How to Make Your Home Crime Proof

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof

Contents
How to Recognize If Someone Is In Your House the Moment You Step Into the
Door .......................................................................................................................................... 3

Trusting Your Home Security Company ........................................................................ 5

Best Secrets to Making Your Home Crime-Proof ........................................................ 7

How to Make Your Windows Entry-Proof ..................................................................... 28

How to Place Subtle Clues That Will Tell You That Someone Has Been Into
Your Home While You Were Away ................................................................................. 29

Secret Hideout Places in Your Home If a Burglar Comes Into Your House and
You Need To Hide............................................................................................................... 30

Worst Mistakes When You Come Face To Face With a Burglar ............................. 31

Special Places to Start Your Relevant Documents and Identity Papers .............. 37

How to Avoid Being a Victim If You Are Surprised By a Criminal in Your Home
.................................................................................................................................................. 41

A Few Quick to Learn Self- Defense Techniques ...................................................... 46

Seniors Take Action to Ensure Personal Security ..................................................... 50

How to Insure the Valuables in Your House............................................................... 52

Common Sense Is Your Best Anti-Theft Device ......................................................... 54

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How to Recognize If Someone Is In Your House the Moment
You Step Into the Door

Have you ever came home and heard those mysterious creaking noises
or doors squeaking? It sounds like somebody is in your house who doesn't
belong here. Is there somebody, or is it in your imagination?

“According to the FBI, a burglary occurs somewhere in the United States

every 15.4 seconds.” by Chris E McGoey, CPP, CSP, CAM

What to do in this case to recognize if someone is in your house?

There are some basic steps:

 Take note of the current condition.

 When you came home, when your family/friends leave and there's
nobody left in the house but you, walk around and take note of every
little detail of what's in your house.
 Remember the position of the TV remote, the angle of the doors.
 Turn off all unused lights.
 The more things you can remember, the better you'll feel.

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 You'll know someone is in your house if something dramatically
changes.

Remember, if you hear strange noises from somewhere, just stay

where you are and try not to make an action. If possible, call the police
quickly.

Go do something quiet. If you do something loudly, you might hear

background noises, which creeps you out. Make sure your windows are
closed, and all doors are secure.

Make some noise. If you want to be "entirely" safe, when you're all alone,
make some noise to "show" that there is someone in the house.

Always keep a phone beside you! Remember, if you hear some serious
noises call the local police - or, if it's a real emergency, 911. They will assist
you as quickly as possible.

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Trusting Your Home Security Company

Your home security company should have enough people “to

provide you with the fastest response, because when an alarm is
triggered, fast response really matters.” by experts of ADT company

Do you trust the home security company who is responsible for the
security of you, your family and your possessions? If the answer is no, it is
time to seriously reevaluate your decision to continue employing this
company as your home security provider. Trust in your home security
company just cannot be underestimated. Your home security company holds
a significant amount of responsibility, and if your instincts are telling you
that they are not the right company for the job, it is time to begin an
intensive search for a new home security company.

How do you know if you can trust your home security company?
Relying on instincts alone is not the answer. It might be the driving force to
investigate your home security company, but it is usually not the sole factor
that prompts a change in security firms. A home security company that has
been around for quite some time and has relatively few consumer complaints
listed with the Better Business Bureau is likely to be trustworthy.

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Idealistically, you would have carefully investigated your home security
company before you chose them. However, if you did not do your research
beforehand, it is not too late to attempt to require some background
information on your current home security company. The Better Business
Bureau and consumer advocate groups can provide you with information
regarding the past performance of your home security company. In most
cases, past performance is a relatively accurate predictor of future
performance.

Why is trust so important when it comes to your home security system?

In most instances, it is critical that you trust your home security

company because they have the responsibility of protecting you, your family
and your possessions. It is very unlikely that a home security company will
divulge your personal information to someone who could harm or burglarize
you. If they make mistakes in the installation of your security system or
mishandle the monitoring of your security system, a home security company
can be responsible for a burglary that a more accountable company would
have thwarted. A security firm that you can trust will install your security
system properly, tests the system to ensure functionality and will do an
excellent job of maintaining your system and handling the monitoring of
your system.

It is critical to trust in your security company for the safety of your

home. Your home security company should do everything in their power to
ensure that you do not become the victim of a burglary. The diligence of
your home security system can be the difference between a burglar vacating
your property quickly when an alarm sounds or a burglar gaining access to
your home because the security system failed to detect his presence. If your
home security company cannot protect your home, it is time to look for a
new home security company. If you want to make your home crime-proof, I
will reveal to you the best secrets for your home security.

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Best Secrets to Making Your Home Crime-Proof

“Home security includes alarm systems, creating security zones within

the home, security lighting, reinforcing doorjambs, upgrading window
and door locks, as well as simple proactive security measures such as
keeping bushes, trees, and shrubs clear of windows and entrance doors.”

By residential security consultants of Entrepreneur

The Use of Light to Secure Your Home

Lights have long been known as a means of welcome family and

guests. Sailors were often welcomed home by finding that those who loved
them most left candles glowing in the windows. However, today we find
lights an important partner in staving off a criminal element from invading
our homes. It is remarkable how effective a well thought out lighting plan
can be in securing personal property.

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Confusion can be an ally in the security of your home.

A simple electronic timer can be an effective means of convincing

burglars that you are home. When lights turn on and off at various times, a
thief may come to believe that someone is in the home and entertain second
thoughts about the viability of a robbery attempt. Timers can also be used to
turn home entertainment centers on and off in your absence lending
credibility to the belief that there is someone inside the home. These timers
can be one of the most cost effective forms of the use of light to deter both
buddings as well as more experienced burglars.

Many homeowners have used dusk to dawn lighting as part of their

home security plan.

While this does provide a measure of protection, it may do little

actually to alert homeowners to any theft potential due to the light‘s steady
glow throughout the night. Unless a neighbor sees the intruder or someone
in your home is awake to monitor events, robbers may just approach the
home in the same manner they might under the cover of darkness.
Furthermore, a ‗dusk to dawn‘ system will also require more frequent bulb
replacement as well as an increase in associated energy costs.

For the outside of your home, we recommend an effective canvassing of

your property with motion sensing lighting.

In this set of circumstances, well-placed lighting activates when

movement is picked up by the light‘s sensors. Lights should be strategically
placed to cover all entrances to your home and should operate
independently of any other lights in your home. If these lights are well
positioned, they can make it through to for a burglar to slink onto your
property without appropriate detection. This type of lighting can temporarily
disorient the thief and provide you with an opportunity to get a good look at

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the offender without them being able to see you. It is important to remember
that lights such as these should be placed out of arms reach. When this tip is
not followed, burglars realize the lights may be easily destroyed on a
subsequent visit. Another satisfying feature of motion sensing lighting is its
ability to operate using much less electricity than traditional dusk to dawn
light.

Some homeowners have considered a unique blend of dusk to dawn

light and motion sensing technology.

In this scenario, outdoor lighting remains available consistently using

low wattage. It can provide a warm glow to your property. When motion-
sensing technology detects movement, the lights immediately switch to full
illumination. The effect combines both an esthetically pleasing night time
look to your home with an efficient theft deterrent.

Burglaries are an ongoing issue, and homeowners can provide the most
effective means of thwarting robbery attempts.

