Any burglar, even those who say they aren’t afraid of dogs (hint: they really are) will think twice about breaking into a house with a “Beware of Dog” sign in the yard. But you don’t need a Rottweiler or Doberman to add security to your home. A Chihuahua isn’t very big or scary looking but it barks and barks and barks and the last thing a burglar wants is something making noise while he’s trying to break in.

There’s a lot to consider if you’re thinking about a dog as part of your home security plan including what you want your dog to do.

Watch dogs – these four-legged burglar alarms can be any size or breed. As soon as they hear a noise, they go to the spot and bark, alerting you that something is amiss. The bigger the bark, the scarier the dog but even a tiny “yapper” will make a burglar think twice and head to a house without a dog.

Protection dogs – these dogs have had advanced obedience training and will bark and lunge at an intruder or aggressor but will not actually bite unless it senses you are in imminent danger. Their training is focused on deterring the aggressor, not attacking. A well-trained protection dog will also serve as a watchdog, barking at the first sign of trouble.

Attack dogs – biting is an attack dog’s job. They have been trained to bite aggressively on their master’s command or when their master is assaulted. They will let go only when instructed by its master or if the attacker ceases to present a threat.

Guard dogs – don’t even consider it. These dogs are trained to kill and represent a danger to everyone in their path. Don’t let anyone sell you a trained guard dog.

Electronic dogs – this could be the perfect “pet” for people who don’t want or can’t have a dog. An electronic alarm system “barks” when an intruder approaches the house. Even burglars who suspect an electronic dog won’t chance it, particularly if you place a “Beware of Dog” sign on your property. There are no vet bills and no food to buy, but an electronic dog won’t wag its tail when you come home.

No tags

The 2002 movie with Jodie Foster made the term “Panic Room” famous but “Safe Rooms” have been protecting people and things for centuries. The Pharaohs built hidden chambers in the pyramids, ancient rulers had “keeps” deep within their castles, worried Americans built bomb shelters during the cold war, and homeowners still flee to storm cellars.

Today, homeowners are increasingly requesting panic rooms. Whether you are considering a safe, or panic room might depend on who you are, what you do, or where you live. High-profile celebrities, public figures, top level corporate executives, perhaps even criminals – have safe rooms. They fear being kidnapped for ransom, or they need to hide money or protect valuables. Some may wish to avoid potentially dangerous stalkers. For these people, the sky’s the limit and every amenity from property-wide closed circuit TV to fully stocked wine cellars are included. It should also come as no surprise that increased terror alerts over the past decade has boosted the popularity of safe rooms, particularly in cities or regions that are likely targets of terrorism.

Perhaps the most logical and common use of a safe room, however, is protection against nature. We have all witnessed catastrophic weather events in recent years and the best safe rooms are built with materials that protect its inhabitants through tornados, hurricanes and more. Steel floors and ceilings, Kevlar walls, bulletproof doors, emergency generators… a panic room can be a temporary safe haven or a mini-fortress. While a home invasion panic room can be located anywhere, and is often accessed from a bedroom, weather-safe rooms should be built on or below the ground floor unless there is a distinct danger of flooding in which a second level room is a better alternative.

The best time to add a safe room is during construction when ducting, water supply, generators, materials and even layout and location are easily planned. However, existing bathrooms, closets, utility rooms or even wine cellars are viable candidates for a makeover. If you are considering adding a “Panic Room” to your home, consult an experienced builder because being safe is much more complex than simply locking the door.

No tags

The summertime is one of the best seasons to enjoy your home. But as the temperature rises, so does the occurrence of home burglaries. By keeping a few basic summer safety tips in mind this season, you can reduce the chance of having a burglary or an accident get in the way of your summer plans.

Opening the windows in your home to enjoy the fresh, warm air is great as long as you are in the house. Before going anywhere, it is important that you close and lock all windows, doors, and patio entrances to reduce the chance of inviting a thief to walk right into your home.

If you are home and have the windows open, be sure that all the window screens are properly attached and still in good condition. Also, keep in mind that no screens are strong enough to prevent a child from falling from a window. If you have small children at home or tend to throw summer gatherings where guests might bring their children, remove any furniture away from the windows to prevent children from climbing too close. In addition, backyard parties can create a lot of traffic in and out of the house, so be sure to close doors completely to keep small children from wondering outside.

