Category

Helpful Tips

Feb 22
0
Dyezz Fire

Understanding the Benefits of Monitored Fire Protection

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Understanding the Benefits of Monitored Fire Protection

Every home has smoke detectors.  Unfortunately, in most homes, those smoke detectors are worse than useless.  

Human error destroys the usefulness of some smoke detectors.  The first time the homeowner burns his steak and fills the house with smoke the standard smoke detector goes off – and nothing will convince it to quiet down until the frustrated homeowner rips it out of the wall.  This is also the most common fate of smoke detectors which begin giving the “low battery” alert.  Homeowners disengage the smoke detector, promising themselves they will “get the battery later.”  That “later” rarely comes as the homeowner gets swamped with a list of other concerns.

The second factor is homeowner absence.  Smoke detectors are only useful when they can alert someone who can take action on a fire.  Should a fire start when the occupants are out at work or school, the standard fire alarm will just continue to shriek until the resulting blaze melts it.  The smoke detector might have been useful for warning people to get out of the home, but it doesn’t do a thing to prevent the home from burning to the ground.

The solution to the first scenario is simple enough.  Replacing battery operated smoke detectors with wired-in smoke/heat detectors takes the homeowner out of the equation.  There’s no need to replace batteries when the smoke detectors run on the house’s electrical wiring.  Smoke/heat detectors also do not sound the alarm unless they detect the sorts of high temperatures associated with a fire.  That means it will not sound a false alarm and annoy the homeowner while he is struggling with a burning meal.

The second problem can be solved by having monitored fire protection on the home.  Monitored fire protection works much the same way that burglar alarms do.  When the smoke and heat detector discovers signs of a fire, it makes a noise in the house while sending a signal through the phone lines.  This signal then alerts a 24/7 call center who, in turn, calls the fire department.  If the homeowner is home he can concentrate on getting himself and his family safe.  If he’s not, the fire still gets put out.  Those vital seconds can mean the difference between a damaged home and a destroyed home.  It can also prove to be a literal lifesaver for beloved family pets.

Monitored fire protection is usually very affordable.  Most burglar alarm companies offer this service, either as a stand-alone subscription or as an add-on to monitored burglary protection.

Jan 17
0
Dyezz Surveillance

How to Safeguard a Property You Rent to Others

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How to Safeguard a Property You Rent to Others

Renting a property can be a smart financial move, but to ensure a good return on your investment, you have to be proactive about safeguarding the home. This includes taking many of the regular steps you’d take for your own house, but you also have to think about the potential behaviors of your tenants, taking their safety and comfort into consideration.

  • Consider a security alarm system. Having one might mean you charge your tenants extra in rent to cover the expense, but it provides another layer of protection, connecting the people in your property to emergency responders.
  • Perform scheduled maintenance checks on time–tenants don’t always report hazards or necessary repairs. Examples of items to put on your rental property maintenance checklist include:
  • Condition of ceilings (stains, sagging, or cracks can signal water damage)
  • Secure, clean electrical outlets and light switches that turn on/off easily
  • Doors and windows all open and close properly (prevents intrusions but also ensures tenants can exit in emergencies)
  • Plumbing functionality and water heater temperature (should be less than 120 degrees F)
  • Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors work
  • Roof and gutters clean and sound
  • Go the extra mile to secure all doors and windows. For instance, installing frame pins, dowels, deadbolts, antitheft devices, or keyed locks at the top or bottom of the entrance can make it harder for intruders to make their way into the property.
  • Invest in good lighting, ideally with motion-sensing capabilities, to ensure the yard, parking area, and entranceways provide ample visibility and awareness of those in the area.
  • Keep an eye on nature. Overgrown plants, including trees, can give criminals something to hide behind, and can send the message that you don’t care about or aren’t watching the property. Plants also can promote infestations of bugs, rodents, or other pests. The foliage shouldn’t block the view of windows or doors from the street.
  • Register the property with local authorities to qualify for services such as city-based inspections.
  • Establish good relationships with neighbors and community members so they can keep an extra set of eyes on the property for you and your tenants.
  • Perform background checks on everyone you rent to.
  • Be clear about the expectations and rules outlined in the lease and communicate openly. Don’t wait to clarify issues or alert tenants to violations.

