Top 6 Tips to Keep Your Home Burgler Proof This Summer

Protecting your home while on vacation should be an important part of your vacation plans. Add this residential security checklist to ensure home is protected during the busy summer vacation months. 

1. DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS?

Get to know your neighbors, as friendly, caring neighbors are your first line of defense. As the saying goes, "It takes a village", and by letting your neighbors know that you will be out of town you have another level of defense to protect your home.  Watch out for suspicious activity in your neighborhood, join a neighborhood watch group if it's available, and start one if necessary! Find out more from the National Crime Prevention Counsel at http://www.ncpc.org

2. DO YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM?

Homes without security systems are about three times more likely to be broken into than those without. 90% of police believe alarm systems deter burglary attempts. According to the FBI, the average dollar loss per burglary offense was $2,119. Seeking the easiest possible course of action, homes without alarm lawn signs and stickers are vulnerable, especially if they are a rarity in your neighborhood—you'll stick out by exception in this regard.

In order to properly protect one’s home, self and family, individuals should work with a professional security provider that manufactures superior-class equipment and technology like the NAPCO’s (NASDAQ:NSSC) iBridge connected Home Services, so you are connected directly through your smartphone or tablet. The vast majority of DIY smart home products are sold by consumer electronics companies with little or no track record in the security space. This inexperience should raise a red flag for consumers, as inadequate technology could result in inadequate protection from home invasions.

3. IS YOUR HOME SHIELDED FROM YOU BY SHRUBBERY?

Trees and hedges that are trimmed give intruders fewer places to hide or be concealed from view when an intrusion is attempted.

4. LIGHTS OUT; NOBODY HOME?

Burned-out outdoor lights signal that the homeowner may be away. Using the cover of night, thieves generally target homes with burned-out or generally insufficient outdoor lighting. Consider upgrading outdoor light fixtures with devices that have built-in motion detectors that turn on the lights whenever anyone walks past or schedule lighting with a routine that matches dawn and dusk of the time of year.

5. IS YOUR HOUSE CASH RICH?

Avoid keeping large amounts of cash and jewelry in your house. Thieves are looking for cash and easy-to-carry things they can turn into cash quickly: jewelry, silver, cameras and electronic devices. Large items don't scare crooks off either – TVs, computers, and stereos get their attention too. Invest in a simple table/desk bolt for stereos and computers. If it's too difficult to steal most thieves, looking to get in and out quickly, won't bother.  Don’t be predictable and hide your small valuables like jewelry in the freezer, under the mattress and your cookie jar! Get a safe deposit box for heirloom items and things of value that you rarely use.

6.  DO YOU HIDE YOUR KEYS?

Be careful with your keys. Many burglaries don't require forcible entry. Don’t place an extra key in the usual places:  in the mailbox, over the doorway,   under the mat, or in a fake rock key holder that can be purchased at most large home stores. These are very common hiding places and the thieves know where to look.

Richard Soloway, CEO of NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc. one of the world's leading solutions providers and manufacturers of high-technology electronic security, connected home, video, fire alarm, access control and door locking systems. www.napcosecurity.com