By Michael, on October 15th, 2012 
Making certain that your home is secure is one of the most important ways that you can protect your family. Even if you feel that you live in a safe neighborhood where crime simply doesn’t happen, you should take basic precautions to make sure that feeling of security remains. Don’t wait for something bad to happen before you take a few steps to safeguard your family.
Little Things Count
Many thieves gain entrance to a home through unlocked doors and windows. This applies both to the middle of the day and the night. Similarly, it’s important to not let trees and shrubberies grow unchecked in front of doors and windows. These provide screens for burglars to hide behind while they’re breaking in. Keep foliage trimmed back to make it obvious when someone’s trying to sneak in. It’s errors like these that leave your family vulnerable.
Be Aware of What’s In Your Garbage and Recycling
Thieves have no scruples about pawing through your trash and recycling. Anything in those bins might clue them in to what you have in the house or might enable them to steal your identity. Don’t put entire financial documents out at the curb. These should always be shredded and disposed of in separate receptacles. Also, be leery about putting out the box that your new flat screen television was delivered in. Putting this cardboard out at the curb for thieves to see tells them you have expensive electronics inside. Resist putting garbage and recycling at the curb on the night before pick up, as this gives thieves an opportunity to review what you’re throwing out.
The Kitchen as a Citadel
When a thief breaks into a home, the first room they head to is the master bedroom. They know that’s where they are likely to find cash, jewelry and small electronics. Other rooms they target include home offices and living rooms. The room they avoid is the kitchen. There’s little of value in there for them to steal and since most kitchens are located centrally in the house, it takes too much time for them to explore. Invest in some fake cereal boxes and soup cans to stash your valuables, then place them in the pantry to keep them safe.
Home Security System Signs
Some homeowners have taken to putting home security signs on their homes whether or not they actually have a security system. It’s actually an effective deterrent, but it’s important to place signs and window decals all around the house. Most people just put them on the front lawn and windows close to the front door. However, burglars tend to avoid the front of the house. Their entry of choice is in the rear, usually through a French or sliding glass door. Putting security signs and decals on the back of your house can be what really deters a thief from trying to get in.
Use Your Security System
If you’ve gone beyond simply placing signs and decals and actually have a security system, then make certain it’s turned on. This includes daylight hours when everyone’s away and nighttime hours when everyone is asleep. Don’t keep the alarm system off because everyone is home. Some thieves simply don’t care that people are in the house. An alarm system that is always turned off is a welcome mat to them.
Similarly, if your alarm system frequently malfunctions, summoning help or turning on alarms inadvertently, then get it fixed. Neighbors who are subjected to repeated false alarms from your security system tend to become deaf and blind in the event that there actually is an emergency. Once the system is fixed, tell your neighbors so that they’ll know your alarm signal is for real next time.
Travel Safely
When you’re out of town, don’t let newspapers and mail pile up. Have both services suspended while you’re gone or have a neighbor pick up deliveries. Don’t widely advertise your plans to be out of town in places like the salon and your kid’s soccer game. You never know who may be eavesdropping.
Author Bio
Rebecca Brown is an avid blogger for NQ Mobile on MarketWatch, keeping people protected when using their mobile devices. learn more about NQ Mobile on MarketWatch here.