Completing these steps greatly reduces the liabilities associated with your rental property. Rather than rushing through each point, take the time to explore all your resources and options for superior results.

 

Dec 29
0
Dyezz Fire Blog

5 Fire Safety Tips for Heating Your Home During the Winter

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As the temperatures begin to drop during the winter season, you’re going to depend more on more on various heating equipment to keep warm, whether it’s your home’s HVAC system, your fireplace or your space heater. While these are perfectly fine ways to keep warm, there are some safety issues inherent with the use of such heating methods. Heating equipment, after all, is the leading cause for home deaths – and almost 50 percent of all heating equipment fires occur during the winter months. The following are five fire safety tips that will help you heat your home safely during the winter:

  1. Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors 

First of all, you should have smoke alarm alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors on every floor of your home. They can save your life and the lives of your family if a fire does break out. Make sure that you replace old batteries and that you test each alarm and detector to make sure that they work properly towards the beginning of winter.

  1. Clear space around heating equipment 

Make sure you have nothing flammable stored beside your furnace, fireplace or space heaters. In fact, there should be at least three feet of clear space all around your heating equipment. For example, if your furnace is in your basement and you’re also using your basement as storage, make sure you don’t end up surrounding the furnace with cardboard boxes full of old clothes. 

  1. Have your fireplace inspected before use

There’s a good chance that you only use your fireplace during the winter seasons, which means it remains unused for most of the year. Before you begin depending on it to heat your home, have a professional come inspect the fireplace. You’ll want to make sure that there’s no damage to the chimney and that any soot or debris buildup is cleaned out to prevent a potential chimney fire from occurring.

  1. Use a fireplace screen

A screen that sits in front of your fireplace can help to prevent sparks from your fire from flying out into your room. A single spark can end up lighting a fire. Technically, you should never leave a fireplace fire unattended – but it does happen, which is why a screen will help provide your home with extra fire protection.

  1. Always turn your space heaters off when leaving a room

Space heaters are a great way to provide heat to just one room, thereby saving the cost of heating the entire home. However, you need to make sure you don’t forget to turn the space heater off when you leave the room or go to bed.

There’s no way to avoid using your heating equipment during the winter – it can be dangerous to your health if it’s too cold, after all. But there are ways to prevent fires from breaking out due to the use of your heating equipment. These are five important fire safety tips that you should employ in order to heat your home safely during the winter months.

 

Dec 03
0
Dyezz Blog

The “Before I Leave On Vacation” To Do List

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The “Before I Leave On Vacation” To Do List

When you are going on a vacation, there are many tasks to do to before you can actually relax and start having fun. You will relax more if you know your house is secure and all of your belongings will still be there when you return. This To Do list will help you to prepare for your vacation, so that your homecoming makes you feel good too. 

Mail

You do not want to alert anyone who happens to be walking down your street that you are not home and have not been home for several days. Either request the post office to hold your mail until you return for a small fee, or ask a trusted neighbour or friend to empty your mailbox.  Do not forget to cancel the newspaper delivery too. 

You may also consider sending an automatic reply to your emails and turning off your answering machine on your phone. If you leave the answering machine on, people will know you are not at home if they keep ringing back because the beeps get shorter. Turn it off and the phone just rings out, which could mean you are actually home, but busy and unable to reach the phone. 

Pets

Make sure you have catered for any pets you have. There are several options to get your beloved pet looked after while you are relaxing on your holiday. A housesitter can come and stay in your house, you can ask a trusted friend or neighbour to come over daily to care for your pet (and to pick up the mail, water the plants and turn the lights on and off at the same time), or you can board your pet at a kennel or cattery. 

