With the holiday season upon us, many folks are out of the house shopping or visiting family. Unfortunately, extended absence gives thieves a chance to operate more freely — and there’s been a recent uptick in home and car break-ins in the area, according to an article in the Coastal Courier.
Don’t let burglars dampen your holiday cheer! To help you make your home and car unattractive targets, here are some theft prevention tips from the Hinesville Police Department website:
10 Ways to Reduce Theft from Your Vehicle
- Lock all doors
- Remove all valuables
- Completely close all windows
- Install a locking fuel cap
- Close your garage after entering and at night
- Never leave your keys inside your vehicle
- Never leave your vehicle running unattended
- Park in well-lit areas
- Avoid isolated areas
- Install an alarm
Home Security Alarms
Home security has become one of the top things people look for in a property. Along with lot size, square footage, and location, the kind of home security system a house has in place is now truly a deciding factor for buyers. Due to this trend, having a security alarm is not only important when living in a house, but when selling one, as well.
Security Alarm System Overkill: The demand for security alarm systems is increasing, and more and more options are becoming available for residential use. While having more options is certainly good news for homeowners, it can, at times, make it difficult to find the right setup for your household.
When installing a security alarm system that is meant to protect your family and possessions, it’s easy to go overboard and end up with a system that is intrusive (and, in turn, might not get used at all). Most people do not require a fingerprint identification lock, but other forms of keyless home entry might be a perfect fit. The best option for your home should be a system that provides a significant amount of protection, but doesn’t interfere with the day-to-day life of your family.
The Basic Security Alarm: A standard home security alarm is often a good fit for most households. These systems generally include sensors on all the entry doors, some motion activated outdoor lighting, sensors on windows that are particularly easy to access, and, most importantly, a direct link to a monitoring service. This type of security alarm system will be an excellent deterrent for any would be intruders, but, at the same time, is generally fairly easy for a family to adapt to.
Security Alarm Benefits: Most would say that the biggest benefit of having a home security alarm is the peace-of-mind that comes with it. When something goes wrong (whether you are home or thousands of miles away on vacation), knowing that a system is already in place and that your house has a direct link to the proper authorities is very reassuring.
There may be immediate monetary benefits, as well. Having a security alarm that is connected to a monitoring service can, in some situations, lower homeowner’s insurance payments up to 20 percent. Many monitoring services will also offer a plan to monitor your home for fire, which some insurance companies will also take into account when deducing your premium. In every case, it will decrease the likelihood of losing money due to burglary.
Increase your Home’s Resale Value: Along with presenting a clean home, there are many improvements that can be made to a property that will increase its resale value. Adding on a garage, finishing a basement, and remodeling a kitchen, while all good ideas, can be rather costly endeavors. Landscaping a yard for security, installing a home security alarm, and putting in outdoor lighting are much less expensive projects. Despite the lower initial cost, prospective buyers still look upon these kinds of home improvements as important additions to the property they are viewing.
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