry, antiques, or collectibles including paintings.
6.) Don’t keep excess cash on premises.
7.) Keep heirloom jewelry in a safety deposit box in the bank.
8.) Do not hide a key on the premises.

LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING

9.) Install motion lighting around the perimeter of your home, out of arms reach
10.) Make sure all home entry areas are especially well lit.
11.) Keep all trees trimmed to help eliminate hiding places.
12.) Shrubs and bushes should be kept at a maximum height of 42 inches.
13.) Large trees should not have their lowest branches lower than 7 feet off the ground.
14.) Keep all ground plants under windows maintained to a height that is below the window sill.

DOORS AND ENTRY AREAS

15.) Make sure exterior doors are of solid core construction
16.) All exterior doors should have a high quality deadbolt with at least a 1 inch throw with a beveled cylinder guard.
17.) Install door viewers in all entry doors.
18.) Make sure that all strike plates (the plate that receives the bolt when in the locked position) are installed with three-inch screws.
19.) If you purchase a new home or are not sure who has a key to your home, re-key your locks.
20.) All out-swinging doors should have the outside hinges pinned to prevent removing the door.
21.) All sliding patio doors should have auxiliary locks with anti-lift shims or screws installed in the header to prevent lifting.
22.) Interior door from garage to home should be of solid core construction with deadbolt installed.
23.) Never leave the remote garage door opener in your vehicle ( purchase a mini remote and keep it on your key chain)

WINDOWS

24.) Windows should be equipped with auxiliary locks or wood dowel in the bottom track to prevent prying and anti shims in the top track to prevent lifting.
25.) Install auxiliary locks on garage windows as well as wood dowel in the bottom track and anti shims in the top track
26.) Install security bars (with safety releases) on all vulnerable house windows including the garage and basement.
27.) Install window coverings on garage windows
28.) Remove any boosting aids that a burglar might use to access a window. Aids like ladders, children’s toys, pieces of wood, etc.
29.) Keep your drapes drawn at night, don’t let the bad guys pick up on your living habits.
30.) Don’t leave open windows unattended.