We continue with part 2 (of 2) of the Home Security Audit. Let’s examine the house itself, inside and out.
Most burglaries occur when no one is home. The ultimate goal is to deter a burglar from targeting your home. If someone does try to enter, then you deny entry or at least delay entry. Delaying entry gives neighbors or police a change to detect the burglar. The majority of burglars are caught because a neighbor noticed suspicious activity and called 911.
The Structure
Ask yourself these YES or NO questions to see if your home security is lacking:
- Do you have deadbolts or locks on all exterior doors?
- Can the exterior door frames withstand excessive force?
- Is there a peephole in all doors where visitors are admitted?
- Is the garage door locked and closed?
- Has the sliding glass door been modified to prevent it being moved or lifted off the track?
- Are the vertically opening windows secured with a window grill or grate?
- Are casement windows securely locked?
- Are basement windows secured with a second lock or covered with a grate or grill?
The Interior and Contents
Ask yourself these YES or NO questions to see if your home security is lacking:
The Interior
- Do you check the doors and windows before you leave home?
- When you are away, do you leave your blinds open?
- When away from home, do you leave the radio on a talk show station?
- When your home is unoccupied in the evening hours, do you leave some lights on?
- When you talk to strangers, do you avoid giving them too much information?
- If you do have an alarm system, do you make sure that it is armed every time you are away?
- If you have firearms are they unloaded and locked safely away?
The Contents
- Do you have a current inventory of the contents of your home?
- Do you have a safety deposit box?
- Do you have insurance that will cover the cost of replacing stolen or destroyed items?