Usual suspects are primarily males under 25 years of age. They are
typically looking for easily portable items like jewelry, cash, guns and laptop
computers that can easily be sold. While force of entry can and is used in
many burglaries, the primary choice of a robber has easily accessed
properties. Three of the best deterrents we know of are proper lighting, lack
of ready accessibility to your home and security home systems or burglar
alarms. When these three are combined, burglars are more than willing to
avoid your home. You are no longer viewed as an easy target. Should your
neighborhood provide a united front by including these features in the
majority of homes, you will discover a more secure atmosphere for your
family.

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I know that lighting alone cannot prevent crime nor can it assure the
ultimate safety of your family, but statistics prove that a well-lit property
is an effective crime deterrent and is regularly used as a primary
component in comprehensive home security plans.

Trim the Hedges

Weed your garden and shovel your walk. I recommend you to maintain
your yard because if you don‘t it looks like you‘re not home and that‘s very
inviting. Also tall, overgrown shrubs make it easy for a thief to break in
without someone noticing them. A wild landscape provides cover to an
intruder and can make it easier for thieves to climb in, so keep your lawn
and garden tidy.

Fake a Daily Presence

You might be surprised at who is paying attention. The burglar could

be the paper boy, your currier or anyone. The thief can be familiar with all
the households and their routines. He can follow you and find out when the
family members are home and when they aren‘t—and if someone went out of
town; he can pick up on subtle cues. Foil similar burglars—have someone
pick up your mail and packages. You can also leave a radio or TV on the
inside, giving the impression that someone‘s at home—and awake. Or invest
in a remote switch on a system so you can control your lights or TV
throughout the day. Also, when you do leave on vacation, minimize the
amount of time your bags are visible on the curb.

Invest In Double-Glazed Windows

You see often barred windows in high-crime areas because all glass is
vulnerable. Anyone can break it. The burglars can simply crack a window. If
your windows are uncrackable small-time thieves are thwarted. Double-
glazed windows are an expense, but they also help to insulate your home

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more efficiently and cut down on street noise. Can‘t afford it? At least, keep
your windows locked. I will tell you more information about resistant glass
later in this book.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

“It used to be that the only way your security system could contact a
monitoring center was through a landline phone connection. Now, with
new technologies, you have several different options.” by specialists of
Safewise company

There‘s a lot of new technology out there. Today, home monitoring

systems can make it far easier to keep your property secure even when
you‘re out of town. Smart systems allow you to keep an eye on your home
remotely through a smartphone or tablet. Discourage intruders by using
home automation features that allow you to lock doors remotely or sound an
alarm and record video if your front door opens unexpectedly. With all the
recent advancement in technology, a home monitoring system is a great way
to deter intruders and keep an eye on your home while away.

Activate a Home Security Monitoring

Home security monitoring does not mean that there will be 24 hours a
day surveillance of your home to ensure that your home is protected from a
burglar. At least, it does not mean that in a literal sense but home security
monitoring does provide you and your family 24 hours a day protection from
burglars and in some cases, even fire. The level of protection that you
receive will depend on the complexity of your home security system and the
capabilities of the security provider you have chosen. The one thing in home
security monitoring that is relatively similar no matter which provider or
system you choose is the sequence of events that occur while the security

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system is in use. This book will provide a brief synopsis of how home
security monitoring works.

Just about every home security surveillance system is activated as the

first step in the process. Usually, the homeowner pushes a button or series
of buttons on the keypad to turn on the security system. It sends the
message that the security system should trigger if it is breached in any way.
Once this happens, the various components of the home security system are
activated. It may include access contacts, motion detectors, security cameras
and any other elements of the home security monitoring system. These
components remain activated until the homeowner returns home and
deactivates the home security monitoring system. Again, this is usually
accomplished by typing in a series of numbers in the keypad.

If there is a breach of security, the home security monitoring system

will begin a sequence of events. In most cases the first event, upon detecting
an intruder, is to sound a warning alarm. It is usually a low-level signal, and
the intent of sounding this alarm is to allow the homeowner the opportunity
to deactivate the alarm when they return home. The homeowner usually has

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30 seconds to deactivate the alarm before the home security alarm system
takes the next step.

If the alarm is not deactivated two things happen simultaneously in the

home security monitoring system. A loud alarm is sounded, and a message
is sent to the monitoring station that there has been a breach of safety in the
home security monitoring system. This message reaches personnel at a 24
hour per day monitoring station who respond to this message. The first
response is to contact the homeowner to determine whether or not the home
security monitoring system has been breached or it was a false alarm. If the
owner does not respond to the home security monitoring personnel and
supplies them with a security password, the staff will contact the local police
department and send them to your address.

Home security monitoring is a particular service that has a clear path

of action. Most home security monitoring companies react and proceed in a
very similar fashion when a security system in their network is breached.
While each home security monitoring company may have differences, they all
work in the same way.

Your Guide To Buying Security Cameras

Today‘s technology has made setting up security precautions such as

security cameras a cinch! You no longer need to be a millionaire to set up
one. You could even install one yourself! Security cameras provide a means
for its owner to watch over his or her property from the safety and
convenience of any area he chooses. This type of system is a significant
deterrent to thievery and unwanted entry. Most organizations that have
sensitive items or that are off limits to the general public employ these
cameras to help keep their places safe.

Purchasing and implementing such a system may save your business

from the terrors of illegal entry. Such an investment could save you a whole
lot of trouble.

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Before purchasing a system, you will want to consider the following

factors:

Your needs

Study your needs. The type of security measures installed will depend
on your particular security needs. For example how large is the area you
would like covered? How many cameras will it take to monitor this area? You
must make sure the security camera system you will purchase can
accommodate enough slots for expansion.

Do you need audio too? Some cameras systems have audio recording
equipment as well so you can not only see what happens but hear it as well.
It is important in cases when you would like everything documented.
However, this may be costly. Many establishments only require video records
of their security.

Also, you must ascertain whether you need to have your security
cameras record in color or black and white. Color cameras are, of course,

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more sophisticated and show a clearer picture. However, they tend to be
pricey. Color cameras might also not work in low-light situations.

Consider the location of the cameras. Will the location be hard to set
up a wiring system in? In that case, you may want to consider wireless
security camera systems. However, these cameras must be in a place that is
conducive to high-quality broadcast. There must be no interference. They
can, though, be moved to the area. They are a bit more flexible than their
fixed-wire cousins. If you install a wireless camera, anyone can triangulate
the signal and locate its position.

Will the camera system be for outdoor purposes? Cameras that

monitor outdoor locations need special weatherproof housings and may not
be recommended for extreme temperatures and various elements. Also,
those that may be vandalized must be protected against such.

Also, you must take into consideration the lighting for an area. If
your camera cannot record a scene due to bad light, you will end up with
blurred images that won‘t help in your surveillance activities. Choose a
security camera that has a good sensitivity to light. Also, try to illuminate
such areas as external lighting.

You must consider where the power sources will be located. Make
sure they are well protected from the elements and from tampering.

Find the available methods for recording the images. You may use a
variety of backup media. And with the advent of computer storage media,
even the use of hard disks, compact discs, and DVDs can prove to be an
inexpensive way to store your data.