Plants

Coming home to a house full of dead plants is not the sort of homecoming you will be imagining. If you have plants that you love and that need some regular TLC, getting a housesitter is worth considering.  If your plants are hardier types, you may just like to give your plants have a good drink before you go, so the soil does not dry out while you are away.  

Take any cut flowers out of vases and throw them (and the water) away or you will come home to a stench you will never forget. 

Lights

A dark house with no lights on indicates that no-one is home. If this situation continues for several nights, you will increase the chance of burglars taking advantage of your absence.  If you have arranged for a friend or neighbour to collect the mail, and take care of any pets or plants, ask them to also turn some lights on and off at different times, so that the house looks lived in. 

Alternatively, you can invest in a timing switch that automatically turns the lights on and off at certain times of the day or night. If neither of these options is available, leave at least a lamp on. The soft glow of the lamp is not visible during the day, but will shine through the windows at night, leaving possible burglars thinking that someone could be home.  

Sound

Leaving a radio on will encourage people to think that someone could be home. It can also provide some company for your pet who is probably used to having people around more often. If you use a clock radio alarm, set the alarm for different times during the day, so that people may think someone is home if the radio suddenly starts up. 

Security 

Ensuring your home is protected by video and alarm surveillance could be the most important step to keeping your home secure while on vacation. A home security system makes your home less likely to be targeted by intruders and robbers. 

Fridge 

Make sure you clean out your fridge and give away any vegetables or food products you will not eat before you leave and that will go off before your return. There is nothing worse than coming home and opening the fridge to see (and smell) rotting food. The same goes for any fruits in a fruit bowl, or any other food products in your house anywhere. 

Electrical Appliances 

Turn off and unplug the electrical appliances in your home before a vacation. Firstly, this can save electricity because even on standby power appliances will use electricity. Why pay bills for appliances you have not even used?  Secondly, this can prevent the appliances blowing up or breaking if an electrical storm creates a discharge. Thirdly, a quick check in each room will make sure you do not leave anything on that could cause problems like the oven or an iron. 

Clean

Leave your house as clean as possible. You will not want to have a lot of housework when you return from a vacation.  Wash your clothes and leave fresh sheets on your bed, so that you can return to a house that is spick and span and feels nice. Remember you will most likely be bringing more washing home after the vacation too. 

Neighbor

You should always tell at least one neighbour, family member, or trusted friend where you are going and how to contact you in case of emergency.  If your house burnt down, you would want to know straight away. Your neighbour may also keep a watchful eye on your house, which increases your security. 

Now that you have taken care of everything, you can relax and thoroughly enjoy your vacation. You will return to a secure, clean house that will make you feel almost as good as your vacation did!

Oct 22
0
Dyezz- Protect Your Home

Simple and Effective Ways to Protect Your Home from the Bad Guys

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Simple and Effective Ways to Protect Your Home from the Bad Guys

Dyezz Surveillance and Alarm

Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, securing a single family home can present some unique challenges. If you live in a high-rise or apartment building, you may have a doorman to check visitors and keep your property safe. When you live in a single family home, you have to rely on yourself and your proactive approach to security to prevent burglaries and avoid theft.

The good news is that there are simple things you can do to secure your single family home and make yourself a less tempting target for the bad guys out there. You may not be able to stop the bad guys from being bad, but you can protect your own home and reduce your chances of a break-in or burglary. Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to secure your single family home and keep your family safer.

Invest in a Quality Security System

Simply having a security system is one of the most effective ways to protect your home and your family. If you own your own home, you can purchase a traditional wired security system, complete with alarms at the doors, windows and other entry points. You can also add hard-wired security cameras that are remotely monitored by the company doing the installation.

