While investing in security systems in Washington, NC, Greenville, NC Outerbanks, NC, Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas is definitely the best way to protect your home, there are still plenty of ways criminals can put your family in danger. From stealing important documents to weaknesses in the design of your home, there are a lot of ways someone could put you in danger. In fact, according to the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Division:
- There were an estimated 354,520 robberies nationwide in 2012. The 2012 estimated number of robberies decreased 0.1 percent from the 2011 estimate and 20.1 percent from the 2008 estimate.
- In 2012, robberies accounted for an estimated $414 million in losses
- The average dollar value of property stolen per reported robbery was $1,167
Think about what that means for your financial future. Luckily, installing a security system isn’t the only thing you can do. Here are 3 tips to safeguard your home.
1. Keep Your Mail Safe
Mail theft is a huge problem because unsecured mailboxes are easy targets. The theft of checks, credit card offers, and personal information can often be more damaging than a simple home robbery.
According to Bureau of Justice,
“In 2014, the most common type of identity theft was the unauthorized misuse or attempted misuse of an existing account—experienced by 16.4 million persons. Victims may have experienced multiple types of identity theft. An estimated 8.6 million victims experienced the fraudulent use of a credit card, 8.1 million experienced the unauthorized or attempted use of existing bank accounts and 1.5 million victims experienced other types of existing account theft, such as misuse or attempted misuse of an existing telephone, online or insurance account.”
The best way to prevent this is with a secure mailbox. With a secure mailbox, as soon as mail is dropped in, it is locked in the mailbox. Then, only you can access it with the key. That way your mail and identity remains safe.
2. Look Before You Open the Door
Install a small peephole on your door so you can know who is coming before you open the door. In the same way that there is a right security system and a wrong one for your Greenville, NC home, you need the right kind of peephole. Make sure to install a wide-angle peephole so you can see the full situation before you open the door. You should be able to find one at your local hardware store. You can install it just like a standard peephole—just drill a hole from each side and screw it in.
3. All Your Entrances Need to Be Secure
Chances are, if a criminal is breaking into your home, they aren’t going to be using your front door. That’s why it’s important to secure windows, sliding doors and any other possible way to get in. For example, if you have a double hung window, secure it with pin locks. In addition, if you live in a first level apartment you should secure the sliding door even further than the built in lock. The Family Handyman has some great tips to secure those weak spots in your home.
Need More Security Help in Washington, NC?
If you don’t already, you should have the support of East Coast Security Systems in your Washington, NC home. We don’t offer just alarms but video surveillance so you can always know what’s happening in your home. To talk about your security system feel free to request a quote or contact us at (866) 818-2221.