DIY Home Security Tips

Installing home security doesn't have to leave you feeling like you've been robbed. DIY home security can make your home secure while saving you a ton of money. There are a many inexpensive ways to make your home safer and less attractive to potential thieves.

Home Security At The Points Of Entry
The windows and doors of your home are your first line of defense against burglars. There are several ways to improve the security of the entrances to your home, including:

• Solid doors - Exterior doors should be made of a solid material to make them harder to break through. Save the hollow-core doors for interior partition walls of your home.
• Dead bolts - All exterior doors in your home should have dead bolt locks installed. Yes, the door from the garage is considered an exterior door! If you don't want to put a dead bolt on that door, at least install a door reinforcer to make the door harder to kick in. If your door has a window in or near it, install a dead bolt that is keyed on both sides. That way, if burglar breaks the window, they still won't be able to unlock the dead bolt.
• Sliding doors - Protecting a sliding door is as simple as placing a broomstick in the track to keep the door from sliding. For extra protection, install a pin lock that will keep the sliding door from being lifted off its track.
• Windows - Standard sash locks offer little protection if a window is broken. Keyed sash locks will help to keep a thief at bay. Make sure all family members know where the keys are kept in case of an emergency.

Casing Your Own House
A good way to protect your home is to stand at the street and look at your home as a burglar would. Certain things make a home more or less attractive to bad guys, and most are easy to fix. Some things to look for:

• Landscaping - Look for tall, or overgrown bushes that could conceal a thief while he is trying to break in. Trim or replace bushes that offer concealment. Over hanging tree limbs can also offer cover and should be trimmed, especially if they are near the front or sides of the house.
• Lighting - Observe your home at night. Are there areas of deep shadow near windows or doors? Outdoor lighting can be an effective deterrent to break-ins and can be as simple as leaving your porch light on or as elaborate as motion-detecting spotlights.

Alarm Systems
Installing an alarm system in your house has become significantly easier with the advent of wireless systems. Although more expensive than wired alarms, wireless alarms remove the biggest hassle of alarm systems: running wires.

If you decide to install your own alarm system, you'll also need to consider whether to have it monitored. Monitoring involves a monthly fee to have a company alert police in the event of a break in. Many local companies will provide monitoring for DIY home security systems, check your phone book for alarm companies in your area.