Organize To Thwart Criminals

Now that I have your attention let's talk serious business: nobody expects to have their homes broken into. The simple fact is about 1.5 million homes are broken into in the U.S. each year, and it can be prevented by simply pre planning or what I would like to coin as operation "Organize Kevin McCallister Sytle."

Organizing is simply putting systems in place to achieve a certain level of structure and sanity in an otherwise crazy and upredictable world! Does your home security need a little "Organizing?"

STEP ONE: Try to break into your own home.

That's right, without doing any damage to your home try to break into your home. *40% of annual break ins are because people have not secured the home. Do you leave windows open? Is there a broken door that is easy to jimmie? Is my window AC unit easily removed to gain access to the home? Is there a pile of wood that allows you to climb up on the roof to a second story window. (Please don't get hurt as I am not responsible for any accidents) But it is important to know if you have made it too easy for burglars to break in.

STEP TWO: Do a night perimeter walk for valuables.

One night while the family is just hanging out in the home, do a walk around as if you were scoping your place out to rob. Is there a lot of valuable items within plain view as you take your lap around your home?


                                                      TAKE ACTION!
Now that you know what is as risk here are some quick tips as to how to organize your home to be less likely to be broken into. Here are 10 quick and little to no cost ideas to secure your home.

1. Get to know your neighbors. A neighborhood that is close reports fewer crimes.
2. Hid A Keys are great, but make sure you get one that is secured to a solid structure and has a combination on it.
3. Put a security sign in your front yard even if you dont have one. Granted it may not stop a burglar from trying but it is more likely to deter some criminals.
4. Put a set of spare car keys in your night stand. If you believe someone is in your home, set off the panic alarm in your car, and immediately call 911.
5. When on vacation have your mail stopped or have a neighbor collect it.
6. Hide highly valuable items someplace in a childs room. Burglars usually hit the Master Bedroom and leave young childrens rooms alone.
7. Stage your home to look like you are there. When on vacation set a timer for lights in the home. You probably already have one for your Christmas tree, use that one.
8. Call your local police station and let them know you are on vacation. See if they will do a nighly drive by to make sure all is well.
9. Get a "Charlie Bar" for your sliding glass door. Something as simple as an old broom stick will work.
10. Don't keep your home voicemail volume super high when you are gone. Buglars will call the home and see if it goes to voicemail a few times before breaking in... if they can hear the whole message play verses you sending it to voice mail, they know your not home.



*How Stuff Works