If your single family home is a rental, you can take advantage of the new style wireless security systems, which use a variety of techniques to keep your home safe and your family protected. From easy to install door and window alarms to wireless security cameras, these systems can be very effective at keeping the bad guys at bay. 

Burglars are savvy, and they have learned to look for the telltale signs of a security system when casing a neighborhood. Simply having a security sign in the yard can be a good deterrent, and placing visible security cameras at the doors and windows could help even more.

Keep Your Garage Door Secure

Your garage door is the largest door in your home, and for many single family homes it is also the least secure. Many homeowners painstakingly lock their front doors when they return home, but they leave their garage doors open to facilitate easy entrances and exits for family members.

That same ease of entry can be an open invitation to a burglar, giving them a chance to score some very valuable items without your even knowing it. Just think about the valuables you probably keep in your garage – from your toolbox and power tools to the lawn mower and leaf blower. Then look at the property with the eyes of a burglar and consider how easy it would be to make off with those valuables while you are at home going about your business.

 Keep Your Expensive Purchases to Yourself

If you have just purchased a big-screen TV, you are probably in a hurry to get it mounted and start watching it. Even so, you need to take care and protect that costly purchase from the bad guys.

Many homeowners make the mistake of placing their big-screen TV boxes and other evidence of a recent buying spree out at the curb. While you do need to dispose of those boxes, you should do so in a less obvious manner.

Take a few minutes to break the TV box down, cutting it up and placing it in the trash or recyclable container instead of simply putting it out by the curb. If you are using a wall mount for your new flat-screen TV, invest in a security cable to keep it in place and make it a less tempting target should a burglar manage to access your home.

Get to Know Your Neighbors

There is safety in numbers, and getting to know the neighbors is one of the best ways to keep your home and family secure. Take the time to introduce yourself to the neighbor across the street and the family who lives in the home next door. Once you get to know one another, you and your neighbors can keep tabs on one another’s homes and report signs of suspicious activity in the area.

Whether you organize a formal neighborhood watch or simply maintain a casual lookout for possible intruders, banding together can keep everyone who lives on your street safer and more secure. Neighbors should watch out for one another, and simply getting to know the people who live in the surrounding houses can keep you, and your single family home, a lot safer.

Sometimes it seems like there is little we can do to protect ourselves from crime, but much of your security is within your control. From assessing the security of your single family home and making yourself a less tempting target to getting together with the neighbors, there are proactive steps you can take to keep your home safer and protect the things you own.

Sep 25
0

4 Simple Guidelines for Ensuring Home Security

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4 Simple Guidelines for Ensuring Home Security

Everyone wants to live in a home where their loved ones and valuables are safe. Sadly, break-ins happen all too often. In many cases, homes are targeted by criminals due to the negligence of the owner. The silver lining of this trend is that by learning a few simple guidelines, you can improve your home security and help ensure the safety of your family and possessions.

1. Lock All Doors and Windows

Even though this guideline may seem obvious, unlocked entryways are a leading method used by criminals to break into homes. Fortunately, this is a simple issue to overcome. Get into the practice of double-checking that all doors and windows are locked at night and before you leave the house.

2. Be Mindful of Who You Invite In

Criminals like to target homes that will be easy targets. They often identify these by visiting or sending an associate to visit houses in advance of the burglary. Be careful of the contractors, cleaners, and other such workers you invite into your home. Never accept help from workers you aren’t expecting. When soliciting a contractor, check references from trusted sources first.

3. Be Thorough with Home Upkeep

Intruders are more likely to select homes with poor upkeep. Overgrown bushes and trees can provide convenient hiding places on your property. Additionally, poor upkeep can indicate that you are currently out of town. Taking good care of your property will not only make your home look great, it will also help you keep it safe.

4. Invest in the Right Home Security System

Adding an alarm system is a great way to get some extra peace of mind. Not only will having one alert you and help you respond quickly to a break-in, but the simple presence of one will make many would-be intruders think twice. Having a security system and at least one sign indicating that your home is protected will go a long way toward keeping your house safe.

