Guest Post: 5 Weakest Links in Home Security

You know what they always say – “you’re only as strong as your weakest link.” This age-old adage can also be true when it comes to home security. In the interest of ensuring the comprehensive protection of your humble abode, take a look at the five weakest links in home security:

DIY systems

There are times to do things yourself, and then there are times to consult a professional. When it comes to home security, you’ll want to do the latter. While you may save money by installing your own security system, an improper installation and a lack of outside monitoring could leave you vulnerable to a myriad of threats. There are many home security providers – see Totalalarmsystems.com for an example – that offer 24/7 wireless monitoring for a very reasonable price.

Doors without deadbolts

One of the first things a burglar will look for is whether a home’s doors are equipped with deadbolts. Deadbolts make it much harder for an intruder to dismantle or destroy a door frame in order to get inside your home.

There are three different types of deadbolts: single cylinder deadbolts, double cylinder deadbolts and keyless entry deadbolts.

Single cylinder deadbolts typically meet the needs of most homeowners. However, you may want to consider double cylinder deadbolts if you have doors with glass windows. Since you need a key to operate the lock on both sides of the cylinder, an intruder will not be able to open the door by breaking a window. Finally, keyless entry deadbolts – which are becoming a more popular option for homeowners – are locked and unlocked by entering a code on a numeric keypad. Some of these locks can even be operated by a remote device – similar to a remote keychain lock for your car.

Large bushes and shrubs

One thing is true for all intruders – they don’t want to be seen. While bushes and shrubs may make your yard more aesthetically pleasing, they can also make your home a more pleasing target for burglars who are looking to move around unseen. Consequently, you should make sure to trim or remove hedges so would-be burglars are unable to hide on your property.

Inadequate lighting

Keep the aforementioned point about intruders and conspicuity in mind. Along with tall bushes and shrubs, darkness is a burglar’s biggest ally because it also helps them approach a house by stealth. Therefore, you should always keep the outside area of your home well-lit. You can buy motion-activated floodlights at your local hardware store for around $20-$30. By eliminating an intruder’s most important advantage – the ability to move around surreptitiously – you will significantly minimize the chance of a break-in.

Human error

“We’re only human, right?” Everyone has those momentary memory lapses, or brainfarts, when you completely forget to do something important – like arm your security system when you go to sleep or leave the house. Unfortunately, an unarmed system is not going to help keep you safe from burglary, fire and other potential threats. So, if your brain has chronic gas, it’s a good idea to help yourself remember to activate your system when you need to. One great way to do this is to simply leave a sticky note by the keypad or door to serve as a reminder. Also, in the interest of avoiding false alarms and taking full advantage of your home security system, it’s imperative that everyone in your household knows how to activate and deactivate your alarm.

© 2013, Rourke. All rights reserved.

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