Keep Your Home Safe From Break-Ins

October is National Crime Prevention month.  Burglary is one of the easiest crimes to prevent, yet is one of the most common.  Let's not keep it that way!  With the holiday season upon us, and with holiday travel plans being made, now is a great time to consider improving your home's security.

Consider the following anti-burglary tips offered by WebMD to boost home security and keep your home and family safe.



1.  Don't Advertise You're Away

• Use automatic light timers throughout the house.  It's beneficial to use timers that have more than one on-off cycle to create the illusion of movement from room to room.  These timers can also be used to turn TV's/radios on and off.
• Turn the volume of your phone's ringer down so someone outside can't hear them ring.  If you can, have your calls forwarded while you're away.
• Arrange to have your lawn cut or snow removed if you will be gone for a long period of time.
• Have a neighbor pick up your mail and deliveries and hold them for you.
• Always park your car in the garage with the garage door closed when you are home to avoid someone watching for patterns.
• Never leave notes on the door.

2.  Make It Hard to Break In

• Never leave doors or windows unlocked.
• Never hide a key to your house where it can be easily found.
• Use solid core or metal doors that are secured with good quality deadbolt locks.
• Treat a door between an attached garage and the house as an outside door.
• Any window or glass panel in the door that is closer than 42 inches to the lock should be reinforced with an invisible security film so a burglar can't break the glass and reach through to unlock the door.
• Use a metal or wooden rod in the track on sliding glass patio doors to prevent them from sliding open.
• Never leave a ladder that can be used to access the roof or a second story window outside or in an unlocked shed.
• Cut back tree limbs that hang over the roof, and remove any lower branches from trees next to the home.

3.  Don't Make It Easy to Hide

• Trim back or remove any shrubbery next to doors or windows. If you are going to use plants next to the house, you should use thorny plants.
• Use outside security lighting to illuminate every access door.
• Use exterior lighting with motion detectors for the yard, driveway and other outside regions.
• Remember the back and side of your home offer some concealment for a burglar who is trying to break in. So pay close attention to securing all entrances, and if possible avoid installing a tall privacy fence since that offers even greater concealment.

4.  Install a Home Security Alarm System

• Be sure to use the yard sign and window decals that say your house is protected by a home security system.  Regularly check to make sure the sign is visible and has not been covered up by shrubs or pulled out of the ground by pets or neighborhoods children.
• Choose a home security system that uses motion detectors as well as arms all windows and doors that could provide access.
• Also consider using glass-break sensors that set off the alarm at the sound of a window or glass door panel being broken. Some sensors also detect sudden shock waves and will set the alarm off if someone is trying to kick open the door.
• Never post your pass code next to or on the home security alarm key pad.

5.  Get to Know Your Neighbors

• Make it a point to meet your neighbors so that you can ask them to keep an eye on things while you're away.
• Consider organizing a neighborhood watch program if your neighborhood doesn't already have one.  Most local law enforcement agencies can help you plan and organize a watch program.

At ALINK Insurance Services, we care about the safety of your home and family.  Contact us at any of our offices listed below to discuss any of your insurance needs.  And from us to you, have a fun and SAFE Halloween this weekend!
Check back HERE for a Halloween safety reminder.

Denver Metro/Parker: 303-752-6479
Colorado Springs: 719-473-6262
Greeley: 970-475-0900
Surrounding States: 877-643-6148

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