Lights, Cameras, Safety

Your home is supposed to be your safe haven, a place where you can relax and let your guard down. But the reality is the world isn't always nice. There are criminals out there. You read about them in the newspaper and hear about them on TV.

There are, however, many things you can do to restore your peace of mind and help keep your family safe.

As October marks National Crime Prevention Month, now is an ideal time to take steps to maintain your oasis of peace.

"Building layers of security is a great way to keep your home as safe as possible. Start on the outer parts and work in," said Deborah Hanson, director of external affairs for First Alert, a company that specializes in safety and security equipment. "Safety starts in the neighborhood, so at the very least, get to know your neighbors and their schedules. Warn trusted neighbors when you'll be away and ask them to help keep watch -- and offer to do the same for them."

The next step would be to add layers such as security fence, security door and window guards.

"One of the easiest things to do is to remember to lock your doors and windows -- especially at night. In addition, window guards are available to help keep intruders out and even just a lockable screen door means there is an extra layer of security around your home," she said.

The U.S. Department of Justice's latest statistics show that more than 3.5 million homes fell victim to burglaries and more than half of those were accomplished through a weakly protected door or window. In fact, Consumer Reports' statistics showed that in more than half of the reported break-ins intruders were easily able to gain access to the home because a door or window was left unlocked.

Once points of entry are locked, you can add extra protection through alarm systems and cameras.

Jon Perry, senior vice president of technology for Sting Alarm in Henderson, said alarm systems are one of the best ways to secure your home. And, be sure to have a sign out front stating you have an alarm and keep it armed and operating.

"Just having an alarm sign in front of your house is a good deterrent," he said, adding that intruders are more likely to strike a home without an alarm system if they had to choose between one that was protected and one that was not.

"The biggest part is just deterring the criminal from choosing your house," he said.

Summerlin resident and local Realtor Avi Van-Door said having an alarm system on his home makes him feel safer and more secure.

Although he has never personally experienced a break-in, he has heard of several incidents recently that prompted him to upgrade his system.

Equally as important as having the clearly visible sign noting that your home is monitored by an alarm company is making sure any cameras are visible.

"It's better to see them; they're a visual deterrent, said Sting President Jonathan Fine.

And seeing is the operative word. Perry said it's important to make sure the exterior of your home is well lit, especially at night, and it's helpful if there are visible signs that someone is home, such as a light or radio or television on.

Fine added that technology has advanced so much in the past few years that people are able to arm their home alarm systems, as well as control light and temperatures through their smartphones.

"With a single click you can turn on perimeter lights or random lights within your home," he said.

"Security in the home has become more about home automation," Fine said, noting the phone, cable, lights, thermostat and alarm can all be integrated into one system. "Using the alarm panel makes sense. It's the last thing you touch when you leave your home and the first thing you touch when you come home."

Inside the home, there are other precautions and deterrents, such as protecting your valuables inside a safe.

"Inside your home, keep your valuables in safes, preferably in a hard-to-reach area like a closet," Hanson said. "Once you allow people you don't know well into your home, like service people, housekeepers, etc., it's vulnerable to crime. A safe can help guard against stealing."

Although many safes are heavy and hard to carry away, there are ways to secure them to the floor or install them in the wall to ensure they stay put.

As an added bonus, some safes also can protect valuables against fire or flood waters, Hanson added.