NFIB

Low-Cost Home/Office Security
03/ 12/ 2002


Even if you live in a quiet, safe area, you're probably concerned with the security of your home/office when you leave town for business or pleasure. After all, you're leaving behind not only your home with all its valuable personal contents, but an office that possibly contains thousands of dollars of difficult-to-replace equipment and data. If you live in a high-risk metropolitan area, the concern for security is even greater. Workshop contributor Jeff Moses gives a few tips for safeguarding your premises without spending a fortune.

--Adequate outside lighting goes a long way toward crime prevention at a very reasonable cost. Any of the large home supply dealers (Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, Sears, Montgomery Ward, etc) offers a choice of extra-bright halogen outdoor lighting. Consider installing motion-sensitive lighting that turns on when someone approaches. Many such systems can be purchased for under $100. They're relatively easy to install, and can deter criminals before they even get to the house.

--Install heavy-duty locks and deadbolts to all doors and windows. Thieves like to get into and out of a place quickly. If they see that they'll have trouble accomplishing what they want in quick order, they're likely to go somewhere else.

--Within the house, use timers to turn lights off and on at random times. This gives the appearance that someone is home even when you're gone.

--Install a motion-detecting alarm that emits a loud sound when tripped. This usually causes thieves to exit immediately because it attracts attention from neighbors. More costly is an alarm hookup that notifies police or private security personnel of intruders into your home.

--Infrared-based alarms placed at strategic areas of the house can detect intruders through changes in heat. These are less likely to cause false alarms, and can purchased at reasonable prices.

--When setting up an alarm system, work with the experts at the store where you buy the equipment. They'll help you meet the unique needs of your home/office. For instance, if you have pets that will be staying behind while you're gone, you'll need to design a special system that isn't tripped by movements below certain heights.

--Install a video camera outside entrance ways. More expensive models can be triggered by motion-sensing devices. Less expensive models allow continuous recording. If nothing happens while you're gone, you just re-wind the tape and use it again. If something does happen, the video may give police valuable information that will help apprehend any unwanted visitors.

--You might consider installing a fake camera. There are so many "easy" houses to vandalize that thieves usually will avoid houses at which there is any chance of being filmed.

--Other commonsense security measures include: have a dog that barks whenever people come near the house (thieves hate this); put valuables in a hidden safe or in a bank safe deposit vault; install bars on lower-level doors and windows; and make sure all outside indicators of your absence (newspapers, mail, etc.) are picked up regularly by neighbors.

--Whenever possible, ask a neighbor to watch your house while you're gone. But a neighbor will never be able to supply 24-hour watchfulness, so you'll need to take command of your own security. Fortunately, you don't have to spend a fortune doing it, but a little extra precaution will give you great peace of mind.

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