“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link”
A common phrase that applies to many places and situations. Home security might seem like an obvious place that this proverb applies, but it applies in more than one form.
It might seem obvious that if you have an extremely secure window system, but no lock on your door, you are wide open to an intruder because of this weak link in the system; but this isn’t the weak link that I’m talking about today. Today we’re talking about a full security system: windows, doors, motion sensors… the works. Having the most secure system installed is all well and good, but there’s still that one link that has the chance to be weakest of all, the user.
Here are some security tips , tricks and habits to get into in order to keep your security system working for you.
Get into a routine
When you leave your home or office for the day, get into the habit of arming your system. Break-ins can happen at any time, not just like Home Alone where they wait until you go on holiday. If you’re leaving the house for work, or leaving your office for the night, remember to set your alarm system. Having a security system installed is no good if you never use it. A few moments each day to arm your system and disarm it will give you peace of mind and a secure property.
Points of entry
Most people, when the leave their home or office for the day, lock their front door at the very least. But there is more than one way to get into a building. A quick check to see if the back door is locked and your windows are all closed/locked makes it much more difficult for a would-be intruder to find access to your property. Several security systems that Eurolink use and install rely on something being closed or locked.
Never underestimate people testing to see if a home is unlocked and empty.
Out Of Sight, On Your Mind
It’s not necessarily the front of the building that needs to be the most secure. Often people neglect to secure areas of their premises that are out of sight. These areas often attract potential burglars looking for entry to a property where they won’t be seen. You should think about checking to make sure these entrances are secure just as much as front entrances. Think about having CCTV security cameras installed to monitor these areas for additional security, allowing you to monitor activity in these out of sight areas even when no alarms are tripped.
Holidays
Whenever you go away on holiday for a long period of time there can be signs that nobody has been in the property for some time and that can be a welcome sign to burglars. Empty driveways, always open curtains and a build-up of milk and mail are some of the tell-tale signs that your home is unoccupied.
When you go away for a while, ask your neighbour if they wouldn’t mind parking their spare car on your driveway and to pick up your mail for you if it’s in an obvious location.
Cancel any milk deliveries whilst you’re away, chances are you’re not going to be using it anyway; it’ll save you money as well as your security if milk isn’t sitting outside your front door whilst you’re away.
There are other tricks you can do while you’re away but they tend to also have their drawbacks so I’ve chosen not to include them in this article.