Update on Home and Personal Security

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

30 Jul 2009 06:31 AM

With the downturn in the economy home burglary and invasions have unfortunately increased. For this reason, you need to take extra precautions in protecting your home. Families.com has several articles on protecting your home and property, but with the increased danger in our communities, there are some new things you should consider.

A home security system is an important key to protecting your home. While most people use home security to protect the house when they leave or when they are sleeping, you should also use a security system during the day. An increasingly disturbing number of home break-ins are happening during the day when people are at home. Having your security system on and working will alert the police if you can't that someone has broken into your home.

In addition to using a home security system, it is important to ensure that your doors are burglar proof. These tips include having a solid door, a good strike plate, and secondary locks for sliding glass doors. Don't let shoddy lock or weak doors be an invitation to burglars.

Too often we also make the mistake opening our doors and letting the wrong people into our homes. This account shows what can happen to unsuspecting people and how easy it is to mistake a dangerous person as someone who is harmless. Never let someone you don't know and didn't call yourself into your home to do repairs. In fact, it is wise to turn away all solicitors who come to your door.

Speaking of solicitors, there are many people disguised as Christian charities who may not be trying to get into your door, but they do want your personal information. This information can be used to steal financial situation. They can not only collect your name, age, and other pertinent information, but they can also get into your mailbox and use all the information they have found to steal your money and ruin your finances. Just recently I closed my door in the face of three young men who tried to hand me a raffle ticket for a "prize" and ask for my personal information with pencil in hand ready to write it down. My kids and husband thought I was being especially mean, but there was something definitely shady about this situation, I know enough about fraud than the surrender my name, phone number, and other personal information for some mysterious gift.

In summation, be very careful about protecting your home from those that appear dangerous and especially those that seem harmless. Don't just concentrate on protecting your home when you are not there, but also when you return. Plus, in addition to your property, and bodily protection, pay attention to attempts to steal your financial information as well.

Going on vacation? Read: Before You Leave the House 1 and Before you leave the house 2 focuses on things you need to do before leaving or vacation.

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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