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Installing a Security Camera System

Most home security cameras require little wiring, but installation

differs according to model. Here are the basic steps:

1. Survey the area to be monitored. Follow the instructions/manual that

comes with your security camera product. Install the camera at a
proper distance from the area to be surveyed. Cameras vary in the
distances from which they focus, so it would do well to pay notice to
such.
2. Secure the camera using proper mounts, etc. Make sure that if the
camera you are to install should not be moved, its placing should be
safe and tamper proof.
3. Connect the camera to the monitor according to the
manufacturer’s directions. Make sure the wiring is as hidden and as
secure as possible. It will make it harder for vandals and thieves from
damaging your wiring.
4. Fine tune your system. Make sure you optimize the images you
receive from the camera. Set a maintenance plan and fail clear intends
to employ in case your cameras break down.

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5. Organize an archival system according to your needs. Backing up
and recording your images are implemented here.

Covert Hidden Cameras Put the Sneak in Sneaking

Do you need the services of covert hidden cameras? Air purifiers,

boom boxes, books, clock radios and coffee mugs are just a few devices
that can contain covert hidden cameras. Computer speakers counter signs,
day planners, even desk lamps can all include covert hidden cameras, and no
one would be aware they are on film.

With a computer speaker, the secret hidden camera is inside the

working speaker and virtually undetectable. Does your office, home or
store have an acoustic drop ceiling? There is a speaker video camera that is
perfect for use in them. They contain a pinhole camera that looks straight
down, and that give you a seventy-degree field of vision and is ideal for use
in low light.

Another way to hide your covert hidden camera is by purchasing

one that looks like a DVD player. Once again it contains a pinhole camera
and has a range of up to three hundred feet. Who would ever guess that the
DVD player in your home or office is recording the people and movements
that are happening in that room?

Maybe you want a covert hidden camera to use strictly as a security

measure for your home. There is a flood light camera available that not only
is great day or night but is as easy to install as changing a light bulb.

Don‘t let your security needs tick away as the seconds on a clock. You
can get a covert hidden camera disguised as a beautiful mantel clock or a
clock radio. You have heard of clock watchers, well, now the clock can watch
you.

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Wireless Home Security Systems an Apt Answer to Home Security
Concerns

People employ various ways and means of enhancing their home

security, and wireless home security systems are often touted as one of the
best ways of implementing home security.

There is no denying the fact that all these traditional home security
measures are quite effective. However, wireless home security systems seem
to have an edge over these traditional home security measures.

The wireless security systems (e.g. Wireless camera security system)

have 6 main advantages over their wired counterparts:

1. Easy to install: The wireless home security systems are so easy to

install that you can install them all by yourself. There is no need for
getting outside help for installation/ configuration of a wireless
security system. This is an advantage because in such a case only you
would know the location of your wireless security cameras and the
security codes etc. On the other hand, most wired security systems are
quite a hassle owing to their inherent ‗wire-full‘ nature. Managing
these wires is quite a task in itself and in tackling those wires; you
often tend to lose focus from the actual task i.e. proper and intelligent
installation of a home security system. With wireless home security
systems, you just need to concentrate on your home security plan
without worrying about where you would run the wires from, etc.
2. Install anywhere: Since wireless security systems forego the use of
wires, you can install them anywhere you wish (as long as they are in
the range of their controller). It makes things very convenient. You can
install the wireless home security cameras in the bushes, on the
terrace or just about any point that you want to monitor. It is
something that you would not be able to achieve with a wired security
camera. Moreover, wireless home security also comes in camouflaged
forms e.g. wireless home security cameras pre-fitted (or pre-hidden) in
a lamp or a show piece, etc.

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3. Flexibility (in altering your home security plan): With a wireless
security system, you can easily alter your home security plan whenever
you want e.g. the location of outdoor wireless security cameras can be
easily changed in a hassle-free manner. On the contrary, a wired home
security system would have you thinking about the wiring plan and the
related hassle even before you can think of altering your home security
plan.
4. Cleaner look: One very distinctive advantage with wireless home
security systems is that they are not at all messy. While a wired
security system would have wires running all through your house
(unless you want to compromise on your home security), a wireless
security system (due to its inherent ‗wireless‘ nature) would give a
much cleaner look and without any compromises on the security of
your home.
5. Extra safe: Wireless security can also be considered safer than the
wired security. A wired security system can quickly become un-
operational if the wires get severed either due to lack of maintenance
or due to intentional tampering by burglars etc. However, wireless
home security is difficult to tamper with in that sense (sophisticated
thieves/burglars might still be able to tamper low-end wireless security
systems using devices that disrupt the wireless signals).
6. Ease of maintenance: A wired security system is as such bulky (since
the wires used for a wired security system also form part of the
security system). Maintaining a bulky system is generally tougher and
needs much more effort than a simple, less bulky one. The wires
might need replacements or re-anchoring or re-routing etc. In case you
go for a home improvement, your wired security systems might get
affected quite a bit. However, with wireless security all these problems
are non-existent and hence their maintenance is quite easy.

Wireless security is often treated as the most apt answer to the home
security concerns. However, the best thing to do is to use a combination of

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traditional home security techniques together with some of the wireless
home security systems.

How to Save Money When Buying a New Home Security System

I am sure that if you‘ve decided to purchase a home security system,

by now you must be utterly confused. The prices seem to vary a lot even
from the very same device. This guide complements our guide called ―How to
Choose the Right Home Security System‖ and will help you make the right
decision based on your needs.

If you are an average homeowner, then I strongly recommend

purchasing a security kit. They offer the basic protection against common
intruders as they have proved their effectiveness time and time again. In the
security systems industry, it is not the systems themselves that cost a lot but
rather the customization. Just like buying a ready-made bicycle, it is far
cheaper to buy it as it is than to select the individual components you want
the bicycle to have and have everything put together. Security kits excel in
providing a reliable standard for a do-it-yourselfer. Because these systems
involve the bundling of multiple systems, you can expect a hefty discount.
Who said that security must be expensive? The security kits demolish this
myth and allow do-it-yourselfers to install and have a quality home security
system.

There is another way of cutting back costs. I am introducing this

method in this guide precisely because at some time you will no doubt feel
attracted by it. I am talking here about the price leverage you will get from
choosing a lesser known brand (or no-name brand) instead of a more well-
known brand. This is not something I recommend. Those companies with
strong brands have invested heavily in building up their reputation through
well-made products. What you have here is a distinctive difference in quality.
So if you plan on buying a cheaper system from a no-name brand which
manufactures its products in South East Asia… I strongly advise against it. In

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the long-term you will realize that the money saved wasn‘t worth it. Why save
a couple of dollars only to have a false sense of security? It is far better to
invest a little extra now than to risk your home, the safety of your family as
well as your own when intruders break-in later.

But perhaps the single, most effective method of deciding what

security measures are appropriate and cost effective for your home or
business is to hire a security consultant. Believe me when I tell you that the
money spent on their services will actually help you cut down costs, either by
suggesting the right and appropriate security installations or by detailing the
weaknesses in the system. It is more than a low price that you should aim
for; your goal should be to obtain an adequate security system.

I hope that this guide to saving money on a home security system has
put you on the right track. Remember that you must strive to achieve a
balance of maximum benefits and protection while keeping the costs to a
minimum.

Tips on Buying an Effective Alarm System

Burglary is one of the most commonly committed crimes in the United

States. Most homeowners fear that their homes are at risk of being broken
into that they purchase insurance to protect them from losses due to
burglary and fires.

