Cost-effective ways to protect your home

Friday, January 23, 2015

In 2012, there were more than 2.1 million burglaries reported in the United States. That averages out to one burglary every 15 seconds.

“The goal in home security is to make it so the casual burglar will be thwarted,” said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension housing and consumer specialist. “While it’s impossible to make your home completely secure, there are many low-tech, low-cost and low-effort measures homeowners can take to help ensure their safety.”

One of the best ways to get started on beefing up your home security is to call the police. Many municipal police departments offer complementary home inspections in which an officer will go through your home and recommend simple and cost-effective ways to tighten security.

It is important to make home security a habit. This goes for every member of the household. Get in the routine of using door and window locks. Once you arrive home, close and secure your garage door. This prevents would-be burglars from seeing what types of things you keep stored in the garage. Be sure to lock all vehicles parked in the driveway as well.

“If your home has sliding glass doors, consider placing a wooden dowel cut to size in the track of the door,” she said. “This is a very inexpensive fix to an area that may be more vulnerable than others in your home.”

Teach your children to never open the door to uninvited guests. Older children who may be home alone should be instructed not to answer the door.

“It’s a good idea to make your home look like someone is there, even when you are gone,” Peek said. “Install timers on lights and televisions. The key is to make a would-be burglar pass on your home because it looks like someone is there.”

Outdoor lighting is a great deterrent for burglars, especially the kind with infrared motion sensors. These should be installed near each entry point of your home, as well as near access points to your yard. Be sure to quickly replace burned-out bulbs.

Some homeowners will hide a house key under the mat, inside the mailbox or under a rock. Unfortunately, would-be crooks also know where these hiding spots are. Instead of hiding a key, leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor.

Another quick an inexpensive idea is to post “Beware of Dog” signs, even if you do not have a dog. Post the signs in visible spots such as at the front of the house or on a gate to the backyard.

“Your home is your biggest financial investment and the place where you want your family to feel safe and secure. Following these steps will help ensure your family’s security without breaking the bank,” Peek said.