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Smart Security Tips to Prevent a Home Invasion
Can you prevent a home invasion?
I still remember the way I felt the day I learned the horrific news that a 26-year-old woman had been allegedly stabbed and sexually assaulted in her own home in Willowbrook.
I immediately shared this news with my team and we discussed ways in which we could help our community and clients feel safe. We reached out to our clients and advised them to arm their security systems at home and to keep their remote control panic button close.
Recently, we learned a few other homes had been invaded in different parts of Illinois. The fact is most people don’t know what to do during a home invasion. Most of us think it won’t happen to us.
This morning, I came across a blog shared by a fellow ASIS member – Jordan Frankel (Security Experts Inc.) and I just knew I needed to share these safety tips provided by a global security expert with our beloved clients and readers.
Read below for precautionary measures to reduce the risk of being a victim:
1. Reinforce your door frames and hinges.
Installing a security door brace that withstands a minimum of 1800 pounds of force will go a long way in preventing thugs from entering your home.
2. Treat all ground floor windows with glass protection film.
These protective window coatings can significantly slow down an intruder, supplying you the precious seconds needed to call the police or retreat to a predetermined safe room, such as a basement or locking closet with a reinforced door.
3. Lock windows and doors at all times.
Intruders will find any open windows, open doors or garages to get in your home. Make sure to always lock all windows, doors and garages to keep your home safe.
4. Install outdoor, high-intensity LED motion lighting
underneath a minimum of two roof-line eaves. Motion detection lighting is a fantastic way to startle and deter intruders.
5. Keep your alarm system set day and night.
Alarm systems are important components of any home security plan. However, a recent study suggests that up to 25% of homeowners neglect to set their alarm systems. No matter if its day or night, make sure you and your family members set your home’s alarm system.
6. In addition, ensure everyone is familiar with how to operate the keypad.
Most home security systems have a panic button located on the keypad. Knowing how to activate the panic button in an emergency can yield numerous benefits, including signaling the police to respond with higher priority than normal, which can speed up the overall response time. Alarm keypads also have the ability to display the zone or area of the home that was breached. Informing the 911 dispatcher of the intruder’s location on the premises can be extremely helpful to the police in apprehending the intruder.
7. Never open the door to a stranger.
If you aren’t expecting that person that claims to be a service technician, delivery man or police officer, do not open your door when they come knocking. Instead, ask for their name and the name of their employer, and then call the company or agency directly to verify their identity. If you suspect foul play of any kind, call 911 immediately.
Thank you Security Sensei for these valuable tips to prevent a home invasion!
For more home invasion tips, visit our blog How to Safely Escape a Home Invasion Part 1.