Summer Security Preparations
Summer, unofficially, has finally arrived. After a long, dismal winter, most of us are thrilled to be outside in the warm air and sunshine. With school soon to be out for the summer, many of us will be heading to the beach or mountains and visiting family and friends. But before you dip your toes into the summer fun, make sure your home is secure while you are away.
UNOCCUPIED AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE HOMES
Burglaries occur every 26 seconds in the United States, according to FBI statistics. Most take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., as criminals prefer homes that are unoccupied. It’s not uncommon for thieves to case a neighborhood to see the comings and goings of residents before choosing their targets. Easy in and out is the preferred method of most burglars. Single family
homes are preferred, as there are multiple access points and are generally more secluded.Once inside of a home, these criminals will grab cash, electronics and anything else they can sell for cash then bolt.
Here at Delco Alarm Systems, we know it’s crucial to avoid tipping off potential criminals as to your family’s schedules and to make sure your home is secure when you are not present. Here are some practices to follow to keep your home and family safe this summer:
● Home security systems are the number one deterrent of burglars everywhere. Professionally installed and monitored systems are the best. If you need assistance choosing or upgrading a security system, the professionals at Delco Alarm will be happy to help.
● A smart-home system will allow you to check up on your property while you are away. You can turn on lights, music or T.V while you are away, making your home look lived-in. Homes with the lights on, a vehicle in the driveway, visible activity or audible noises from within are less likely to be burglarized.
Lock It Up
● Make your home harder to access and less attractive to burglars. Secure entryways (front, back and side) with high quality locks on exterior doors, quality deadbolt locks with beveled casing and quality door knob-in-lock sets with dead latch mechanisms. These measures make it harder to enter a random home and less worth the effort. Make sure all windows are locked, including garages and sheds.
● Ensure that sliding glass door and patio entrances have secondary blocking devices. Make sure all sliding door rollers are in good condition and properly adjusted. Utilize anti-lift devices such as through-the-door pins or upper track screws to secure all patio entryways.
● Use visual deterrents such as alarm, beware of dog or block watch decals. Remember, burglars are looking for in-and-out scenarios and choose to avoid any situation that may alert others to their activity.
● Make sure your property has ample lighting. There is nothing more attractive to a burglar than privacy in completing his task.
● Before going away, ask a family member or friend to pick up your mail daily. You can also call the U.S. Post Office to have them hold your mail until you return.
● It’s also a good idea to limit your social media posts about all of the fun you are having while away on vacation. These postings are an open invitation to savvy criminals looking for an easy target.
The professionals at Delco Alarm System are happy to assist you with your security needs. If you need to set up an appointment or have any other questions or security needs don’t hesitate to call us at 610-494-9100.