Protect Your Home From Break-Ins!

Recently in San Francisco, we’ve been hearing about break-ins, specifically stories of burglars entering through the garage door.  Here are a few quick tips for keeping your home safe:

When you think of how to protect your home from invasion, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Probably a quality home security system -- and you're not wrong. Securing the exterior of your home is the first line of defense against burglars. While installing a security system is one way of doing this, there are other steps to reinforce your safety.

One of the greatest sources of vulnerability for the garage door is the quick-release mechanism. A burglar can break a window on the door, reach in, and pull the release device. They can also use a coat hanger to fish through the top of the door if it’s slightly ajar, grab the release, and open the door easily. You can strengthen your garage door by replacing it with one without glass panels. If that’s not an option, you can reinforce the glass with protective film or metal bars.

One of your greatest security measures is deterrence. Installing a camera or a motion-activated light will prevent most people from wanting to go anywhere near your home. Eliminate any potential hiding spots by keeping shrubs and bushes trimmed and low to the ground. The less opportunity for burglars to take cover, the more likely they'll be caught in the act or deterred from even trying to break-in. 

On average, 3.7 million homes are broken into each year. When an intruder enters your home, they don't just take your belongings -- they also rob you of your sense of security. (ADT)

As always if you need anymore advice or have further questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me!