No one wants to see D’s on their report card. But when it comes to home security, D’s are the key. Unfortunately, when people think about securing their home, they often don’t take a broad enough approach. In this guide, we outline how to secure your home using the 6 D’s principles: Deter, Delay, Deny, Detect, Dispatch and Document. This will hopefully broaden your idea of home security. And, ultimately, make your home safer.
Deter
Deterrence is the first principle to consider. Deterring a criminal will avoid much cost, loss, and hassle. After all, prevention is better than cure. That’s why deterrence is foundational to securing your home.
How to you secure your home by deterring criminals
Signage
The first idea is to let criminals know that you are watching. If a criminal gets the impression that you are security conscious, they are more likely to pass by your home and move on to the next.
Even if you don’t have a security system, or a dog, a warning sign can go a long way. “Beware of the dog” signs will make a criminal think twice. Signs stating that your property is under surveillance or monitored will too. These are simple and cheap ways to deter burglars. Signs can be placed on perimeters, walls, or gates. Or you get stickers for windows. Better yet, ensure those signs are backed up by a reliable security system.
Obvious Security Devices
Yes, it can be good practice to conceal security devices like cameras in order to catch someone red-handed. But, a conspicuous security camera can act as a great deterrent in the same way a sign does. And the camera doesn’t have to be real either. A fake camera, if it’s realistic looking, can be a cheap way to add some extra security through deterrence. Of course, a fake camera will do only that, deter. A wireless security camera for example can act as a deterrent and provide detection and documentation as part of your home security solution.
Outdoor Lighting
Your typical criminal enjoys going unnoticed and that usually means operating in the shadows. Lighting up your property can be a major deterrent. It tells a criminal that their actions will be far more noticeable and obvious.
Outdoor lighting can also provide peace of mind for homeowners. When returning home after dark, outdoor lighting can make the area safer. Anything suspicious can be more easily identified.
Motion sensor lights are also a great way to deter criminals. These are sometimes known as scare lights because they do just that. When the motion sensor detects movement, the light triggers. And hopefully, this scares the criminal off. The act of the light coming on draws attention to the area, as well as flooding the spot with light.
Better Boundaries
Having adequate walls, fences and gates along the boundary of your property can also act as a deterrent. These present a criminal with an obstacle. And every obstacle that’s added to their path will be a deterrent to their plans. Some people will add thorny bushes along perimeters or under windows to deter criminals. On the extreme end, I have seen some folks install razor wire, although that penitentiary look isn’t very desirable!
Sirens
Another great deterrent is a siren attached to a security system. When a device is triggered, the siren will ring. These are usually loud. One located outdoors is even better, and the best will not just be loud, but annoying too. Again, this draws attention to the location. An outdoor motion sensor attached to your alarm system that triggers the siren will definitely deter burglars from continuing any further.
Delay
The next principle in securing your home is delay. Every second counts during a burglary. The more time a burglar has, the more stuff they can take, the more damage they can do, and the more likely they can get away. It only takes a few minutes for a smash-and-grab event. So, adding obstacles to the burglar’s efforts causes delays, and those delays matter to the burglar. If delayed, the burglar will likely give up before any theft or damage is done.
By frustrating an intruder, they will have to draw more attention to themselves. And that results in people noticing. For example, if a door is difficult to open, the intruder might employ extreme measures to break through the door. This will be noisy and could result in either the intruder scaring themselves and running away or alerting neighbors or the occupants.
How to secure your home by delaying criminals?
There are several ways to delay an intruder. These are all physical improvements you can make. Some you can do yourself. Some may require a professional. But, they all provide a solid solution for securing your home.
Use Strong Locks
Installing strong locks on doors, and then actually using them, can make a major difference. A burglar will look for simple ways to enter. A door or window is the usual ways an intruder will test to gain access.
Install Reinforced Doors
Your front door is an obvious point of entry. If an intruder will check out the door and if it appears weak enough, they can jimmy it, remove it from the frame, or even break it down. That’s why having reinforced doors is a good idea. There are also other devices you can place on your doors to strengthen them. These include
Walls, Fences & Gates
Install walls, fences and gates that are more difficult to bypass. Again, these can cause a delay in the burglar’s quest toward your home. And that delay can be significant enough to allow their detection or their frustration so they give up.