But more than the insurance to protect them from the losses, a more
important thing to consider is to install alarms to monitor and alert
authorities on unauthorized entry and in cases of fire.

No insurance company can recover the losses due to damaged or

stolen files, pictures, and items of sentimental value. Insurance companies
also cannot restore you the delay and the time lost due to the hassles in
filing a claim. It is because of this that alarm systems are as important, if not
more valuable, than insurance to one‘s home.

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In buying an alarm system, don‘t just purchase whatever is popular in

commerce. Consider your needs, the house structure, its wiring system and
other aspects of your household before deciding on what to install for your
house. Remember that what could have been useful for another house or
establishment may not be effective for yours.

Here are a few things to think about before going on buying one.

 How many entrances are going to be integrated into the alarm

system?

Consider the number of windows and doors in the house. It is

advisable that all windows and doors, even the smaller attic windows, should
be connected to the alarm system. The number of entrances determines the
complexity of the wirings, and it also determines where you should put
control centers to turn the alarm on or off.

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 Decide on the alarm system company to install the security
devices.

Consult a security system specialist, an insurance agency, the National

Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) or the police department for
recommendations.

Make sure that the company does a free survey and inspection. Ask for
the installer‘s recommendation, explanation for his assessment and the price
quote. Have it properly documented so you can compare it with the contract,
once you decided to avail of the services of the company.

You also have the option to buy a do-it-yourself alarm system,

although this may not be as reliable as a system installed by professionals. It
is usually the ―bells only‖ system where the homeowner is alerted by a sound
if unauthorized entry sets the alarm off.

 Should you subscribe to monitoring station?

An advanced alarm system can connect to 24-hour monitoring

company and alerts them if the system has recorded a breaking-in. The
monitoring company then alarms the local police. It is the best option
though an agreement with a monitoring company requires a monthly fee.

Another possibility, which is less expensive, is to install dialer

accessories that will be linked to your phone line. In case a break-in was
detected, the dialer can call several pre-programmed numbers such as your
cell phone number to inform you of the intruder. A problem that can occur
with this, however, is that if the burglar had cut off the phone lines before
the entry, the dialer accessories will be of no good.

 Decide on the sensors’ location and sensitivity.

It is very important if the people who live in the house getup at night
and roam around the house. Also, consider the presence of pets that can set
off the alarm system.

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If you have a motion sensor, make sure that it is installed in places
high enough not be disturbed by pets. You can also ask about motion
sensors that will not be triggered by pets. These sensors can identify the
size and the weight of the target.

If you have an infrared sensor, make sure it is properly located so it

wouldn‘t detect areas that have heat sources.

 Assess the proper location for the control panel and keypads.

Ideally, a keypad is near the front door for ease in turning the alarm
on/off when leaving the house or upon getting home. Another keypad may
be mounted near the bedrooms, to be a manual trigger, in case the alarm
system did not detect an entry.

 Check the possibility of home automation.

There are burglar alarm systems that can also be connected to carbon
monoxide and smoke sensors, flood detectors and the lighting system. This
may be helpful in turning on all the lights during emergencies.

 Type of controls

The controls should be easy to use so that the household members

can remember how to use it during emergencies. The switches should also
be properly protected to prevent damages from freezing when the climate
changes.

 Should you go wired or wireless?

The difference here depends on the complexity of the installation. A

wired system is complex and requires drilling holes into the walls. A wireless
system costs a little more than the wired system, but its installation is not
inconvenient.

With this information, you can be prepared when selecting what type
of alarm system will be needed for your home.

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof

Use Technology, But Not In Your

Disadvantage

 Consider who might be

connected to your connections.
 Never advertise your comings
and goings on social media—
most burglars said they‘ve used
social media platforms to target
likely properties.
 More than half said online
status updates clued them in to
who was home—and who
wasn‘t.
 First things first—turn off
location services on your
phone, which bad guys can (and do) use to figure out where you are.
 If you‘re on a fabulous vacation, wait till you‘re home to post the
photos to social media.

“Last summer, my house was robbed while I and my friend were in it! I
had come home from the school, and, as my parents were outside the city, I
invited my friend over for the weekend!

On this night, we had been out for a walk, and got home at about 8
pm! As we settled into playing online, I had seen something move outside my
room! I left the room to have a look. When I got outside the door, a strong,
muscular large hand grasped around my mouth, silencing me, as his other
guided me to the bedroom. As we got into it, he threw me onto my friend
knocking him over. Next he pulled out a knife. I recognized this man; he was
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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
25, tall and muscular. I had some mutual friends with him on Facebook! He
told us to sit back to back and lock arms. He tied our arms together, our
ankles together, our knees and also our upper bodies together.

He left the room, downstairs, he held a large role of wide red duct
tape, tearing off a piece, he bent down to my friend and smothered his lips,
before adding more tape. Next he came to me! I began begging him to stop;
my screams were muffled as I felt his fingers smother the tape over my
lower face, adding more each time. Then, he stole my PC! After, he
blindfolded us and left. We began struggling; we managed to stand up before
falling back down. We struggled all day and night to escape and only did
when my hand slipped free the next day.

I called the police and told then I knew who he was! My parents came
home immediately! He was caught and reprimanded and has a 12 month
sentence!! I've now stopped announcing to Facebook that I am home
alone.”

There are plenty of other things you can install in your home that
will help to stop a burglar from gaining entry – and many of them are
very simple and inexpensive.

Secure the possible points of entry

It means that doors should be made of durable, solid material

(definitely not plastic or glass), be properly secured to their hinges and have
tamper-resistant locks. Ideally, you should have an extra deadbolt that you
put on at night, made from unyielding metal.

Secure your garden

It is also important for your garden to be secure, as far more burglars

enter through the back of your house than the front. It means that your

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
fences should be high and have some anti-climbing measures (spikes or anti-
climb paint can work well). If you don‘t like fences, get big hedges instead.

Getting a Dog

It is surprisingly effective against burglars, who don‘t want to mess

with dogs if they can avoid it. For this strategy to be more efficient, you can
put up a ‗beware of the dog‘ sign. Smaller dogs are not so ideal for this
because they are not scary – something like a big German shepherd works
best, not only because of their size but because of their high guard instincts
that cause them to be hostile to strangers.

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
How to Make Your Windows Entry-Proof

Savvy homeowners are discovering they can open their home to safety
and a wealth of other benefits with the help of impact-resistant windows and
doors.

The same technology that helps protect a home from a hurricane can
also contribute to preventing a burglar from breaking in, significantly reduce
outdoor noise, block 99 percent of UV rays and cut energy costs.

The laminated glass in impact-resistant windows and doors is

incredibly difficult to penetrate, deterring smash-and-grab break-ins. The
products aren‘t guaranteed to stop a burglar, but they can be an essential
part of a multi-tiered security strategy recommended by experts.

Windows should be made from toughened glass, preferably double-

glazed so that they are almost impossible to break. Although window locks
are relatively uncommon, they help greatly with security, and you should
consider installing them.

If your house has windows in a position where they can be quickly and
discreetly accessed from the street, such as basement windows, you should
consider putting metal bars on them.

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How to Place Subtle Clues That Will Tell You That Someone
Has Been Into Your Home While You Were Away

It is an old fashioned method to recognize if someone has entered in

your home when you were away.