These simple home security guidelines will make a huge difference in keeping your property and loves ones protected. Break-ins are typically crimes of convenience, so everything you do to make your home a more challenging target will help ward off would-be intruders.

 

Jul 20
0

4 Home Security Risks You May Have Overlooked

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4 Home Security Risks You May Have Overlooked

You know how important it is to secure your home. You have installed a home security system and security cameras. You never leave home without first locking your doors and windows, and you take pains to make your home look lived in when you go on vacation.

All those steps are good ones, but there may be some security risks you have overlooked. It is easy to overlook the simple things when securing your home, and it is easy to put your property and your family at risk. If you are doing any of the following, you could be putting yourself at risk.

#1 – Social Media

Oversharing on social media is perhaps the biggest security risk there is. How many times have you logged on to a friend’s Facebook page and read about their upcoming vacation or planned weekend trip? In the back of your mind, you may have wondered about the wisdom of such sharing, and you were right to be concerned.

The problem with social media is you never know who is looking. Even if your Facebook page is properly secured, someone could be looking over your friend’s shoulder or reading your page without their knowledge. Criminals are very crafty, and letting them know you will be out of town is a big mistake. Feel free to share your vacation photos all you want – just wait until after you get back.

#2 – Home Improvement Workers

Unless you are a contractor, you will probably need to hire a professional to fix things around the home. From a burned out hot water heater to a shaky back deck, there are some projects that are beyond the abilities of the average homeowner.

Most of the home improvement contractors you use will be honest and trustworthy, but there are always a few bad apples out there. If you are finding your home improvement workers on Craigslist or in the parking lot at Home Depot,  you could be putting your home and family at risk.

You can protect yourself by hiring contractors through a service that screens applicants carefully. Ask about background checks and other safety precautions when you call, and make sure every person entering your home is properly licensed by the state you live in.

#3 – Using Yesterday’s Security System

Security systems have come a long way in the last few years. If it has been more than 5 years since you installed your security system, you might want to look at an upgrade. Older style security systems rely on landline telephones, and they can easily be disabled by cutting the line. Newer systems use wireless technology to protect your home, and they are much harder for thieves to foil.

You can enhance any security system with a few well-placed cameras. Security cameras make it easy to keep an eye on your home when you are away and notify the authorities if you see anything suspicious. The mere presence of a security camera is also a valuable deterrent; thieves often look for cameras and avoid homes where they are present.

#4 – Failing to Secure Your Home Network

An unsecured wireless network may not give anyone physical access to  your home, but a virtual security breach could be nearly as bad. If you fail to lock down your network, a hacker could take control of all your electronics and even steal your identity. The intruder could also turn on the webcam on your laptop or use the camera inside your TV or computer to spy on you and your family.

If you have not already assigned a strong password to your Wi-Fi network, now is the perfect time to do it. Do not rely on the default password that came with your router; that password is easy to find for anyone with an Internet connection.

You should also set up a guest connection if you often have visitors who need to use your home Wi-Fi. A guest network allows visitors to surf the web and check their email while protecting your personal information.

May 29
0
Dyezz Surveillance

Smart Home Security Tips for the New Homeowner

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Smart Home Security Tips for the New Homeowner

By John Dyess, Owner/CEO

No matter who you are or where you live, chances are the roof over your head is the single biggest asset you will ever own. With so much on the line, it is important to protect your investment any way you can.

Whether you are brand new to the world of home ownership or just new to the neighborhood, it is important to evaluate the security of your new property and look for smart ways to upgrade your safety and the safety of your family. Here are a few smart security tips you can use to protect your loved ones and your investment.

