Air conditioners, generators, pool pumps… homeowners may not give much thought to the expensive equipment outside their homes but here’s a true story that generated a big surprise for one family.

Snow, ice storms, hurricanes. The Maine coast can experience nasty weather all year long and many homeowners purchase generators to cope with expected, and often prolonged, power outages. Generators range in size from small portable gasoline models used to power necessary equipment only, to large permanently installed propane-fuelled systems that produce enough electricity to power a whole house. Bigger than a large refrigerator, these units can weigh a thousand pounds or more and are typically bolted onto a cement pad. Safe, right?

Imagine the surprise and dismay when the Maine homeowner pulled into his driveway to discover his recently installed generator had been stolen. Bolts and electrical connections were cut and the entire unit hauled away. This was obviously a well-planned theft and more than likely the unit was sold. More often, however, thieves open generators or air conditioners and quickly strip out the valuable copper and steel. In fact, scrap metal theft has become “big business” and unwary homeowners are left holding the bill. So what to do?

If you have the option, position the equipment out of plain sight. If equipment is easily viewed from the street or adjoining property, consider a permanently installed enclosure or cage designed specifically to protect the unit. The time it takes to break into a cage will deter most thieves. If a cage is beyond your budget, you can hide the equipment with shrubs or a fence. These will also provide added, cosmetic protection for a cage. And it’s not only the big, obvious things that are vandalized. If you live in a rural area or have a well on your property, consider disguising it or shielding it from thieves who are adept at robbing wells. Imagine turning on the shower in the morning only to find someone has hauled up your well pump and taken off with the metal. It happens more often than you think.

If budget allows, installing a ADT monitored perimeter security system is the best course of action you can take to deter thieves and protect your home’s external equipment. For immediate protection right now, the best thing you can do right now is hide the object in plain sight.

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You take home protection seriously… you lock your doors and windows, put a hold on your mail when you’re away, regularly change fire detector batteries, and have an emergency family evacuation plan. You’ve even made a written and photo inventory of your home’s contents for insurance purposes and keep it in your file cabinet. Well, here’s a better “safe” idea.

Every homeowner and tenant should have a safe in which to keep valuable items and documents. The problem, however, is that many people buy a safe without really thinking about what it will protect the contents from. Fear of burglary is certainly a primary reason people buy safes that range from small wall units to huge bolt-down floor models. If you own firearms, you should definitely own a gun safe and keep it locked at all times. But there are other less obvious hazards to be considered when buying a home safe.

Suppose the worst happened and a fire broke out in your home. The fire department arrived and extinguished the flames with water. Lots of water. You’re confident your documents are protected inside your fireproof safe but when you finally open it, you’re devastated to find the contents damaged or ruined. Not by fire. By water.

Or consider this. We’ve all seen news reports of the aftermath of floods and storms. We watched sadly as homeowners wade through hip-deep water hoping to salvage documents, photos, and treasured mementos. People who thought their home safes would protect their valuables discover that the river, the rain, the ocean, the sewage seeped in through cracks and openings and ruined everything. And watery disasters aren’t always weather related – even a burst pipe in your home can create a deluge.

Don’t take the risk. Determine what you will need to protect and select a waterproof fireproof safe accordingly. There are many brands and types on the market, from small portable models that are ideal for apartment dwellers to large models complete with bolt-down kits. The options and price ranges are wide and with a little research you’ll be able to find a safe that’s right for your needs and budget. It’s a wise investment that will be with you…  through fire and rain.

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