Double-Lock Windows
Burglars are opportunistic. They will try windows to see if they are left unlocked or if they appear weak. A loose window with a wiggle can be a great opportunity for an intruder to force it open. By installing a secondary lock, like a pin-lock, the window becomes that much harder to force open.
Invest in Impact-Resistant Windows
This is a majorly expensive option. But, impact-resistant windows will really frustrate a burglar looking to smash through the glass. Plus, these windows have the added benefit of providing protection from high winds.
Install Security film on Windows
A poor-mans alternative to impact-resistant windows is to install security film on the glass. This can be done (carefully) yourself using peel and stick sheets. As with the impact-resistant glass, you now have windows that are more likely to defy smashing efforts from criminals. Security film can also have the benefit of reducing UV light penetration into the home, providing energy savings.
Lock Outbuildings & Garages
This may be obvious, but outbuildings and garages are a quick target for a burglar because they are often neglected by homeowners. Since they are not attached to the main house, they can become an afterthought. Make sure you lock sheds, barns and your garage door. Plus, sheds and garages are a treasure trove of tools ideal to break in with )ladders, screwdrivers, drills, hammers, etc)
Deny
This can be very difficult, but denying an intruder access to your valuables, is another layer of home security. Given enough time, a criminal can gain access to your home. Delaying them will possibly deter them, but it also provides more chances to detect them and potentially catch them. However, a persistent burglar can overcome perimeter security measures. Unfortunately, this means that damage has already been done.
What you can do is deny them access to your valuables – the things most important to you. These could be things with pure financial value like cash or precious metals. They could be those with emotional value like jewellery or photos. And for sure, they can include valuable documents like house deeds, insurance documents, mortgage contracts and passports.
How to secure your home by denying access to your valuables
Get a safe
A safe is a great way to store valuables and deny an intruder. Get the biggest safe you can afford and which fits your location. Make sure it’s fire-proof as well and is properly bolted to the floor or walls.
Hide Valuables in Plain Sight
Other than a traditional safe, there are diversion safes. These make a great way to easily access your valuables, but keep them in something that an intruder does not suspect. These can be hollowed-out books, cans, hairbrushes, and a ton of other everyday items. You can purchase these diversion safes or fabricate your own.
Detect
The principle of detection is what most people think about first when it comes to home security. They typically think of a home security system or a security camera system. Home security systems are a great form of detection. But alarm systems will detect only once an intruder has bypassed the perimeter of your property or broken into your home. However, detecting a trespasser or intruder is crucial in securing your home and property.
How to secure your home through detection
Install an Alarm System
A good home security system is a worthwhile investment. It can enhance your home’s security and your peace of mind. You will want to ensure that your alarm system comprises a variety of devices.
Motion Sensors
These devices include motion sensors that trigger when infrared sensors detect motion. Ideally, a motion sensor should be located in corridors of your home and in larger spaces, like living rooms.
Door & Window Sensors
Door and window sensors are also an important component. These detect when doors and windows are opened. It’s advisable to have sensors on your main entry points, like the front door, back door, garage door and sliding glass doors. That way you will know when someone is able to gain entry when the system is armed. When the system is armed and detects an open door, the alarm will sound.
Glass Break Sensors
Glass break sensors are useful for areas where you have windows or sliding glass doors. These sense the frequency of breaking glass.
Environmental Sensors
But there’s more to securing a home with an alarm system. Many systems offer other devices to promote home safety. These include smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, heat sensors and even flood sensors.
Other Alarm System Benefits
There are many decent home security alarm systems out there. Some require professional installation, others are super-simple; you can install them yourself in less than an hour.
It’s also worth noting that many new security systems offer home automation integration. That means smart devices, such as lights, smart locks, and even a garage door opener, can be integrated with those in your alarm system. The possibilities blow up!
Make sure you post up any security signs that the security company offers. Stickers, yard signs, etc. A security sign is a great deterrent and can significantly enhance your home security.
Finally, in addition to detection and safety, an alarm system can reduce your homeowner’s insurance! Yay!
Invest in Security Cameras
Home security cameras have risen in popularity in recent years as the costs have dropped, the technology has improved and the options to do it yourself have opened up. Security cameras are great detection devices and provide another layer to your home security.
Personally speaking, one of the best security investments I have made, has been in wireless security cameras. You can select a wired system too, but wireless cameras will provide a lot of flexibility and reduce installation labor, not to mention unsightly wires.