  • Research your home security options. From wireless security options you can take with you when you move to wired systems, there are plenty of ways to protect your home and your family.
  • Adding security cameras to the exterior of your home is one of the most effective ways to deter burglars. These cameras as cheap and easy to install, and their very existence could cause the bad guys to go elsewhere.
  • Consider a dummy system if you do not have the funds or the inclination to invest in the real thing. Most burglars will not be able to tell the difference between a fake security sign and a real one or a dummy camera and the genuine article.
  • Add exterior lighting to your home. Placing a spotlight above the front door or lights around the windows can deter burglars and make your home safer at night.
  • Evaluate the landscaping and trim back overgrown trees and bushes. These overgrown landscaping elements can give bad guys a place to hide.
  • Make friends with your new neighbors. In the old days neighbors watched out for one another, and you can resurrect that old tradition with a simple hello.
  • Avoid over-sharing on social media. Avoid the temptation to brag about your upcoming vacation or discuss your weekend getaway. You never know who may be reading.
  • Ask a trusted friend to watch your home when you do go away. Having a friend stop by during the day to take in the mail and check out the property is a great way to deter burglars and keep your home protected.
  • Do not hide an extra key anywhere on your property. Burglars caught on to the fake rock trick a couple decades ago, and any bad guy worth his or her salt knows to check under the welcome mat. If you must stash an extra key somewhere, leave it with a trusted neighbor. Hiding an extra key on your property is just asking for trouble.

Now that you are a proud homeowner, your number one responsibility is protecting your family from danger. Looking at your property with the eyes of a burglar and seeking out new ways to protect your home is important, and now is the perfect time to get started. Home security is everyone’s responsibility, and the steps you take to secure your home could have repercussions for the safety of the entire neighborhood.

 

Apr 02
0

Vacation Safety Tips 

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Vacation Safety Tips 

If you are planning a vacation, you will really be able to enjoy it if you have taken all of the proper safety precautions in advance. This way, you won’t be thinking about your home’s integrity while you are out on the beach trying to catch some rays. Let’s take a look at some top vacation safety tips.

Trim the Bushes

If your property has any overgrown trees or bushes, trim them right away. Don’t let these grow a significant amount of leaves or greenery, as they will provide a thief with cover to sneak around your home.

Put the Lights on a Timer

Your home’s lights should all be tied into a timer system. This will create the impression that someone is home when you are actually thousands of miles away, enjoying your vacation. Just be sure to set the lights’ timer to turn on and off during the morning, afternoon and night to create the impression that someone is home.

Eliminate the Cardboard

This tip is symbolic of a larger overall effort to get rid of every potential item that could attract a burglar. Never leave any packaging out at the curb. Instead, break down those items and put them into the proper receptacle.

Speak to the Neighbors

One of the best vacation safety tips is to speak with your neighbors on a regular basis. If you let them know that you are going to be out of town, they might keep a closer eye on your property. If you have a team of neighbors looking out for your property, it could make the difference between a home that remains safe and one that is compromised.

Add Home Sensor Lighting

The presence of motion sensor lights outside of your home is sometimes enough in and of itself to prevent a thief from trying to make his way into your home. If your home is equipped with motion sensor lighting, it will be able to shine a spotlight squarely on anyone who steps foot on your property.

Get a Dog

The presence of a dog will go a long way in protecting your valuables and loved ones. A dog will bark at intruders, defend you and make a robbery absolute hell for a burglar. Even if you do not want to care for a dog, put up a sign outside of your house indicating that there is a dog on the premises.

Don’t Announce Your Travel Plans to the World

While you might have extensive plans for a luxurious vacation, you do not need to broadcast it on social media. People that you do not know might follow you on those channels and use the opportunity to target your home for a burglary while you are away on vacation. So don’t make yourself a target. Stay quiet about your vacation plans across your social media accounts.

Use an Alarm System

While installing an alarm system might seem like an extravagance, it really can make the difference between an untouched home and one that is compromised by a burglar. Have your home’s alarm system professionally installed so that it can identify unwanted intruders and alert the authorities. Some home alarm systems even have a technology that warns the property owner of a drop in temperature that might cause the pipes to freeze.

