4 Most Common Home Security Threats
Ensuring the security of your home and the safety of your family members is critical to providing a happy and comfortable family life. Moreover, considering the increasing number of home burglaries, it is paramount that you keep your home protected from all sorts of criminal intrusions.
Ensuring home security needs a well-planned and proficient adoption of measures. Here are some of the most common home security threats to take into consideration when designing your security strategy:
- Lack of a home security system
Many people looking to safeguard their homes often rely on strongly built locks for their windows and doors, but this may not always be enough to keep your family and belongings safe, especially when facing smart criminals with access to the latest weapons. As such, it is necessary to use multiple crime deterrent systems that go beyond locks and keys, like a home security system with alarms and sensors, in addition to getting a house sitter during the vacation period.
- Incomplete home coverage
Although getting a home security system with alarms, detectors, sensors, and video surveillance is a good idea, it won’t be as effective if the layout leaves gaps that can be exploited by intruders. Some homeowners rush to acquire low-cost security packages that offer a bare minimum coverage without taking into consideration all possible entry points. Such systems only secure a door and several windows, but not all likely entry points.
To avoid such shortcomings, it is best to tailor a security system that is more reliable than affordable, taking into consideration all possible entries – balcony, tree, crawlspace, entrance via the garage, etc.
- Incorrectly calibrated equipment
To avoid the terrifying false alarm, many homeowners tend to calibrate their security systems too leniently. Improper calibration can also occur with poorly maintained equipment that may even become redundant. Motion sensors, for instance, can be set too high in an effort to avoid pets triggering them; or sound sensors set at so high a threshold that shattering glass does not raise alarm, creating an opportunity for burglars to exploit, but an even bigger concern is that people forget to replace dead batteries on their equipment.
This threat can be avoided by asking a security system specialist to calibrate the equipment and test it, combined with regular professional inspections and maintenance when necessary. Also, always keep extra batteries in your home so your system is always operational.
- Installing incompatible security products
One of the biggest problems with assembled DIY security systems is that some products may not work effectively together. For instance, a tracking security camera may interrupt a motion detector, or two pieces of equipment placed next to each other may cause electromagnetic interference, disrupting the function of either piece.
This can be avoided by working with one security system provider, or seeking the approval of your security provider before installing any extra equipment.
Final notes
There are many other risks that can make your home an easy target for criminals, like allowing strangers into your home, leaving some windows unlocked when rushing out, or leaving your landscape unattended so thieves have a place to hide. To reduce such threats, you should be more careful and seek professional help in designing an integrated home security system.
For more information, contact a.p.i. ALARM
