Protecting Against Home Invasion

Everyone should feel safe and secure in their own home, but sometimes criminals try to take advantage of us when we least expect it. You can decrease your chances of becoming the victim of a home invasion robbery by following these few simple recommendations:

• Criminals don't want to be seen! Make sure all exterior lights are fully operational and check or replace any bulbs, if needed. Always try to keep your home illuminated at night by turning on exterior lights, or putting them on a timer or motion detector. Keep all landscaping trimmed to allow for maximum visibility.
• Don't open the door to strangers or any unexpected guests. A bad guys will tell you anything to get you to open the door. If a stranger come knocking on your door, try to get a good look at them through the peep-hole or a front window first. Communicate with them through the door without opening it, until you determine whether or not they're friend or foe!
• If equipped, turn ON your alarm system even while your home! Most residential alarm systems have a "Stay" feature that allows monitoring of perimeter doors and windows, but disables interior motion or glass break detectors. You can also program your alarm to bypass specific areas to allow for access, but still monitor the rest of the house (i.e. You can bypass a rear patior door, while out in the backyard, but still monitor the front of the house.)
• Always lock your front door's bolt-locl! Make sure that your front door, its frame, and the strike plate are all structurally reinforced. You can also supplement your front door's security by adding a secondary/auxillary locking mechanism (such as a surface can bolt, swing bar, or door club.) NEVER, ever soley rely on your door's key-in-the-knob style lock or a chain lock to prevent forced entry and keep criminal's out!