According to Good Housekeeping 2013, too many break-ins are preventable.
Quiz Question #1: When are intruders most likely to break into your home?
A. July and August
B. April and May
C. December and January
Answer: (A) thieves like to strike in the summer when most people go on vacation. Home burglaries go up a bit in July and August. That doesn't mean you can be careless during the other months ... especially in December ... when electronics boxes by the curbside are signaling new, expensive toys. Hold the packaging in your garage until pickup day ... or take the packaging to a neighborhood recycling center or drop off.
Quiz Question #2: Keeping a light on for the entire time you are out of town will deter burglars.
A. True
B. False
Answer: (B) leaving the lights on can actually alert them to the fact that you are not at home. Instead, use timers on different lamps or even on a TV to make it look as if someone is inside the house. Another tip is to not allow your mail or newspapers to pile up on your porch. Putting a hold on your mail is simple. You can either go to the post office or you can register online at www.usps.com. Also avoid letting your garbage sit out for a few days awaiting pickup after you have left.
Quiz Question #3: a deadbolt is the best type of lock that you can have on your doors.
A. True
B. False
Answer: (A) a deadbolt is usually the safest option; but if you didn't change the lock when you moved in, spare keys could be floating around. Also the standard screws that secure the strike plate (the part of the doorframe that the deadbolt slides into) are only about 1-inch long, making the door vulnerable to being kicked in. Replace them with 3-inch screws to help ensure a better defense.
Quiz Question #4: What height should shrubs be to deter intruders?
A. 3-4 feet high
B. 5-6 feet high
C. 7-8 feet high
Answer: (A) that is the perfect height: tall enough to make getting close to the house difficult for a burglar but short enough so he can't hide behind them. Neighbors can also see over these shrubs into your house or yard ... which is a bonus deterrent. For extra intimidation, plant thorny bushes.
Quiz Question #5: You definitely need a home alarm system ...
A. ... if you live in a high-crime area.
B. ... in any kind of neighborhood.
C. ... never! They're just not worth the money.
Answer: (B) police say having a loud alarm (even if it's not connected to your local precinct) is a good idea. It attracts attention ... exactly what burglars don't want. Home-improvement stores typically carry inexpensive options ($10 and up per window) that sound when windows are jostled.
Quiz Question #1: When are intruders most likely to break into your home?
A. July and August
B. April and May
C. December and January
Answer: (A) thieves like to strike in the summer when most people go on vacation. Home burglaries go up a bit in July and August. That doesn't mean you can be careless during the other months ... especially in December ... when electronics boxes by the curbside are signaling new, expensive toys. Hold the packaging in your garage until pickup day ... or take the packaging to a neighborhood recycling center or drop off.
Quiz Question #2: Keeping a light on for the entire time you are out of town will deter burglars.
A. True
B. False
Answer: (B) leaving the lights on can actually alert them to the fact that you are not at home. Instead, use timers on different lamps or even on a TV to make it look as if someone is inside the house. Another tip is to not allow your mail or newspapers to pile up on your porch. Putting a hold on your mail is simple. You can either go to the post office or you can register online at www.usps.com. Also avoid letting your garbage sit out for a few days awaiting pickup after you have left.
Quiz Question #3: a deadbolt is the best type of lock that you can have on your doors.
A. True
B. False
Answer: (A) a deadbolt is usually the safest option; but if you didn't change the lock when you moved in, spare keys could be floating around. Also the standard screws that secure the strike plate (the part of the doorframe that the deadbolt slides into) are only about 1-inch long, making the door vulnerable to being kicked in. Replace them with 3-inch screws to help ensure a better defense.
Quiz Question #4: What height should shrubs be to deter intruders?
A. 3-4 feet high
B. 5-6 feet high
C. 7-8 feet high
Answer: (A) that is the perfect height: tall enough to make getting close to the house difficult for a burglar but short enough so he can't hide behind them. Neighbors can also see over these shrubs into your house or yard ... which is a bonus deterrent. For extra intimidation, plant thorny bushes.
Quiz Question #5: You definitely need a home alarm system ...
A. ... if you live in a high-crime area.
B. ... in any kind of neighborhood.
C. ... never! They're just not worth the money.
Answer: (B) police say having a loud alarm (even if it's not connected to your local precinct) is a good idea. It attracts attention ... exactly what burglars don't want. Home-improvement stores typically carry inexpensive options ($10 and up per window) that sound when windows are jostled.
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