Putting It All Together
Readers of this column will know the last few years I have done a number of articles on how to better secure your home from potential criminal activity. This article will summarize those practices.
First off there are three main principles that you should keep in mind. The first one is to start from afar. By this I mean try to have the criminal thinking that it’s going to take some effort to get into your place even before he tries to come on to your property. A good example of this is a locked and substantial gate. You can also employ the inexpensive early driveway warning systems I wrote about last month where an alarm will sound in your house/on cell phone to let you know someone is approaching.
A second principle follows up on the first principle in that your place should look like it’s harder to break into than your neighbours’. As I’ve said before, this may not reduce overall crime, but it will reduce your crime.
Third principle is to do the things you are supposed to do to secure your place all the time. Yes, it’s more work, like locking up every night, but do you want to be safe or play Russian Roulette with your security.
Here are some practices that actually work if you do them consistently:
Don’t Advertise. Around 50% of crime is a spur of the moment thing. Keep valuables out of sight. If a thief can’t see it, he won’t be thinking of stealing it. This works inside and outside the home. Keep quads, bikes and your Ferrari in the garage, shed or wherever, but not out in the open. Inside the house, hide your valuables (whatever you deem that to be). You can get creative in finding hiding spots. Check out YouTube for endless ideas. If you have a safe, hide it too. I know of a case where professional thieves pulled a fairly substantial safe out of the basement and out through the door likely by hooking it up to a vehicle and pulling it up the stairs.
Lock Everything Up. This means your house’s doors and windows, garages, sheds, other outbuildings, vehicles. Even if your vehicle is in a locked garage, lock it up. The Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association did an awareness campaign in the Red Deer area a few years ago, advocating car owners to always lock their vehicles. People complied and did lock their vehicles more often, and guess what, theft of vehicles and their contents went down 32% during the six-month duration of the campaign.
Use Lighting Properly. While local RCMP advise having everything well lit, studies have shown that lots of light doesn’t really make a difference. As a matter of fact, having things lit up lets thieves know what you’ve got for the taking. Again, don’t advertise. When you do use lighting, you should follow the three main principles of Dark Sky Lighting: 1) no light should shine above the horizontal plane, it’s just wasted light. Ideally it should form a cone of light downward, 2) turn outdoor lights off when not in use or use motion sensors, and 3) use light closer to the amber end of the spectrum as it is less likely to upset the circadian rhythms of plants, animals, & you.
Landscaping. Keep bushes and trees under three feet so as not to provide thieves with places to hide. Plant thorny greenery, especially under windows. Keep up the yard’s appearance so that it looks like your place is frequently occupied. Following proper FireSmarting should not only make your place less susceptible to fire, but also provides less cover for thieves.
Dogs. Studies have shown that dogs, even the little yappy ones, deter thieves. They sound an alarm that you or the neighbours can hear and let a thief know that he’s been detected. If large enough, they can also act as a deterrent and protection for their owners.
Security Systems, Cameras, & Signage. Use of security systems, while not fool proof, will give thieves pause. If you are a thief, why would you risk setting off alarms, potentially bringing the police, or having your image identified when you can go someplace else and remain anonymous.
Your place is most vulnerable when you are away. While you are gone try to ensure the place looks lived in. Inhouse lights should be on, but on timers. Lights that are always on tell thieves you’re away. Have someone cut the grass, and in winter make tracks in the snow on your driveway.
If you follow these recommendations, you can significantly decrease your chances of being a victim of crime. Use your common sense about what to do – it is your most valuable resource.
Dave Schroeder – HCRCWA Board Member