You can place some subtle clues to find out someone has stolen from
your house:

 Make some pictures of your house before you‘re going somewhere.

When you come back, you can compare the arrangement of things in
your home before and after you leave.
 You can put a small piece of cardboard on the doorjamb. If
someone opens the door, you will know because that piece of
cardboard will fall.
 Leave an empty jewelry box as a decoy for burglars. They will open
it, and they automatically will change its position. In this way, you will
realize that someone tampered with it.
 Do not remove the dust before you leave. In this way, you will find
unknown fingerprints or traces on your furniture. If you see this kind
of signs, you can even call the police.

Do not fret too much to leave who knows what clues because the
burglars will let a mess in your house. Certainly, you will notice if someone
broke into your house.

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Secret Hideout Places in Your Home If a Burglar Comes Into
Your House and You Need To Hide

I recommend you to store things in less obvious places.

Even if you do everything right, a burglar still can make it in, so keep
your stuff out of harm‘s way.

Don‘t keep jewelry in the master bedroom. Burglars want to get out
quick, so if they don‘t find what they‘re looking for in the first 10 minutes,
they‘ll leave rather than search.

You can find your secret places in your house where you can store the
most valuable jewelry safely.

Some places I recommend are:

 Safe-deposit box
 Wardrobe
 Nightstand
 In a box in/on the closet
 Hidden in a drawer

There are multiple places where you can hide your precious things.

And remember, even you‘re in a respectable neighborhood where the

robberies aren‘t existent or are very rare; don‘t leave your house keys near
the doorway! More than half of those surveyed said homeowners practically
invited them inside, leaving their keys easily accessible.

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Worst Mistakes When You Come Face To Face With a Burglar

“To avoid becoming a burglary victim, it is important to first gain an

understanding of who commits them and why.

The majority of home and apartment burglaries occur during the

daytime when most people are away at work or school. The summer
months of July and August have the most burglaries with February
having the fewest crimes.” by Chris E McGoey, CPP, CSP, CAM

Burglaries do not like confrontations with the owner of the property

and only wants to steal the object itself, and prefers to wait until nobody is
at home.

The Biggest Mistakes Burglar Victims Make

1. Thinking it can’t happen to you.

Many victims have potentially fatal attitude that it could never happen
to them for any number of wrong reasons:

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
 They are very nice and quiet high end neighborhood just doesn‘t
subscribe to such things as thefts.
 It only happens in ‗bad‘ areas.
 The police will prevent it completely because of the higher property
taxes they pay and all the nice new ‗crime prevention‘ equipment they
have

Any number of blithely air-headed notions invariably lulls the ideal

victim into a false sense of security and complacency, which may amount to
pronouncing your own death sentence for your own ‗crime‘ of apathetic
disregard of reality.

You should rely on common sense.

Why wouldn‘t burglars target homes in a ‗good neighborhood‘? That‘s

where the ‗money‘ is? But don‘t think that average neighborhoods, and even
lower end inner city areas are immune. With more people not keeping their
cash in banks anymore because of no interest gains and potential economic
crashes, I predict that burglaries crimes will be increasing everywhere.

Maybe even more, in a lower income neighborhood where most don‘t

have sophisticated anti-theft alarm systems. Think of the ‗likelihood odds‘
like this. Thefts are an evil form of lottery. Anybody, anywhere has about the
same chance to win, or rather ‗Lose‘ and everybody living in society
automatically buys a ticket.

2. Opening the door for the criminals.

 Never open the door for anybody you don‘t know.
 Even if is a person in a police uniform, unless you see the actual police
patrol car out front.
 And not even for someone you think you know, or appear to be
harmless… like a young child.

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Acute situational awareness is not a natural state of mind. So it must
be developed, and intentionally re-enforced until it is a habit.

Thefts will always prefer the ‗easy‘ targets and breaking doesn‘t always
mean that they have to smash and break in to get in. Every ploy and disguise
known to man has been used to access a secured premise from pizza
deliveries to ‘lost‘ children, to UPS deliveries, to Utility workers knocking to
notify you of a ‘gas leak‘!

You’ll never regret being overly cautious with strangers coming to

your door.

In the case of stressful instant decision making like an ‗apparently‘

valid accident victim knocking and begging for help, look out your window
and if you don‘t see the car crashed anywhere down the street, you simply
can‘t ignore that information: why is she way over here on my house instead
of a block down knocking on a closer to the crash site house? Don‘t open the
door. Even if there appears to be blood on the person‘s face. Fake blood is
easy to get at any novelty outlet.

For this type of stuff the only assured safe response is to not open the
door and immediately dial 911. That‘s the best thing to do even if it is a
legitimate emergency.

If the person persists at your door, you might try yelling out through
the closed door that you called the police and ‗they‘ll be right there to help
you.‘

If it‘s somebody suspicious like a pizza you didn‘t order or something

apparently just an innocuous mistake, another tactic is to say something like
―my son‘s a police officer and I‘ll get him and you can talk to him‖ then dial
911. If it‘s a theft he/she will likely leave.

In anything like this you should already have your pistol on you after
you call 911 just in case the theft tries a psycho break-in. Daylight thefts can

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
involve a ‘team‘ effort and one of them might be posted at other entrances
or exists.

While you‘re waiting for police just situate yourself obliquely to the
area where the burglar would first appear, preferably behind a piece of
furniture for some cover, and if the theft breaks through the door or window,
open fire on them as soon as they are in.

Don‘t think you can open the door as long as you have your gun in
hand because intruders can move fast. They can burst in and knock you
down and take your gun in less than one second.

Make sure you still call 911 first. The dispatcher should easily be able
to connect to the cops knocking at your door for verification. If they can‘t,
have them send a squad car to investigate.

If you didn‘t have a good anti-intrusion system and come home to

find a door or a window broken into and instead of backing away and dialing
911 you make the mistake of trying to go in to see what happened and come
face to face with the burglar(s). You might have made the last tactical
mistake of your life.

Don‘t go in even if you are armed. Back away, get back in your car and
call the police, and wait for them.

React similarly with someone suddenly appearing in your back yard.

Try to quickly back in your house if you didn‘t have a gun on you. If you have
one, you could pull it and order the stranger to freeze and drop to his knees.

Sometimes the thieves will actually ‗hide in the bushes‘ for a type of
surprise ambush attack on a homeowner when coming in or out. Especially if
they know the times of daily routines from previously chasing out the target.
Ambushes are always hard to defeat.

Your particular house style and landscape arrangement is important

here if you worry about it. You could also put cheap wireless motion
detecting devices in vulnerable places to alert you in advance if someone is

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
moving around there. Acute awareness and planned reaction will go a long
way to change all the dynamics.

3. Having the wrong strategy.

If you‘re a trained gunfighter or police officer and have very good anti-
theft sensors/alarms to alert you in advance that somebody is starting to
break in or just entered the immediate ‗forbidden‘ proximity of your house,
it‘s very low odds that the home burglars would be successful in their
attempt.

The problem is that most of us are amateurs whose experience

amounts to nothing more than what you learned from the action movies.

The reality is that if your initial perimeter egress fortifications were not
optimized and dangerous theft are already inside your home and you are not
yet being directly confronted and attacked, your best option should be to get
out of the house, while you still can.