It is Time to Enjoy the Vacation of Your Dreams 

Fortune favors those who take multiple precautions, think ahead and plan for the worst. Follow the advice set forth above and you will enjoy a carefree vacation without concern for your property. The key is to prepare in the weeks and days ahead of the big trip. Invest the time and effort necessary to protect your home against burglars and you will return to find your home in the exact condition you left it.

Mar 08
0

Simple and Effective Ways to Protect Your Home from the Bad Guys

By | Helpful Tips | No Comments

Simple and Effective Ways to Protect Your Home from the Bad Guys

Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, securing a single family home can present some unique challenges. If you live in a high-rise or apartment building, you may have a doorman to check visitors and keep your property safe. When you live in a single family home, you have to rely on yourself and your proactive approach to security to prevent burglaries and avoid theft.
The good news is that there are simple things you can do to secure your single family home and make yourself a less tempting target for the bad guys out there. You may not be able to stop the bad guys from being bad, but you can protect your own home and reduce your chances of a break-in or burglary. Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to secure your single family home and keep your family safer.
 
Invest in a Quality Security System:
Simply having a security system is one of the most effective ways to protect your home and your family. If you own your own home, you can purchase a traditional wired security system, complete with alarms at the doors, windows and other entry points. You can also add hard-wired security cameras that are remotely monitored by the company doing the installation.
 If your single family home is a rental, you can take advantage of the new style wireless security systems, which use a variety of techniques to keep your home safe and your family protected. From easy to install door and window alarms to wireless security cameras, these systems can be very effective at keeping the bad guys at bay.
 Burglars are savvy, and they have learned to look for the telltale signs of a security system when casing a neighborhood. Simply having a security sign in the yard can be a good deterrent, and placing visible security cameras at the doors and windows could help even more.
 
Keep Your Garage Door Secure:
Your garage door is the largest door in your home, and for many single family homes it is also the least secure. Many homeowners painstakingly lock their front doors when they return home, but they leave their garage doors open to facilitate easy entrances and exits for family members. That same ease of entry can be an open invitation to a burglar, giving them a chance to score some very valuable items without your even knowing it. Just think about the valuables you probably keep in your garage – from your toolbox and power tools to the lawn mower and leaf blower. Then look at the property with the eyes of a burglar and consider how easy it would be to make off with those valuables while you are at home going about your business.
 
Keep Your Expensive Purchases to Yourself:
If you have just purchased a big-screen TV, you are probably in a hurry to get it mounted and start watching it. Even so, you need to take care and protect that costly purchase from the bad guys. Many homeowners make the mistake of placing their big-screen TV boxes and other evidence of a recent buying spree out at the curb. While you do need to dispose of those boxes, you should do so in a less obvious manner.
 Take a few minutes to break the TV box down, cutting it up and placing it in the trash or recyclable container instead of simply putting it out by the curb. If you are using a wall mount for your new flat-screen TV, invest in a security cable to keep it in place and make it a less tempting target should a burglar manage to access your home.
 
Get to Know Your Neighbors:
There is safety in numbers, and getting to know the neighbors is one of the best ways to keep your home and family secure. Take the time to introduce yourself to the neighbor across the street and the family who lives in the home next door. Once you get to know one another, you and your neighbors can keep tabs on one another’s homes and report signs of suspicious activity in the area.
 Whether you organize a formal neighborhood watch or simply maintain a casual lookout for possible intruders, banding together can keep everyone who lives on your street safer and more secure. Neighbors should watch out for one another, and simply getting to know the people who live in the surrounding houses can keep you, and your single family home, a lot safer.
 Sometimes it seems like there is little we can do to protect ourselves from crime, but much of your security is within your control. From assessing the security of your single family home and making yourself a less tempting target to getting together with the neighbors, there are proactive steps you can take to keep your home safer and protect the things you own.