Avoiding a Home Invasion

Not everyone can afford the monitoring system needed to be of any real benefit when having an alarm installed. This simply means that the home will require better security to avoid an intrusion. Still, with even the best and most reliable locks installed throughout your home, there are some things that you can personally do to avoid a home invasion. Anyone who has ever experienced a break-in has to ask themselves if there was something they could have done differently in order to avoid such and incident from happening to them. Generally, we like to point the finger at someone else rather than taking responsibility for our part in the incident. Many break-ins or burglary’s occur because of our negligence or oversight. An intruder is looking for time and opportunity. With this in mind, it is up to you as a homeowner, to make sure you do not provide them with these opportunities. Homeowners in and around Elgin, IL will do well to take note of some of the ways they can avoid a break-in of their home. Here are list of the most common mistakes that people make, which lead to them experiencing an unfortunate home invasion.

Precautions You Should Take to Avoid a Home Invasion

1.     Forgetting to Lock Your Doors

One of the most common mistakes, believe it or not, is not locking doors. You may think this is common sense. Well, that is what you would think. However, common it is, it is still something that is overlooked. If there is a back door that was open at some point in the day, you may simply forget that the door is even open or has been opened at some point in the day. When you leave home, make sure you check every entryway of your home to ensure that it is closed and locked.

2.     Watch What You Post on Social Media

Believe it or not, there are people who prey on people who use social media. You’ve seen people in their vacation pics or at some event in town. When you post too much information related to your whereabouts, this leaves your home open for a burglary. You give the burglar what he is looking for, time and opportunity. If you are away, they know they have time and your posting this means they know they will have the opportunity needed to get inside your home. Be very careful about what you are posting on social media.

3.     Invest in High Quality Locks

In some instances, you get what you pay for is actually true. This seems to be the case when it comes to purchasing locks. Since an intruder is likely familiar with the types of locks used today, they will be able to easily spot a quality lock versus a lock that is of poor quality. When you have a high quality lock installed, they will be able to look at your lock and make the decision not to bother. Cutting a high quality lock doesn’t give an intruder enough time to break-in. It takes far too long for them to actually cut a lock of good quality. In some instances, they are not able to do it at all. This is why they will often ignore a home with high security locks and go to the one without them.

4.     Be Careful About the Trash You Leave Out

If you purchased a new television or some other expensive electronics, breakdown the boxes and put them in the actual trash can. Leaving the boxes visible from the street allows thieves the opportunity to see what you have inside. They may then target your home in an effort to steal the valuable electronics that you have inside. They may figure they don’t have anything to lose because they know exactly what they are breaking in to get. Don’t give them the advantage of knowing what you have in your home.

5.     Remember to Turn on Your Home Alarm

Even if you do not have a monitoring company but you do have an alarm, it can still be useful as long as the alarm is set to respond when an attempted break-in occurs. This can only be accomplished by making sure your alarm has been turned on. Some break-ins can occur even when you are at home; therefore, it may be necessary to set your alarm even when you are at home. There might be certain areas of your home that are not used as much as others. Someone with knowledge of how your home is designed might be aware of this and attempt to break-in even with people in the house. Avoid a break-in by setting the alarm to activate even when you are home.

6.     Don’t Let Mail Pile Up

A bunch of mail piling up in your mailbox is a clear indication that no one is home to take it in. This may be something that a would-be robber would take notice of and set their eyes on your home as their next target. The same is true if there are newspapers or sales ads all over your driveway. Rather than make your home a target, if you are going to be away for an extended amount of time, contact your local post office and ask them to hold your mail. If you know your neighbors, you can kindly ask them to pick up any newspapers or sales ads left in your doorway or driveway. This makes your home less noticeable by those passing by.

7.     Get an Alarm

If you don’t have an alarm, consider purchasing one, even if you never turn it on, you’ll receive signage, which can be prominently displayed in front of your home. This may be a deterrent for a burglar who might have their eyes set on making you their next victim.

In many instances you have to think like an intruder would think. If they are looking to ‘score’ don’t make it easy for them to do so. Follow some of the precautions outlined and you are less likely to experience a home invasion.

Check out this related Video from ABCnews.go.com: http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/burglars-scared-home-security-systems-send-audio-video-37414705