A casual conversation with a friend led to a brief discussion of a crime that had recently been committed in the area. I found myself saying, “if it had been me, I would have done so and so.” A couple of days later, I got to thinking about what home security advice I would give to other people if asked.
We all pretty much have our own ideas when it comes to keeping our families and homes safe. I am guessing we all want the same thing – safety and security – but go about it in different ways. So ask yourself the same question. What would be your home security advice to others?
3 Reasonable Suggestions
Vivint Smart Home ran a survey among 1,000 Americans earlier with the goal of better understanding their thoughts on home security. The survey asked questions about home security costs, the most effective home security devices, and even some of the myths people believe about home security.
When asked about the advice they would give others, survey respondents returned a variety of answers. Here are just three of them:
1. Lock the Doors and Be Careful of Social Media
One of the respondents, a 32-year-old apartment dweller, advised that people lock all their windows and doors when traveling. He also advised being careful of social media, especially in the sense of not posting about your travel online. He advised only telling people you trust about your plans.
2. Pick a Security Company
A 39-year-old house dweller said she would advise others to install home security. She specifically mentioned researching and picking a home security company that suits a person’s needs and budget. She also mentioned knowing the differences between professional installation and DIY.
3. Change the Batteries in Wireless Devices
Last but not least was a 66-year-old house dweller who said he would advise consumers to replace the batteries in their wireless security devices on a regular schedule. He cautioned against waiting for them to fail. That makes sense. If your batteries go out and you do not have fresh ones to replace them, your wireless devices will not work.
It is More Than Just One Thing
If I were giving home security advice to other people, my starting point would be that staying safe involves more than just one thing. In other words, installing a home security system is a good starting point, but it is not enough. Home security systems are tools. Yet they do fail. They can also be defeated by clever criminals who know how they work.
Being secure is more of a lifestyle than a single practice or activity. It is a way of thinking rather than a piece of equipment. I believe the single most important thing people can do to increase their own security and safety is to adopt a safety-first mindset. But even that is not enough on its own.
Criminals Prey on Easy Targets
The tendency among criminals is to prey on easy targets. Burglars look for houses that are easy to get into. Car thieves look for cars that are left unlocked and are easily hotwired. That is the way it is across the entire spectrum of crime.
What criminals do not like are people who pay attention. They don’t like it when potential victims make perpetrating crime difficult. So for my money, it’s best to employ every strategy I can to make a criminal’s life as difficult as possible. If I can make victimizing me too hard to be worthwhile, I greatly increase the chances of not being victimized. So there is my advice.
