Home Security Beat

10 Security Questions to Ask Yourself

When you’re trying to improve the general security of your home, the best way to determine what you need is to think like a burglar. In order to assess the weak areas of your home, it can help to ask yourself some general security questions.

Is your lawn well manicured?
Burglars can easily hide in overgrown trees and shrubs around your home. Plus, when the landscaping is out of control, it can create shaded areas, which are the perfect hiding places for people who are scoping out your home. Make sure you have your trees and shrubs pruned regularly.

Can your skylights be removed from the outside or broken?
Skylights provide large amounts of natural light, which is ideal in a home. However, a thief can easily get onto your roof without being seen and use this window as an entry. Consider having a window bar installed or at least a security alarm that sounds if someone breaks it.

Are there reinforced locks on your screen doors and windows?
This is something you would want to update as soon as possible, because if someone is able to get through the screen door, it gives him/her more motivation to keep going. If you leave your door open and the screen door and windows open in the summer, a thief could easily gain entry probably without you even realizing it.

Are your sliding glass doors secure?
If the pieces of glass can easily be lifted out of the frame, it isn’t even close to being safe. This should be updated, and you can also install door alarms on it or even security cameras on the outside. It’s also wise to fit a piece of wood in between the door jam, so it’s impossible to open the door from the outside.

How solid are your exterior doors?
Your exterior doors should be at least 1 ¾ inch thick, and the safest ones are made from solid wood or reinforced with metal. The stronger and thicker the door, the more effective it is as a barrier. Although these types of doors will be more expensive, it’s an important investment. If you’re unable to update your doors, maybe invest in security cameras or door alarms for the meantime.

There are so many aspects of home security, which is why these questions as well as others can help you assess your home. Maybe the most general question you can ask yourself is “how easy is it for someone to break into my home?”

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