4 Ways to Prevent Theft

Many people believe that just because they live in a safe in a low crime neighborhood that crime will never arrive at their door step. These people remind themselves of the strong police force and neighborhood crime watch established to protect their family and belongings. What many of these people don’t know is that neighborhoods such as this one are perfect for crime. These neighborhoods demographically tend to be filled with people with trinkets and things that thieves would love to get their hands on. Let’s explore several measures we can take to protect ourselves from theft.

1. Lock up

Just because you live in the picture perfect neighborhood doesn’t mean that you live with picture perfect neighbors. Lock your doors. Lock your windows. Lock your cars. If a thief is on the prowl through this ideal neighborhood then their first and easiest targets will be homes and vehicles with unlocked doors. Unlocked doors provide an opportunity to steal without the risk of alarms or security systems going haywire and alerting both neighbors and police about the thief’s presence. Most of the time thieves will stay away from locked belongings, homes, and automobiles in the hope for easier targets.

2. Close up

Don’t leave doors, windows, and garages open. It wasn’t too long ago when I heard of a resident in my neighborhood that had a police officer knock on his door at sunset requesting that he close his garage door. The officer was simply trying to protect this resident from being an easy target for thieves. Just because you lock your doors doesn’t mean you should leave windows cracked or garages open. Closed windows, closed doors, and closed garages communicate to a potential thief that you take measures to protect your home and car.

3. Doggy Up

Have you ever seen the “beware of dog” signs on your neighbor’s home even though you know good and well that they don’t have a dog? This sign is a brilliant psychological play against the thief’s attempt to rob you. The thieves will more than likely assume you have a dog and most thieves want to steal from easy targets. If a thief does not want to deal with watching eyes, potential time in prison, and alarm systems then the last thing they want to deal with is a loud and aggressive dog impeding their efforts. It would be better if you had an actual dog to back this sign up but if you don’t have a dog then buy this sign and make it visible.

One of the greatest aspects of living in 2013 is that we have access to the best security systems that have ever been known to man. Security systems alert local officers of a break in and have numerous features that allow you to control how you protect your home. When I chose Smith Monitoring, a McKinney home security company I was impressed with the function that allows me to monitor activity around my house through their smart phone app. Smith installed a camera outside my home as well as a viewing panel inside my home so that I can always be aware of anyone approaching my home. Being able to watch my house at any time through my smart phone also gives me a great sense of peace when I’m away from home for any amount of time.

Author Bio: Ally is a writer, wife, youth mentor, and health nut. Follow her blogs for all the current trends on home, health, and family.