You come home from work and your place has been ramsacked-you’ve been robbed! According to Robert Campbell, owner of Advantage Locksmith NYC in New York City, you can take measures to prevent this from happening. He suggests:
- Have a good lock on your door. It’s best to have have two locks. The lower one is a “privacy lock” that you can lock if you are for example, watching kids in the front yard. The top lock is a deadbolt for security.
- Get a lock with keys on both sides. That way your door is “double locked.” Be aware that in some apartment units, this may be illegal because it is seen as a fire hazard.
- Avoid having glass near doors. For example, some doors are framed by glass, which invites thieves to break the glass and open your door. For all glass doors, such as one going to your deck, try to get a secure lock installed on the door.
- Install motion detector lights. That way, if someone approaches the light at a certain distance, the light will go on and it can even trigger a call to your security company. Just be sure it is not too sensitive otherwise you’re alarm will sound every time a rabbit walks in front of the light.
- If you have hedges near your front door, they should be low enough that you can see over them when entering or exiting your home. You don’t want them high otherwise someone can hide behind them.
- Put outdoor lights on a timer. That way they are on when it’s dark out, even if you aren’t home yet. They will also turn when you are on vacation, so it will look like you are home, which is a deterrent to thieves.By following these tips, you will hopefully avoid becoming a victim of robbery.
