Intruder Protection
with Home Burglar
Alarms Systems

"...the 4 most effective security deterrents you can use
are said to be electronic devices..."

Protecting your home takes more than a big dog.

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According to the FBI and National Home Security Council, a burglary takes place somewhere every 12 seconds, with burglars taking no more than one minute to break in. If you do nothing to protect your home, you are 2.7 times more likely to be burglarized. And 60% of all burglaries take place on broad daylight!

If you were to ask most people what they do to protect their homes, you would get a list ranging from exterior lights to dogs. A survey was conduced of 589 convicted property offenders in which they were asked what methods would have been the most effective in deterring them from the crime. The following list is arranged from least effective to most effective. You may be surprised at where your methods fall on the list...and then again, maybe not.

Burglary deterring attempts/methods

• Timed interior lights; crooks figure these out more quickly than anything else. Don't bother.
  
  
• Deadbolt locks
  
  
• Local burglar alarms—the type that just makes a lot of noise, but doesn't call the police
  
  
• Safes/strong boxes: If it's small enough, they'll take the whole box. If not, there will be plenty of items that aren't in the box.
  
  
• Neighborhood watch programs
  
  
• Better exterior lighting
  
  
• Random police foot patrols
  
  
• Guardhouses protecting homes
  
  
• Weapons in the home
  
  
• Dog in house (outdoor dogs are less threatening than indoor ones)
  
  
• Private security patrols
  
  
• Electronic sensors in windows
  
  
• Monitored burglar alarms (most effective deterrent)
  

Note that the four most effective deterrents were said to be electronic devices, both alarms and window sensors, private patrols, and dogs. It's worth noting, however, that friendly Fido is not what they meant. Most family pets can be deterred with a sharp yell, a determined, confident approach, or even just tossing them a bone. A true guard dog is trained to maim or even kill if need be, and many breeds of guard dog do not make a good family pet. A dog may also be inconvenient or prohibited in your area of the city, and purchasing, training, and effectively caring for such an animal will ultimately be more expensive and more time consuming than choosing the more effective electronic device.

According to one police officer, professional criminals dislike time, noise, and light. If it takes longer than 15 seconds to break into your house, he is likely to go on to the next one. Thus quality doors and windows with heavy duty locks and sensors are an answer. Noise can be created by an alarm that also calls the police, and keeping the area around your house well lit is also a deterrent. However, lights have no effect during the day, which is why most burglaries take place in daylight when the homeowners are at work.

The most effective security system is also one of the least expensive—the monitored burglar alarm. (Much cheaper than maintaining a guard tower, for example). The following list summarizes some of the most effective options, both in terms of cost and protection.

• Wireless home security system: runs on batteries, will alert you about break-ins as well as fire and gas poisoning.
  
  
• Home burglar alarm system: alerts people in the area with a siren while sending a signal to dispatch police.
  
  
• Home security video camera: the more elaborate systems allow a homeowner to go on closed circuit TV—even from your computer at work—and monitor activity in the area around your home.
  
  
• Motion Detector (Lights) Alarm with Telephone dialer: this alarm connects to a telephone socket and will automatically dial a preset number if motion is detected within 20 feet. It will also set off a 125 decibel siren, although you can select the silent alarm option.
  
  
• Driveway alert: uses a weather proof, infrared motion detector that sends a signal to a base unit located inside the house. The base unit then sets off an alarm.
  
  
• Door and window contact magnets: sensors featuring a magnetic seal that detects movement if a door or window is disturbed.

The choices listed about are just a few. There is a home security system for nearly any budget. In fact, even putting a security company tag in your yard or window is more of a deterrent than having nothing at all. Be aware, however, that thieves are smart. If all you have is a tag, they will eventually figure that out just from the way you leave and enter your house.

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