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Preventing Home Invasion

Preventing a home invasion robbery goes beyond basic changes and additions to a home, like new locks and a security system. In fact, there are a few basic tips and tricks that can boost the security of any home and work to prevent a home invasion.

Some of these tips and tricks include locking your home, both during the day and at night and using the appropriate locks on all doors and windows. All doors leading to the outside should be solid wood or metal and windows should have aftermarket security features; such as, glass break detectors and special locks.

A window is usually the easiest entrance for a criminal into a home. That is why homeowners frequently opt for aftermarket locks and a wooden or steel pole in the window sliding track. Some of the most venerable windows include windows that are located in the side and back yards of a dwelling. These areas are often the most venerable because of brush and plants. It is important to remember not to allow trees, shrubs, or brush to grow around windows. These plants can give burglars a great hiding place before and after entering a home.

Another great security mechanism for a window is a glass break detector; however, these items are not only used on windows. They are also useful for doors that lead outside and they are a wonderful way to prevent a home invasion robbery.

Other than sensors doors should also have other extras, especially interior doors that lead to the outside. These include front doors, back doors and doors that lead from a home into a garage. Such doors should be solid core items. Most of these items are either solid steel or solid wood with durable locks and deadbolts.

After a door is fitted with the right locks and deadbolts there are two other tricks that can prevent a home invader from entering a house. One of the easiest tips is a well-fitted frame. Door frames that fit well will ensure a strong door that will withstand a great deal of force. In addition to a strong and well-fitted frame, many homeowners opt for installing a strike back plate. This plate is installed in the door to prevent damage or opening from direct force, like being kicked or rammed.

Circuit alarms are used by homeowners for detecting home invasion. While national numbers for break-ins have decreased over the last year, crime rates vary by region. Using circuit alarms gives homeowners peace of mind.

There are two types of circuit alarms: one that is electric and one that makes use of lines from a telecommunications company. Electric circuit alarms are much more common. In fact, they are one of the simplest types of burglar alarms on the market.

Electric circuit alarms send an electric current between two objects. For example, a current could run between a window frame and a window. If someone opens the window while the circuit alarm is armed, the electric current is disrupted and the alarm sounds.

There are two types of electric circuit alarms: closed circuit systems and open circuit systems. If the system has a closed circuit, it means that as long as the window is closed, the charge can flow from one end of the circuit to the other without interruption. However, if an intruder opens the window while the alarm is armed, the circuit opens, and electricity cannot flow from one end of the circuit to the other. This triggers an alarm.

On the other hand, if the alarm utilizes an open circuit system, then opening the window will close the circuit allowing electricity to freely flow. The circuit is completed and the alarm sounds.
Security experts usually recommend using a closed circuit system. Open circuit systems have an inherent weakness: an intruder can cut the connected wires to deactivate the alarm. Home security experts also point out that while circuit alarms are relatively inexpensive and simple to run they are not without flaws: they can be bypassed entirely by a savvy intruder who simply uses another entrance point. Consumers should talk with a security consultant to see if this vulnerability is significant enough to make them consider other alarms that are more advanced. Other options include radar-based motion detectors and passive infrared detectors.

A more complex type of circuit alarm does not utilize electricity, but gets power from telecommunication lines. (This connection is also known as an alarm circuit and is more often used by high-tech monitoring services.) The apparatus is used to transmit a signal from an alarm to a transmission facility. Circuits consist of unconditioned pairs of telephone wires leased from a telecommunications provider. The pairs do not have a dial tone. Circuit alarms are also called "dry" lines to distinguish them from "wet lines" which have continuous electric potential. Circuit alarms cost about three dollars per month per quarter-mile. There is also an additional handling fee from a telco provider.