Layering Home Security Protection In West Virginia

Becoming the owner of a residence marks a major milestone, as it requires years of hard work and savings. Most households then go on to invest a great deal in electronics and appliances, while heirlooms further increase the value of what is inside. Just one burglary can wipe out these belongings and destroy your sense of safety. If you want to keep your West Virginia place protected, be sure to address each of the four layers involved in creating home security.

Prevent and Deter through Design. Industrial buildings and warehouses often put up barbed wire and metal fences to cover this area, but there is no need to take such drastic measures for a residential property. If you live in a high-traffic area, a visually-pleasing fence may be appropriate. However, if you do not want to completely enclose your place, there are ways to discourage criminals from getting close to windows and doors in the first place. Increase the visibility of main entryways from the street and plant prickly bushes under first-floor windows that could be opened. Decals on your window panes and signposts in the front lawn announcing the presence of a home alarm system also help deter burglars.

Establish Mechanical Access Control. Locks are at the heart of the secondary layer of home security. Front and back doors should have state-of-the-art locks that prevent burglars from breaking in with simple tools such as crowbars. When evaluating choices, be sure to pick a model that locks automatically when you leave. Although you might have some unplanned lock-outs as household members get used to the new locks, making the adjustment ensures that no one can inadvertently leave the door unlocked. Just be sure that you have left a copy of the key with a trusted neighbor or friend.

Invest in Intrusion Detection. Deterrence and locking up are essential steps to take, but they only go so far. If the protection you establish is all bark and no bite, your place will remain susceptible to break-ins by hardened criminals. Installing a monitored home alarm system satisfies this deficiency. It involves putting up motion detectors, which are capable of picking up on possible intruders. Infrared technology detects alterations in ambient temperature, which are then compared against body mass measurements. The information is sent to a centrally-located control unit that maintains continuous contact with a call center, permitting round-the-clock monitoring. If a burglary is suspected, the company contacts law enforcement authorities, giving them time to dispatch police and catch the thief in action.

Round Out Protection with Video. Depending on the size and location of your West Virginia residence, this fourth layer may or may not be necessary. Larger properties with many valuables benefit most from the installation of home security cameras. In addition, if the distance to the nearest police station is substantial, video recordings are particularly useful. The cost of closed-circuit television has dropped significantly in recent years. Online monitoring options are also quite accessible, ensuring that any household that needs it can create a multi-layered defense against intruders.