Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some inexpensive, effective ways to defend your home against burglaries & invasions. (6)

Michael Petruccelli says; Call the police. Many departments have a home-security inspection program. A designated officer walks through your home looking for weaknesses and advises you on alarm systems, locks and lighting within a modest budget.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some inexpensive, effective ways to defend your home against burglaries & invasions. (5)

Michael Petruccelli says; Door mats, flowerpots and fake rocks are the first places burglars look for your spare key. Instead, give it to a trusted neighbor. Train children (especially teens) to keep key locations, alarm codes and other family security information private from their friends.
• Check in with family as you come and go. When you get home, phone to say that you’re getting out of the car and are almost at the door; require kids to check in when they arrive home or leave.
• Have a family discussion to plan what you’ll do in case of a break-in or home invasion. Whoever can escape should, says Sgt Dan. Although the first instinct of many men may be to stay and defend their family, it’s better to get reinforcements than to get hurt.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some inexpensive, effective ways to defend your home against burglaries & invasions. (4)

Michael Petruccelli says; Get smart. “First of all, use the door locks that you already have,” advises Sgt. Ryan, of the Calif., Police Department. People in friendly communities that are generally safe may think they don’t need to lock their doors. That’s a big mistake, Ryan says. Here are more strategies:

• Make it a nightly routine to check the locks. Involve children, too, says Chris, a security expert.
• Don’t open the door — and don’t let kids open the door — to uninvited strangers.
• Use your automatic garage opener to close the garage door when you get home before exiting your car.
• Stick around when people are working in your home. Notice what they’re doing. Check after they’ve left to ensure that nothing’s missing and that no one has left a window or door unlocked as a way to break in later.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some inexpensive, effective ways to defend your home against burglaries & invasions. (3)

Michael Petruccelli says; Finally, do your own sleuthing by spending time in the neighborhoods that interest you. Look for bars on doors and windows and alarm company signs in front of homes, giveaways to a troubled neighborhood. Chat with business owners. Knock on doors to ask neighbors about crime. If you’re renting, pick an upper-floor unit (ground-floor apartments can be attacked more easily). Look for on-site management and inspect the complex carefully, watching for damaged doors that signal previous break-ins. Best is an apartment with kick-proof metal door jambs rather than wood or a steel door.