 Quickly dashing out a door or a window and down the street

screaming is a much better option, even with gun in hand, as you can
shoot back suppressing fire to keep them from catching you to make
your escape. Obviously this is difficult to do in a 6th floor apartment.
 People in high rises with no options for escaping should consider
serious anti-intrusion counter-force systems and/or safe rooms with
dedicated communications to call police.

Also, some people can‘t afford even a decent tactical firearms training
and practice to better the odds of survival. They can just learn basic safety
and handling skills.

Senior citizens are a prime target for home invasions yet many of them
are not healthy enough to enable to maximize their physical capabilities
enough even with some training or knowledge of firearms for effective
confrontational scenarios against pumped up physically superior predators.

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What if you‘re an elderly couple or single person with health issues
living alone on a minimalist budget? So what‘s the single best solution for
them? Do they even have a chance?

They‘ll start by boiling down the home rubbery to its most basic
physical movements and deal with the least complicated universal counter
measures to prevent the home invasion from even happening to begin with.
This ultimately turns out to be the least expensive and almost the most
effective defense tactic of all to stop theft before they start.

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
Special Places to Start Your Relevant Documents and Identity
Papers

A basic locking cabinet can secure valuable papers or personal items,

but it will not protect them from theft or fire damage. Only safes can provide
a superior level of protection for documents, jewelry, guns and personal
items. Computer data would be difficult or impossible to duplicate if lost.
Home and business security systems require the addition of security safes to
eliminate the possibility of data and document loss due to fire and climate
disruptions.

The proliferation of home robberies is classified as ―snatch and grab.‖

The intruder invests approximately 3-5 minutes within the home. The very
presence of a home security safe is a deterrent to such robberies. Any
additional time invested in the home increases the odds of apprehension.
Theft prevention and climate control management have rendered security
safes a requirement for any home, office or business. The needed security

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
afforded by home and business safes completes any existing security
monitoring system. Home security safes offer protection of personal
documents, jewelry, and irreplaceable items. Home safes are a major
deterrent from robbery and provide needed protection from fire and climate
changes. Advance Safes offer an extensive inventory of wall safes, floor
safes, fire safes, gun safes, and electronic digital safes. Home safes are a
perfect complement to any home security system.

The fire could destroy your business! In fact, eight companies burn
almost every hour in the U.S. resulting in over 2.3 billion dollars in annual
losses. Unfortunately, seven out of ten businesses have not adequately
protected their vital records. When that information is destroyed a business
often fails. Don‘t become a company that incurs fire damage resulting in
critical loss of data (customer, personnel, accounting files, etc.) by not
utilizing quality fire and data media safes. Survival is possible, but
preparation is necessary.

The Combination Lock

A combination lock is a type of lock in which a sequence of numbers

or symbols is used to open the lock. The sequence is usually a particular
permutation rather than an appropriate combination. The sequence may be
entered using a single rotating dial which interacts with several discs or
cams, or by using a set of several rotating discs with inscribed numerals
which directly interact with the locking mechanism.

Multiple-dial locks

One of the simplest types of the combination lock, often used in low-
security situations is the bicycle lock, which uses several rotating discs with
notches cut into them. A pin secures the lock with several teeth on it which
hook into the rotating discs. When the notches in the discs align with the
teeth on the pin, the lock can be opened. This lock is considered to be one
of the least secure types of the combination lock.

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
Opening a multiple-dial lock without the combination depends on the
slight irregularities in the machining of the parts. Unless the bolt is
machined precisely, when the pin is pulled outward, one of the teeth will pull
more strongly than the others on its corresponding disc. This disc is then
rotated until a slight click is heard, indicating that the tooth has settled into
the notch. The procedure is repeated for the remaining discs, resulting in an
open lock, and a correct combination, in very little time.

Single-dial locks

Combination locks found on padlocks or safes may use a single dial

which interacts with several parallel discs or cams. Customarily, a lock of this
type is opened by rotating the dial clockwise to the first numeral,
counterclockwise to the second, and so on in an alternating fashion until the
last numeral is reached. The cams typically have an indentation or notch, and
when the correct combination is entered, the notches align, allowing the
latch to fit into them and open the lock.

Combination locks of this type are generally more secure than the
multiple-dial lock, but some of them do have weaknesses. For example, early
combination padlocks made by Master lock could be cracked by pulling on
the shackle of the lock and turning the dial until it stopped; each numeral in
the combination could be revealed in this manner.

More recent models of Master padlock with a 40-position dial have a

mechanical weakness that can give away the last numeral in the
combination, and the first two numerals have a mathematical relationship
with the last number. This gap reduces the number of possible combinations
from 64,000 to a mere 100, which can be tried in a relatively short amount
of time.

Inexpensive padlocks are often susceptible to the use of a padlock

shim, which can be used to release the shackle without entering a
combination.

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Other designs

Many doors use combination locks which require the user to enter a
numeric sequence on a keypad to facilitate entry. These special locks usually
require the additional use of electronic circuitry.

The main advantage of this system is that if used on the door of a

large office, each employee can be told the code number without having to
supply a key to each person.

The disadvantage, however, is if the code number is discovered by

someone outside the desired group or is not changed regularly; it could
allow easy access to a potential intruder.

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
How to Avoid Being a Victim If You Are Surprised By a
Criminal in Your Home

Waking up to the sound of an intruder in your home, or even worse, to

a shadowy figure in your bedroom has got to rank among your worst
nightmares. As terrifying as it will be if you ever find yourself in this
situation, there are some things that you can do to prepare yourself in
advance and some steps you can take during the invasion to increase your
safety.

Hiding from an Intruder

Avoid searching for an intruder. We've all seen movies where the
homeowner grabs a bat and sneaks through the house searching for an
intruder. It's best, though, to avoid confrontation with the intruder if at all
possible.

 An intruder can react violently, so instead of searching for the

intruder, you should first try to escape or hide.

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 Come up with a simple code word that your family will recognize in an
emergency. If you need to warn your family members about an
invasion, it's a very good idea to have a code worked out in advance.
You can shout this simple word or phrase, such as ―ESCAPE!‖ to put
them on the alert so that they can escape or run to a safe place.

Designate a safe room. If you're not able to get out of the house, having
a designated safe room (or even closet) can be a good idea.

 If at all possible, try to make your way to this safe place if you hear an
intruder in your home.
 Make sure your safe room locks from the inside. Whether your safe
room is your bedroom or a separate room in the house, you want to
make sure that it has a stable door which locks from the inside and
which can be quickly and easily barricaded.
 Consider installing a deadbolt on your bedroom door and/or the safe
room for extra security.

Have your safe room stocked in advance?

The most important item to have in your safe room is a working,

charged phone so that you can contact the police. Ideally, this will not be a
land-line, which could be cut, and would instead be a cell phone.

 Stock your safe room with things you can use as a weapon in case the
intruder makes it in and you are forced to defend yourself, such as a
bat. We'll have more to say in later steps about keeping more
dangerous weapons such as knives and guns in your safe room.
 You may also want to consider having food, water, and first aid
supplies in your safe room.

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Turn out the lights and remain as silent as possible. You don't want
to alert the intruder to your presence if at all possible, so make sure that all
lights in the room are turned off.

Avoid calling out to the intruder. You may be tempted to yell ―We've
called the police!‖ to make the intruder panic and leave as quickly as
possible. It isn't a good idea, though—it will give away your hiding place.

