The Home Security Survey

The place to start in implementing home security measures is a security survey done by a professional.  Usually a local police force will send a security expert out to a home to walk the house and grounds with the owner.  If this service is not available in your community, they may provide you with pamphlets or other materials that will allow you to do your own survey.  Several books are on the market as well.  Also, if you plan to have a professional install an alarm system, the company will often perform the survey.  Be careful, because they might have a hidden agenda to sell you a more expensive security system than you need.

To really do the survey correctly, you need to think like a burglar.  Imagine that you want to break into your home without getting caught.  Where would you enter?  When?  How?  What do you think would give you away?

A little imagination on your part will lead you to the following conclusions:

• Your points of entry—doors and windows are where you are most vulnerable.
• Burglars fear two things: being heard, and being seen.

A walk around your home, preferably with a professional, should quickly point out to you your weaknesses in home security.  If you are like most of us, locking yourself out from time to time, you probably already know these points of vulnerability.  You probably know as well just how easy it really is to break into most homes.

Windows are the most vulnerable point of entry.  Your windows and screens may be equipped with the standard, older (sometimes newer) types of screens and window latches.  These are often inadequate in deterring a burglar.  The common window latch can be opened from the outside with a butter knife and just five seconds; the screens require a penknife and an additional five seconds.

Many doors are equipped with simple spring locks.  These can be opened with a credit card or a knife.  Even if they are equipped with a more secure deadbolt, if the frame of the door is not se- cure, a forceful shove can often break the wooden frame and trim around the door.  Walk through your home and make a list of all your vulnerable areas, especially those easily accessible from the ground, including the first floor and doors.  Also check out second-floor entry points that are quickly accessible with the use of a ladder.

Ask yourself, what would make my house a house a burglar would not want to hit?   Are there high bushes for burglars to hide in?  Are there areas of the house that are well hidden?  Is there inadequate lighting?  Are there several vulnerable points of entry?  Are there valuable items in plain view through first-floor windows?

If burglars believe they would be in full view of neighbors, you can be sure they will avoid your home.  You may need to cut back some shrubs.  If you live where there are no neighbors close by, noise from an alarm system is your best deterrent.  At night, outdoor lighting is recommended.

Also, check to see if your exterior doors are hollow core or the more durable solid or metal doors.  Do any trees offer easy access to second-story windows?  Are sliding-glass or garage doors vulnerable?  What type of windows do you have?  Are they vulnerable?   After you complete your security survey, you are ready to make some decisions concerning what security measures you want to implement.  This section discusses ways of installing these measures yourself.