Security cameras can act as an alarm system. Outdoor security cameras can alert you when someone comes into view. Smart technology (artificial intelligence) can even distinguish between animals, vehicles and people. This can reduce false alarm signals. Cameras can be “armed” for certain periods of the day or night, and triggered only when there is motion in the scene. Make sure you get cameras with good night vision- it can make a huge difference. All these features make cameras a really useful form of security detection.
The benefit of cameras over alarm sensors is that they provide greater context. You can see who or what is triggering the alarms.
Many of the newer models also come with spotlights. These can act as scare lights, triggered by motion. But they also provide color night images.
Dispatch
Dispatch is when a security system calls for assistance after an alarm is triggered. When a security event takes place, you need to receive support quickly. The quicker the response, the more likely the culprits will be apprehended!
How to secure your home through alarm dispatch
And really, the whole point of an alarm system is that you are alerted when there is an alarm condition. You have two options with an alarm system. Professional monitoring or self-monitoring. Some security systems will offer both, or just one.
When your security system receives an alarm condition, it sends a signal. If your system is professionally monitored, that signal will be sent to a central station. They will have the details of where and when the trigger occurred and will notify you. Depending on the outcome of your communication with them, they will then call the police and have them dispatched on your behalf.
Self-monitoring is where the signals from your alarm system are sent to you. You will receive a notification on your smartphone which will include the specifics of the alarm. You can then check into the incident further and if necessary respond by calling the emergency services.
Professional monitoring with a security company with an established reputation can be a good idea. There are many to choose from. Do your research before installing an alarm system. Yes, professional monitoring will cost you a monthly subscription. But ultimately, it’s like having someone always at the ready to bat on your team.
Document
If you have ever been the victim of a break-in, you know how emotional it can be. Your privacy has been violated, and of course there can also be significant physical loss of valuables, plus any damage to think about repairing. It’s draining. But, time is key. Having the right information on hand to give to law enforcement and insurance companies can make a tremendous difference. That’s where documentation comes in. This describes the evidence that you can provide about where, how and when the criminals acted and what they stole.
How to secure your home through documentation
This is where a security alarm system and security camera systems can be invaluable. These both can provide helpful details about the event, with timestamps, showing the sequence. Camera footage can help build a profile of the criminal, how many there were, and perhaps even a description of their appearance, their clothing, and even their getaway vehicle.
You may also want to consider keeping a record of valuables in your home. This could be a spreadsheet. You want to have photos of the items, their purchase date and other details like serial numbers. This can be a huge help after a robbery and detailing losses with the police and insurance adjusters.
The Final Score: How To Secure Your Home with the 6 D’s
When security is mentioned, the first image in people’s minds is an alarm system. But the reality is, alarm systems are but one piece of a wider security system. This security approach can be broken down into six elements, which we refer to as the 6 D’s of home security. Each adds a layer of security to your home, and while it may appear daunting, some of the improvements you can make to build your overall home security are easy and cheap.
So how do you secure your home? When you are assessing your home’s security consider these 6 D’s:
Deter
Prevention is better than cure. That’s why taking simple steps to deter criminals from attempting to breach your property are so worthwhile. Use signs, lighting and fortify walls and gates and access points with thorny shrubs. Include a sign to beware of the dogs! Anything that makes a criminal think twice!
Delay
Similar to deterrence, delaying a criminal in their plan can frustrate them so they give up. Higher walls, better locks, security film on windows or impact-resistant glass, all these things will make a criminal work harder to get where they want.
Detect
This is where your alarm system and security cameras come into play. These systems detect activity such as movement, whether a door or window is open, if there’s smoke, or even water indicating a flood. Accurate, timely detection means you can respond quickly (see dispatch).
Deny
Deny an intruder access to your most valuable items by keeping them locked away. Invest in a fire-proof safe. Or get creative and use diversions safes.
Dispatch
How are you or law enforcement going to be alerted? Your system should include an idea of how the details of an incident will be dispatched to you or the authorities to act on. Consider an alarm system with self- or professional monitoring services.
Document
Providing evidence of a security breach to law enforcement or insurance companies is necessary. An alarm system and security cameras are the best way to collect and document that evidence. Consider keeping a spreadsheet of your valuables with details. It can be useful should they be stolen.
Be smart and stay safe!