Safety
Deter * Deny * Detect * Dispatch
Deter
- Take measures in order to decrease the likelihood that your home will
be targeted by deflecting the burglar's attention to a less appealing target.
- Insure your security system decals are visible. A yard sign acts as
even more of a deterrence (call Sentinel to find out about obtaining a yard sign).
- During vacation time, maintain a lived-in look. Have the snow removed
from your front steps, ask a neighbor to park in your driveway, do not let mail and
newspapers accumulate. Use timers for interior lighting. Exterior lighting should be
activated by photocell units and motion detectors.
Deny
- Burglars will normally spend 1 minute attempting to break-in. By
making it more difficult to gain access, perhaps they will go elsewhere. 12% of burglaries
occur through unlocked doors.
- Insure that all doors and windows have adequate locks.
- Do not leave ladders or reaching aids available around the outside of
the house.
Detect
- In the event that a burglar does attempt to break-in, you will be
relying on your security system for the detection. That is why it is important to make
sure that the upper floors of your home are secured in addition to the first floor. One
third of burglary attempts in alarmed homes occur in the upper floors.
Dispatch
- Once the signal has been sent to the monitoring station and the
police or responding agency has been sent, a key holder on your list ultimately becomes
responsible for the well being of your property. It is of paramount importance that a
decision maker is available in the event of an actual break-in.
