So many of us are spending more time at home these days, making it a perfect opportunity to get a few home projects out of the way. Studies show that keeping your home painted, clean and repaired sends the message that you are taking responsibility for your property, have measures in place to make entry difficult, and that you will call law enforcement in the event of suspicious or criminal activity.
Here are 8 budget friendly pandemic home projects that will help secure your home.
Easy-to-read house numbers. It helps emergency services to locate a home in a hurry if the house numbers are large, well-placed and well-lit. Select an obvious location, clear of shrubbery, in a color (reflective material) that stands out against the background. Put numbers behind your house too if there’s an alley.
Landscaping modifications. Make it difficult for thieves to conceal themselves or stolen property. Pay special attention to hedges and trees within 6 feet of your doorway that provide concealment. Keep lower tree branches trimmed to a minimum height of 6 to 8 feet from the ground, and shrubs and hedges a maximum height of 3 feet tall, with the bottom 6 to 10 inches cleared off the ground, making hiding behind them more difficult. Trim or remove trees that offer access to upper level windows. Deter access to lower level windows by using thorny plants at those locations.
Onsite convenience survey. Walk around your property taking note of any items that could aid criminals. Clear out any bricks, tools or large loose rocks that could easily smash through a window. If large loose rocks are part of your landscaping, consider securing them to their location with cement backing, making them difficult to lift and move. Avoid placing your trash bins up against a fence or wall with a window. These make for a convenient stepstool to get into otherwise out-of-reach areas.
Exterior lighting adjustments. High efficiency lights will help keep unwelcome guests from approaching your walkway or front door in the dark. Motion sensor lights are great, but a better option is a timer operated light or dusk-to-dawn lights for a set-it-and-forget-it install (you can also purchase dusk-to-dawn light bulbs for existing fixtures). Solar powered units are available for energy efficiency. If you have a large property, consider lighting its perimeter with landscape lighting that is both decorative and deters intrusion.
Window and sliding door locks. Consider adding additional security to your windows and sliding doors by installing safety bars, window locks, sliding door foot locks, and anti-lifting devices to keep windows and doors from being lifted up off the track. Locks should be in place and used correctly every time, even if use is minimal. This applies to all levels of your home, not just the ground floor.
Front door viewers. If you do not already have a peep sight in your door, install one at a height that makes it useable for everyone in the household. If appropriate, install a second one at a height suitable for children. Choose a wide angle 180-degree lens for a full view. To see what is happening on your doorstep when you are not at home, consider a doorbell camera — these let you see activity on your doorstep in real time. Some models even allow recording and voice communication.
Entry door locks. Make sure they are all in working order and have both a keyed entry lock and sturdy deadbolt lock installed with 3-inch screws, with a 1-inch throw. If you have an attached garage, make sure to instakk garage-to-house door locks. Keep the garage-to-house door locked always, in case someone gains unauthorized entry into your garage. Consider using a keyed lock and latch to secure the garage door as an added layer of protection in addition to your remote opening system. Entry to garages can be gained quite easily with frequency scanners and even a metal hanger shoved into the top crease to pull the release cord.
Interior lights. A couple of lights left on at night suggests that someone’s home, making criminals less likely to attempt entry. Invest in a few timers for your lights and regularly change the time they go off and on.
These recommendations are based on concepts and strategies of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). The CPTED concept is that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to the reduction of crime and improvement in quality of life. For your FREE residential CPTED assessment, please contact me at the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Ramona Substation: 760-738-2425.
Martha Gonzalez is the crime prevention specialist at the sheriff’s Ramona station.
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August 05, 2020 at 11:13PM
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Crime Prevention Corner - Ramona Sentinel
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