Residential Security Checklist

Over the last year, we covered a range of suggestions for achieving and improving the state of your home security.  Whichever products or techniques you choose to utilize, you should take a look through this basic checklist annually to assess the effectiveness of your security plan:
 
1. Are you using all of your resources?
All too often, people don’t lock their doors, don’t replace smoke alarm batteries, or fail to replace broken locks. Even worse, some people buy security products and never get in the habit of using them at all. If you have it, you should be using it. Make sure all elements of your security plan are engaged and well maintained.
 
2. Is your security plan multi-faceted?
Security plans that rely on one feature or product can be easily beaten. Have multiple layers of security to protect your home in case one fails.
 
3. Does your home look occupied at all times?
An occupied home is a less attractive target for burglary than an unoccupied home. Your home should appear occupied during the day, night, and any time you are away. This could be as simple as some outdoor lighting or it might mean leaving a car out of the garage while you are at work. Make sure your routine has no lapses in the home appearing occupied.
 
4. Are your exits unobstructed?
There may come a time where your security plan fails and you need to evacuate. An evacuation scenario is not the time you want to realize that your back door is blocked by boxes or debris. Make sure that none of your exits have been neglected from underuse.
 
5. Test your plan.
Try to break in. We don’t mean throw a brick through the window or kick in your door, but try to get in without forced entry. Look for hiding spots on the property, test your windows and doors, try to find a way onto the roof, etc. Try to find a way around all of the security measures that your plan includes. If you as a homeowner (and not a professional cat burglar) can find any weak links, then the professional would be way ahead of you.