Troubleshooting Your Home’s or Business’s Security Vulnerabilities

There aren’t really thieves for hire that you can find in the Yellow Pages to test your property’s physical security, but you can try to do this on your own with some critical thinking and maybe some help from friends.

Start by putting yourself in the mindset of someone who wants to get away with valuables without getting caught.

Consequences. In most cases a consequence for stealing will be prosecution and jail time, but it can also be injury.

Barbed wire is an example of a type of deterrent that may cause injury to intruders. Thieves generally won’t try to climb a fence lined with barbwire unless they are really motivated and feel like they have the time and low visibility to cut the wire or otherwise circumvent it. Dogs are another example – if a burglar thinks getting bit by a territorial dog protecting its owner and their property is a real possibility, chances are good that they will move on to a more vulnerable house.

When it comes to dissuading burglars with the fear of getting caught, lighting and cameras are some of the most effective deterrents. Is your front door and backdoor adequately lit and visible from the road? Although tall hedges blocking the view of your front door can be nice from a privacy perspective, it does present a certain security weakness. Someone trying to break in will be able to do so without being seen by neighbors or passersby.

Motion-detecting lights can be useful in this regard. Nothing makes someone who is trying to be stealthy feel more vulnerable and exposed than suddenly being hit by a spotlight.

Visible security cameras can have a similar effect. Although hidden security cameras have their uses, they don’t have the added benefit of acting as a deterrent for theft. If a burglar sees a security camera, they will immediately know that their picture is on record and if their crime is discovered, someone will come looking for them to hold them accountable.

Locks and windows are also important. There are a variety of locks and windows that can help prevent break ins. Window bars on first floor windows may offer some protection from burglars who think they can just break the glass and climb inside. There are also polycarbonate, Plexiglas and reinforced glass windows that are specifically designed to prevent break ins. You can also cut dowels or put some other kind of rod or stick in window tracks to ensure they can only open part way, making the maximum opening size too small for someone to climb through.

Window alarms are also effective methods for securing windows. These can take the form of sensors that detect when a window has been opened or glass break sensors that will go off if the window is smashed or broken.

In terms of securing doors, there are a couple different effective options. Security doors can be useful for several reasons. Many of them are perforated so when it’s nice outside you can leave your front door open and just have the security door locked and closed, allowing air to circulate in from outside. They are also much harder or virtually impossible to kick in due to the way they’re mounted and their heavy steel construction.

There are also many potential door locking solutions that can help reinforce your doors. Smart locks can’t be picked by traditional methods but depending on the model and its functionality there could be other complications.

Deadbolts are generally considered a key aspect of your door’s resistance to break ins. A solid deadbolt that can’t be easily picked or drilled is always ideal. There’s also added security in doors that swing outward rather than inward, as these doors can’t be as easily kicked in.

Another thing to keep in mind as a security weakness are doors with windows mounted in them. A window in a door can be broken and a thief can stick their arm through to unlock the deadbolt and handle lock. Having a keyed deadbolt on both the inside and outside of these doors can prevent burglars from being able to unlock a deadbolt just by breaking out the glass.