The Way To Think Like a Burglar When Installing Your DIY Home Security System

Before you purchase a DIY home security system, give yourself a few minutes and think through the primary reasons why you'll be installing it. Here are the three main things that can keep burglars and intruders away from your property.

1. Make the burglary or intrusion as attention getting as you possibly can.
2. Make the effort to gain entry as complicated as possible.
3. Make the thief or intruder expend as much time as possible getting entry.

Bad guys hate attention. For this reason most burglaries and break ins that are performed to steal property are executed in the early hours of the morning, usually before 5 AM. Everybody is asleep and crooks want to be able to move about unobserved.

If it works in your own situation, pick a security system that has both indoor and outdoor sirens or high decibel alarms that go off if the system is activated. Some systems also provide the feature that they can turn on your house lights or outside lights if an intrusion is detected.

An additional feature that some systems offer that can cause additional distress for whoever attempts to enter your house or property is the cabability to announce messages over the system. These messages can say that the system is auto dialing law enforcement and they are being alerted. Anything you can do to attract attention to your property when the burglar alarm is activated is a good thing. Choose a system that will make as much noise as is possible.

The more difficult it is to gain entry the less probability you'll have of anyone giving it a try. Crooks do not want to be captured by the police and most make some effort to consider what risk they're taking before attempting a break in. A home security alarm is great to alert you and your family if somebody does break in, but making it difficult to gain entry to your property in the first place should be of primary concern.

Make sure all your doors and windows have secure locks. Deadbolt locks are much superior to standard door locks. Don't get into the habit of leaving any doors or windows open or unlocked when you are not at home. And don't forget that crooks would certainly prefer to get into the house where they are able to do so unobserved. Lots of people never leave home without locking their front door, but leave basement or second floor windows unlocked or open. It is really an open invitation to some professional burglar.

In case you have outside doors that aren't strong and solid, get them replaced with a good quality metal exterior door. Use deadbolt locks or other door security devices on all outside doors in addition to your walk in garage doors. Lightweight windows like those commonly found in the basement can be protected by the installation of security bars or grills that can keep any thief out.

Ask yourself how you would get into your house if you forgot your key. When you identify these areas change whatever is needed to make them more secure.

The more time that it requires for an intruder to break in, the less chance there is that they will concentrate on your home. Post visible warning signs at any point where a person could approach your home that will tell an intruder that you're guarded with a residential alarm system. Make sure these are visible to make certain that anyone who tries to break in will have to take extra time to try to figure out whether they can get by or disable the alarm.

If you think you or your property is at an increased risk from an intruder or burglar, leave bright outside lights on at night all the time. Don't scrimp on small 25 watt bulbs to save money. Leave on the brightest lighting you can at all doors and when possible other areas where a criminal might approach your home.

Cut down any hedges or bushes that hide basement windows or lower level windows. Do whatever you can to really make it time consuming and difficult for someone to approach your house unseen.

Contrary to popular opinion, professional burglars are not lazy or stupid. But they also don't wish to take more risk than necessary. If you decide to install a DIY home security system be sure you review your total situation. By taking the steps we've discussed, and doing anything you can so it will be risky and difficult for a burglar to gain entry, you will take away a lot of the chance that your home could be the target from a burglar or intruder. f

To learn more about getting the best residential alarm system for use in your home please feel free to visit our website. We can provide you with sources, tips and evaluations of current day ways to keep your family and property safe. And if you are renting or live in a dorm or shared housing we also have information about apartment alarm systems, door security devices and other wired and wireless security systems that will work out the best to suit your needs.