 If, however, the intruder tries to break into the room where you're
hiding, and then it may be a good idea to yell ―We've called police—
they're on their way!‖
 Use the plural ―we‖ when you call out, even if you're alone. If the
intruder thinks that there is more than one of you, he may panic and
leave.

Call emergency services as quickly as possible. Once you are

secure, call for help immediately. Be sure to provide the dispatcher with as
many details as possible.

 For example, ―My name is Sam Smith, and I live at 111 River Road. I
hear two intruders in my home. I'm hiding in the upstairs back
bedroom, and I think they are still downstairs in the living room.‖
 Try to keep the line with the dispatcher open so that they can listen in,
provide you with updates on the progress of the police, and help keep
you calm.

Choose your position in the safe room strategically. If the intruder

tries to break into the room where you are hiding, you're going to have to be
prepared. Experts recommend that you stand in a corner that is on the
opposite side of the door. Have your family members stand behind you.

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 This way, if the intruder breaks into the room, you'll be able to see
them before they see you, and you can quickly assess the situation to
see if you need to fight (or shoot, if you are armed with a gun).

Remain in your safe room until the police arrive. Even if you are sure
that the intruder has left, it's best for you to stay put until the police arrive to
secure your home.

 Continue to stay on the line with the emergency services dispatcher

until you are told that the police have come and until the police
announce themselves outside your door.

Make sure your entire house is checked by the police. Especially if the
police don't catch the suspect, you should ask them to check your house and
property thoroughly.

Consider staying with a friend or neighbor for the rest of the evening.
Even if the police have assured you that your house is safe, you may feel
more comfortable spending the night elsewhere.

 It's also a good idea to try to determine how the intruder got into your
home: was a lock picked or a window broken? You may need to have
repairs completed, and/or locks changed before you'll feel safe
sleeping in your home again.

Handling an Intruder When You Can't Hide

Set off your car alarm. While you probably sleep with your phone next
you, you may never have thought of bringing your car keys to bed. If you
hear an intruder (either in the house or the room with you), press the alarm
button for your vehicle. There's a good chance that the thief will take off.

Keep your distance from the intruder. If the thief makes it into your
room and you're already up, try to stay as far away as possible.

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 Be on the lookout for ways to escape, and do your best to remain calm
and cooperative. You should avoid confrontation and violent reactions
if at all possible.

Choose a strategic stance. Place your hands at shoulder level, which

the intruder may interpret as being submissive, but which puts you in a good
position for self-defense.

Try to cooperate with the intruder. If you can't see an immediate

route for escape, it is important to seek to remain calm, and it's usually best
to cooperate with the intruder.

 You may eventually be forced to defend yourself, but at least initially,

you'll have a greater chance of surviving if you do what you're asked.

Know how to answer the phone if you have an alarm system. If you
haven't been able to call the police before an intruder makes it into your
home, and if you have a home alarm system, you may receive a phone call
from the company.

 If the intruder is in the room and wants or allows you to answer (they
may know that if you don't pick up, the police will be sent), you should
have a distress code phrase prearranged with the security company.
 When you say the code words, they'll know that you're in trouble. For
example, you could say ―Mom, I'll call you in the morning.‖

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A Few Quick to Learn Self- Defense Techniques

Fighting an Intruder

Decide whether to use pepper-spray. You should use pepper-spray

on an intruder only if you were able to escape after doing so.

 The fumes can be overwhelming, and you don't want to be trapped in

a room with them.

Aim to incapacitate. While it's recommended that you try to escape or

cooperate with an intruder, you may be forced to defend yourself. If you
need to fight, you should fight to incapacitate the intruder so that you can
escape.

 Aim for the groin, neck, face (eyes, nose, mouth) or knees.
 Where you should hit the attacker will depend on where the intruder is
positioned near you. If he's not standing right next to you, for
example, then try to kick his knees (hard and fast), rather than moving
closer to strike him in the neck.

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Inflict damage with your hands. Hold your dominant hand open and
flat, with your fingers straight and close together, and your thumb out. Then
forcefully jab your hand into the intruder's neck.

 You may also be able to incapacitate the intruder by making a forceful

upward thrust with the heel of your palm into his nose.

Use your elbows. You may also be able to throw your elbow up into
the intruder's neck, face, groin, or even stomach.

 Use your leverage, and throw your body weight into it.

Use everyday objects as weapons. While you can attempt to gouge

your attacker's eyes or nose with your hands, scan the room quickly to see if
you can use something else as a weapon. For example, it's a good idea to
keep a pen or your car keys near your bed.

 If you're woken before you can make it to your safe room or grab
another more suitable weapon, you may still be able to inflict serious
damage with these items.

Run as soon as you are able to. While you may be forced into a
physical confrontation with the intruder, take the first opportunity to flee.
Make as much noise as possible, in the hopes that you'll alert a neighbor or a
passerby to your situation.

Defending Yourself with Deadly Weapons

Learn about the law in your state. You may conflict about whether or
not it's a good idea to keep a gun in your home. There are of course safety

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concerns about keeping weapons in a house with children, but you may also
be worried about what will happen to you if you shoot an intruder.

 In most cases, the law will protect you if you shoot an intruder.

Shoot if you believe you or a family member are in danger. Even

though you will be protected by the law for shooting an intruder, you
generally must reasonably believe that you are in danger, and you must
respond proportionately.

 It means that if the intruder is threatening you with a piece of fruit, for
example, and you know it's a piece of fruit; you could face charges for
stabbing or shooting the intruder.

Learn if you're required to try to escape. In some states, you are

required to at least attempt to retreat from the dangerous situation before
you can legally respond with force.

Learn if your state has a “Stand Your Ground” law. While the law or
statute might be called something else, many countries have laws which do
not require you to retreat (or attempt to). Instead, you are legally permitted
to claim self-defense and respond with force.

 Even in these states, you aren't allowed to attack without reasonable

cause. So, be careful. If you can, it helps to research what laws and
statutes apply where you live.

Learn if “Castle Doctrines” apply in your state. Generally speaking,

if you live in such a state, you're legally permitted to use lethal force upon
anyone who unlawfully enters your home, without needing first to determine
whether and how much of a threat they pose to you.

 Again, it's always a good idea to learn what laws apply in your state,
and how the specifics vary.

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Keep your guns in a safe, secure place. If you do feel safer with guns
in your home, it's important that they are securely locked (ideally in a gun
safe) and not just hidden.

 This is all the more important if you have children: even if you think
that you've hidden your guns and ammunition where they'll never find
it, it is nearly guaranteed that they will discover your hiding places.

Store your guns and ammunition separately. It's recommended that

you keep the weapons in your home unloaded and that you store your guns
and ammunition separately. You should of course be able to access both
quickly in an emergency.

 Consider storing them in your safe room, but be sure to keep the keys
to where children cannot find them.

Consider using a gun lock. You can purchase gun-locking devices

which will render a weapon inoperable when not in use. Make sure that you
know how to disable the lock quickly, but know that using one can be a good
idea if you have children or teenagers in the home.

Identify that there is an intruder before shooting. To avoid tragic

accidents, it's important that you try to keep a cool head when you think
there is an intruder in the home. Account for your spouse, partner, and/or
other family members before shooting blindly.

 While the police should identify themselves if they enter your home,
try to take a quick moment before shooting if someone breaks into
your room. It could be an intruder, in which case it's important that
you protect yourself, but you don't want to shoot an officer
accidentally.