Weekend getaways during the summertime mean many homes are left empty. Creating the illusion that you are home, however, greatly reduces the chance that a thief will target your house. Before leaving for a trip, turn on an inside or outside light near your front and back door. To save on your energy bills, set the light to a timer so that it shuts of during the day and turns back on at dusk. Not only is this more economical, it also gives the appearance that someone is coming and going. Another simple and effective way to make it seem like the house is occupied is by playing a radio inside the house while you are away. This noise, especially recorded household sounds, like a dog barking or a person laughing, make it seem like your family is still home.

The task of hiring a new lawn care service or pool attendant in the summer can be daunting. While letting these people onto your property can feel risky, there are ways to ensure you find the best help available. First, ask your neighbors who they use. Getting recommendations from people you are already familiar with is the best way to assess new services. Plus, you can observe the quality of their work first-hand. Secondly, be sure to ask if the workers have insurance in case an injury occurs on your property. Also, have an agreement in writing as to what is going to be done at what cost to avoid any misunderstanding later on. Lastly, it is a good idea to be home the first few times new workers come to your home. This way, you can decide for yourself if you trust them at your home.

If you decide to do your home’s summer upkeep yourself there are several important things to remember about insect sprays, fertilizers, pool chemicals and the other harsh products that are used during summer months. Be certain to read the labels on products before using them around your home. Protective gear such as goggles and gloves should be worn when using these dangerous items. Also, after each use make sure that you store them in a clean and dry place out of reach from children and animals.

Remembering these simple precautions can protect your family and home, as well as, your fun summer plans!

No tags

Sliding glass doors can provide easy entry for even the laziest burglar. Homeowners leave them open to let in the breeze or let out the pets, particularly in warm weather. And since sliders are typically located at the rear of the house they, and burglars, are hidden from the street.

Older doors are particularly vulnerable to break-ins. Most sliding doors are equipped with latches only, not locks, and over time the mechanism wears out. A thief can insert a small crowbar or screwdriver between the latch and the frame and pop open the door. Placing a sturdy wooden stick in the track at the end opposite the latch can prevent the door from sliding, but it’s not foolproof protection. The rollers also wear down with constant use, creating a larger than desired gap in the track at the top and bottom of the door. A thief can simply lift the door up into the gap and tilt it out of its track. Replacing the rollers is one option, but there are several devices on the market that can prevent a sliding door from being opened or removed including pins, locks and bars and one or more of these products will be available in any well-stocked hardware store.

Any security issues that apply to sliding doors also apply to windows. You surely don’t want to keep your windows closed, but leaving them wide open, even on the second floor, is an invitation to trouble. First, determine how much of an opening you need to assure ventilation. Next, insert a stick in the track to block the window from being opened further; be sure the stick can be easily removed in case of a fire. Finally, test it out yourself to be sure the gap isn’t so wide that a thief can get a hand around inside the widow to remove the blocker.

These tips can help, but a home security system with window and door alarms is your best weapon, and be sure to place decals on all sliding doors and windows to let the burglar know you’re protected.

No tags

Is your home a potential target for a burglary? Why not find out by burglarizing it yourself. As soon as you finish reading this, go outside and start thinking like a burglar.

• No signs showing the homeowner has a security system installed – sweet!

• Check the doors and windows to see if they’re locked. Do sliders have bars in the tracks to prevent them from being opened? Hey, you could smash the window with the kid’s baseball bat lying on the lawn.

• Is the garage door open? If not, check to see if the door opener is on the visor of the car in the driveway – it’s probably not locked

• Maybe there’s a house key under the mat… or in the mailbox or plant pot. That’ll make the job easier.

• Are there lots of shrubs close to the house where you can hide?

• The curtains are open so crawl behind that shrub and peek through a window – see anything you’d like to steal? TV, stereo, computer, silver, jewelry, car keys?

• Check the kitchen window – maybe the family schedule is posted on the fridge so you’ll know when no one’s home – and look at all those prescription drug bottles on the counter!

• How about that ladder leaning against the shed or that tree limb that’s hanging over the roof – that’s a good way to get into the upstairs bedroom

Keep looking… trying to “break in” to your own home can be an eye opening experience. Remember, burglars know all the tricks and they want the easiest way in and the fastest way out – with all your stuff. Don’t give them the opportunity. Look at your house from a burglar’s point of view – day and night – and make as many changes as you can to keep them out!

No tags