and family.
Here are some other things you can do that will add to the protection your security system
will give.
| Doors |
For the security system, first count the doors. It is best to secure all doors that lead outside, even if the door is on the second floor. Don't forget the basement door, especially if you have small children. Most security systems can be set to chime if a door is opened, so you'll hear a chime if a child goes out or comes in. With or without a security system, be sure all doors and have top-quality double-cylinder locks. If there is a window within arm's reach of the door, consider a double-key deadbolt for that door. Keep the key nearby but not in the lock, and make sure the children know where to find the key, in case of fire. You may also want to keep curtains drawn on the windows nearest the doors, to prevent someone on at the door from being able to see into the home. How about the doors themselves? Are they hollow....metal....glass? Do solid doors have wide-angle peepholes that adults AND children can use? Now think about outside your doors. Are there any elements outside that block the view of the area around the door? Are there lights that come on at dusk or are motion sensitive? |
| Windows |
For the security system, consider protecting every window on the ground floor, and even second-floor windows that can be easily reached from a lower area of the roof. An intruder dressed in a painter's jumpsuit could crawl through a window at any An height without arousing suspicion. height without arousing suspicion. even second-floor windows that can be easily reached from a lower area of the roof. An intruder dressed in a painter's jumpsuit could crawl through a window at any height without arousing suspicion. With or without a security system, consider a more secure locking mechanism, beyond the standard lock. There are latches with key locks, which will eliminate the chance for the intruder to break the window and turn the latch. Another option is adding "pins" to keep the window from going up at all unless the pin is removed. "Stops" can also be considered, to limit how high the window can be raised. This method will keep an intrude from raising the window high enough to crawl through, but will also limit your ability to use the window to escape, in case of fire. If you install stops, you'll need to be prepared to break the window if you need to escape. |
| Attic |
For the security system, be sure that there is no access into the home from the attic. Attic space over the garage should be included in the security system zones. Don't forget about the possibility of fire in the attic. Many times, there is wiring, even a furnace in the attic. Include a monitored heat device for the attic in your security system plan. Don't rely on a smoke detector in the main hall to take care of this -- smoke rises, so the smoke detector below the problem will not detect the danger. |
| Basement |
For the security system, consider a monitored heat device to detect a problem early. With or without a security system, if there is an exterior door to the basement, consider a strong deadbolt placed higher than usual, so it cannot be kicked in and so that small children can't unlock the door. If the basement is finished, add a smoke detector. |
| Crawl Spaces |
For the security system, since the crawl space frequently contains wiring or a furnace, a monitored heat device is a top priority. Secure the door to the crawl space so that children and animals can't wander in. |
| Garage |
A garage door opener is a great way to secure your garage. If your garage door has windows in it, consider removing the red manual-open cord from the garage door opener, to keep an intruder from breaking the glass and using the cord to open the door. For the security system, a monitored heat sensor is a good idea for a garage, especially if you have an extra appliance, like a freezer or a refrigerator, in use there. |
| Shrubs |
Thorny shrubs planted underneath windows and near entry doors are a great way to deter bad guys. Here are a few varieties that are easily found in Georgia:
conditions. Be sure to tell them that you want well-developed thorns! |