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Seniors Take Action to Ensure Personal Security

Many older Americans are taking steps to help secure their personal
safety and security, especially as they balance the desire for independence
with the challenges of declining health.

The good news is that crime rates affecting older Americans are lower
than they may seem. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that the number
of violent crimes has decreased during the last decade.

The even better news is that, by taking a few simple safety

precautions, seniors can reduce their risk and increase their sense of
security in their daily lives.

 Check door locks. Replace any nonfunctioning or poorly installed

locks. Make sure that your garage is equipped with a sturdy lock as
well.
 Install exterior lighting. A well-lit home can deter nighttime break-
ins.
 Make your house look occupied. When you‘re out of town, use light
timers to mimic your usual routine. Cancel newspaper and mail
delivery, so that papers don‘t pile up outside.

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 Know your neighbors. Keep neighbors‘ phone numbers near your
phone with emergency information. Inform neighbors of your travel
plans and any scheduled deliveries or home maintenance
appointments.
 Install an alarm. Security companies offer a broad range of alarm
options, including systems that provide medical alert services.
 Stay safe on the street. Always walk in well-lit areas. Ask a friend to
accompany you or tell someone where you‘re going.
 Neighborhood involvement is another key to deterring crime on a
street or block. Seniors who want to protect their homes and help raise
awareness in the community can join neighborhood watch groups.

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
How to Insure the Valuables in Your House

Most of your valuable personal possessions are likely to be in your

home, and it is important to invest in an insurance policy to protect those
items from damage, theft, or loss. While many average homeowners‘
insurance policies cover some items, it is likely that you will have to
purchase a specialized policy that explicitly includes all of your contents.

When reviewing different options for coverage, always do a

comprehensive review of how well your belongings are protected, as well as
policies for accidental damage or loss. It is crucial to read the fine print in
your insurance policy since you will have to itemize valuable items to justify
claims against the insurance. Many insurance companies require full
documentation of ownership, as well as an appraisal and photographic
evidence to actively apply these valuables to the policy.

If you have a unique set of collectibles, antique furniture, high-value or

antique jewelry, or electronic equipment in your home, investing in an
extended high-value policy can provide additional protection against theft or

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damage. Items such as fine art and jewelry can be difficult to replace, which
makes a comprehensive insurance policy even more essential.

Another factor to consider is whether your policy covers items in

transit. If you frequently travel, and take valuable items such as jewelry with
you, check the fine print of your policy to determine the extent of worldwide
coverage as well. The details of your individual policy can make the
difference between successfully protecting your assets and being left out in
the cold when the unexpected strikes.

Home insurance policies differ widely on definitions of coverage,

making it necessary to review the contract with a legal professional in case
of any uncertainties. Look at what is covered in a case of accidental damage,
including sewer pipes and flooding, theft of house keys, and coverage for
emergency repairs. When taking steps to protect your assets, time is of the
essence and having a comprehensive insurance policy will enable you to act
quickly to restore your assets.

As a baseline review of multiple offers, make sure that the firm in

question is fully licensed by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and has
sufficient assets to provide catastrophic coverage for losses. Selectively
investing in an insurance policy can help protect your assets against
unexpected losses, and carefully evaluating multiple insurance providers is
the best way to ensure you are getting an affordable, reliable offer. The
United States provides regulations to ensure consumers are treated fairly by
insurance companies and working with a reputable provider ensures
applicable laws cover you in due course.

Investing in a proper insurance policy to safeguard your household

valuables can help protect your assets well into the future. Take time to
evaluate fully the details of your homeowner policy to select an option that
provides comprehensive, affordable protection that covers all of your
valuables.

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 How to Make Your Home Crime Proof
Common Sense Is Your Best Anti-Theft Device

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance

ever observes.” By Sherlock Holmes

Just like other crimes, a burglary can be an entirely random event.

However, when it‘s planned, there are certain things a burglar will look for
when staking out a possible break-in, and there are steps the homeowner
can take to minimize this risk.

This is a useful checklist that you should use before leaving your home
empty or for beefing up your protection against theft:

 Study your house from the street, and look for any valuables that may
be visible from the street. Don‘t give thieves a reason to show up.
 Before leaving for any length of time, ensure that all windows and
doors are locked, including the door to your garage. Many home
invasion robberies come through garage doors and inner doors to the
houses. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and
reinforced strike plate.
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 Place a piece of wood or metal on the track of any sliding doors to
prevent opening.
 Don‘t leave your house in darkness when you‘re away, create a sense
of activity by using timers on lights, radios and televisions.
 Install low-voltage lighting outdoors to keep your surrounding yard
well lit. Install motion detectors in dark areas along the sides and back
of the house to alert you of any intruders.
 Suspend your newspaper delivery while you‘re away and ask your
neighbor to collect your mail. You may even ask them to park in your
driveway while you‘re away.
 Never leave a message on your answering machine that says you‘re on
vacation.
 Keep any shrubbery near your walkway or entrance trimmed; removing
any possible hiding places. Think about planting cactus or rosebushes
under windows that may be especially vulnerable.
 Advise your neighborhood watch that you‘ll be away.
 Ensure your security system is activated when you leave.
 Etch your name on all electronic equipment to serve as a deterrent as
well as assisting police in the recovery your property. It‘s harder to sell
stolen goods that have the owners name on it. Make a video tape of
your possessions and record the serial numbers.
 Get a safe, not just for your jewels, but for necessary paperwork as
well. Identity theft is a crime that‘s on the rise, and you want to
minimize any availability to your personal records.

The more you can do to deter an intruder, the better your chances are
that your home will not be chosen as a target. Studies have shown that if it
takes a burglar more than four or five minutes to break into a home, they‘ll
move on. If you increase their vulnerability by adding a well-lit area or a
barking dog, that minimizes your risk again.

It is unnerving to know anyone unwanted wants to enter in your home.

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The signs your home is being chased may be subtle and require you to
be as observant as possible. Here are four signs your home may be targeted
by a potential burglar.

 Strange Vehicle on the Street

An unknown vehicle parked outside your home could be a warning

sign. Look for vehicles that seem to be lingering in the area for no apparent
reason. It could be an indication that someone is trying to learn your routine
and determine the best time to strike.

 Stranger Walking the Street

If you spot someone who is walking slowly, intently observing his

surroundings and showing an inappropriate amount of interest in your
house, he may be chasing your home, looking for vulnerabilities.

 A Request for Help

If a stranger comes to your door asking to use the phone, your

bathroom or asks for a glass of water, make sure they do not have
unrestricted access to your home.

 Work was recently done at Your Home

Burglars can have a job that gives them access to people‘s homes.
They may be a handyman, landscaper or door-to-door salesman. Whatever
their occupation, it gives them access to a variety of homes and helps them
determine the best possible targets.

If one of these individuals randomly shows up at your house again,

uninvited and with no discernible reason, there is a good chance they
returned believing you were not home. While they will likely be quick to leave
once they realize their plans were foiled by your presence, you should call
the police and report the encounter as suspicious activity.

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While there is no way to completely prevent all break-ins, being
observant can help you know when your house is being targeted and help
you take steps to avoid the worst.

Keep your home secure with a monitored security system to help

you protect against anyone who thinks they should try to break in your
home.

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