Feature

Burglar’s Paradise: Protecting your home for robbers

Many of us recall the Christmas Comedy Film, Home Alone, in which young Kevin protected his home from intruders, Marv and Harry, by setting a number of booby traps to prevent them from entering and robbing his house. A blowtorch, a staple gun, a tarantula, a tumbling toolkit; and, of course the exploding toilet were just a few of the traps Kevin used to protect the McAllister home from robbery. While the film itself provided comic relief, protecting your home from robbery is no laughing matter. Good security begins with having the right mindset and far too many homeowners make simple mistakes which make their homes a perfect target for criminals.

Some security mistakes include:

A) Poor lighting
B) Keeping overgrown trees and hedges which make it easy for an intruder to hide on one’s property
C) Leaving doors or windows open
D) Not maintaining a good relationship with neighbors who may protect your property when suspicious of changing routines

E) Failure to arm alarm systems when leaving the house, even for short periods of time
F) Leaving gates wide open thereby “inviting” intruders inside
G) Not being alert when entering or exiting one’s home
H) Labelling personal keys and hiding them outside the house

Lighting

One of the easiest and most cost effective means of security is to install lights around your front and back yard. Lights that come equipped with motion sensors provide added protection. A burglar may have second thoughts about breaking in if there is a spotlight on them.

Trimming trees and hedges

Shrubs and trees may give your house a picturesque appeal, but they also provide burglars with a convenient place to hide. Trim trees and plants close to your home and consider smaller flowers instead.

To continue reading, purchase Vol.9 #1, 2017 Issue.