How to Stop Thieves

If you want to stop thieves from getting into your house, lock all doors and windows! Does it sound simplistic? Well, that's the truth! People have a habit of spending a fortune on exceptional security locks and just leave them unlocked. Did you know that most residential burglaries are reported as non-force entries? This means that people just trust their neighbors, the milkman and the people/cars passing by and they decide to leave their doors unlocked. So, the first step to keep perpetrators out is to lock up.

If you want to stop a thief, think like a thief

To catch professional criminals try to understand the criminal mind, so perhaps it's time for you to follow these steps and check out your house as if you were a potential thief.

• You just have to check the door locks from outside and try to see whether you can open them.
• Can you reach the windows? Check if they are usually open and whether they have simple latches and need new lock installation.
• If you have sliding doors, see if you can open them by putting some force.
• Check the garage door. Does it lock? Is it locked? Does it close to the floor?
• Try to put some force on your front and back door. Are they durable or ready to collapse if you simply kick them with extra force?

A good locksmith will always insist on good locks and keeping the entrances locked but they also suggest making the life of intruders difficult. If they decide to approach your house, make it hard for them to break in! If they break-in, make it hard for them to find valuables! Intruders are usually after money, jewelry and small high tech gadgets they can sell in the black market. Safe installation is one solution for those who manage to trespass your front door.

Deadbolt installation at the door separating the garage and the main house is an excellent idea. Perpetrators, who managed to open the garage door, will never expect that they have to pass another test trying to disarm your deadbolt. They might even change their minds and leave! Of course, all doors must have excellent bolts and if possible double cylinder deadbolts and never underestimate the value of having multiple light motion detectors around the house, especially close to windows and doors. When intruders run out of options and need to work twice as hard to get into your home, they will try their luck somewhere else! At least, somewhere with less light above their heads!