How to Defend Your Home from Intruders

If a home is a man's castle, then it is a pretty vulnerable one if it doesn't have the security needed to keep it safe. Crime rates in the UK, like in almost every country in the world, are on the rise. Not a day passes without the media reporting a crime committed in one part of the country or another.

While the keeping of the peace on streets and in public places is the domain and responsibility of the police, there is a slight difference when it comes to the defence of the home. A homeowner can at least try to defend his or her own place of residence in addition to relying on the protection of the police.

Planning of a home defence system is something that needs to be done carefully. Every part of the home should be taken into consideration: it really does make sense to adhere to the saying that is often heard in crime movies: "To catch a criminal, you must think like a criminal."

Therefore, although there are plenty of great companies that not only sell some of the best and sophisticated home security systems in the country but also help with the planning and installation of the devices, (a good example is CompoundSecurity) the best way to protect a home is take a paradigm shift and make sure burglars don't enter in the first place.

How to do that?

Simple, here are a few things to take into consideration:

• Home defence starts from outside the home. Before the intruder(s) can get access to a home, they will need to get access to the compound or front garden. If there are high bushes around, they can serve as good hiding places. The closer they are to windows the greater the risk of their serving as reconnaissance spots. If there is no or inadequate lighting it can help conceal intruders. Trimming bushes and installing exterior lighting should be a priority.
• Thieves are attracted to flashy things. Expensive cars should be parked inside a garage. Garden furniture shouldn't be of the expensive sort. As much as possible, everything outside should be "toned" down.
• Most people are creatures of habit. They come and go at certain times. They take the same route to and from work. Thieves and burglars can actually set their watches to some people’s habits. This should be avoided. Randomizing schedules of the whole family makes the house a less attractive target.
• A dog might be man's best friend, but it sure doesn't like unfamiliar people – like thieves and burglars. Investing in a pet could save a lot of money in the long run. The size doesn't matter – as long as it barks, intruders will think twice before proceeding inwards.

The whole idea here is that making a home less attractive for thieves can help prevent robberies before they even have to tackle the issues of a home security system.

Christopher Hitchins writes about domestic and commercial security matters. He focuses on preventive measures, such as those by CompoundSecurity, which can be used to deter and prevent crime against property.

Louise Carr writes for home and garden blogs and websites, including articles about services like http://bbsplumbandheat.com. She is a freelance writer based in Buenos Aires.