The police department of Dublin, Ohio (http://www.dublin.oh.us/police/crime/easytarget.php) calls at least 1,000 residents a year to inform them they left their garage doors open. This is particularly common during summer months when people do yard work and the kids are playing outside. Residents simply forget to make sure the garage is secure. And often, they forget to lock the doors leading from garages to their houses.
Problem? You bet. Garages are already vulnerable targets to thieves even when closed. They aren’t dead bolted like front doors usually are and many homes have doors connecting the garage to the house – which people often leave unlocked.
In fact, homes have many places that make a burglar’s job easy. Side gates are rarely locked and provide quick access to the backyard. From there, a burglar has time and privacy to find a vulnerable door or window to enter the house.
Similarly, fences aren’t always so high. If a cat can scale them – a limber and determined human probably can as well. And again, this gives thieves the time and privacy they need to do their work.
That brings us to back doors. Does your home have a glass sliding door In back? Not only do they allow in lots of light, but they are great to leave open with a screen in the summer to allow in a breeze. The only problem is that unless you install special bolting, the simple switch locks on sliding glass doors are very easy for a thief to get past.
What about French doors? Glass is easy to break. And if you’re a pet lover – unless your dog is a great guard dog, the doggie door is a crook’s best friend.
How strong are your window latches? Do they have bolts? Anything more than simple clasp lock to secure them? And what about upper windows? Never assume that the second story window isn’t accessible to a smart thief – especially if left unlocked.
What makes a burglar good at his job is thinking about the vulnerabilities you probably overlook. That’s where a home security system comes in. The professionals at a security system company are trained to look for the vulnerabilities thieves do.
A well planned security system can monitor all of your high risk entry points. Basic systems do what they say and cover the basics. But if you go for a more comprehensive security system, you can get rid of worries even in those second story windows.
Talk to reputable national companies like Guardian Protection Services (www.guardianprotection.com) about options for your home. Many of them, including Guardian, offer installation for only $99 – a small price to rid yourself of dangerous vulnerabilities.
Photo via Marianna Gomes
