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We can never have enough plugs for our dozens of juice-hungry devices. Multiple power strips are pretty much essential.

But despite being commonplace in the home, these little plastic gadgets can be extremely dangerous when used improperly or when they malfunction. Surge protectors can actually cause electrical fires. According to the ESFI, over 3,300 home fires originate in extension cords and power strips each year, killing 50 people and injuring 270 more.

After hearing harrowing stories from our customers of burn-outs and near-catastrophes stemming from extension cords, we want to make sure everyone knows the best practices they should follow to minimize the risks.

Here are the home safety tips you need to know about power strips to protect your belongings from fire:

1. Know the limits of your power strip.

Your power strip can only draw so much electricity without getting overloaded. When you overload your powerstrip, that’s when you get the sparks a-flyin’ and in a matter of seconds your upholstery is going up in flames.

Usually, the manufacturer will clarify how much their power strip can handle on the package somewhere with a series of numbers.

For example, the “AmazonBasics 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, 790 Joule – White” has the following specifications:

“AC 15A, 125V, 60Hz, 1875W”

The important number is the number of watts this thing can handle: 1875. If you draw more than 1875 watts, you’ll overload the power strip. If you’re lucky, you just end up with nasty burn marks and a molten plastic mess. Others have lost their entire houses to fires started by power strips. To be safe, you should never push your circuits to the limit.

2. Know how much power your devices are using.

Most devices like phone chargers, TVs, clock radios, hair dryers, and laptop computers won’t come anywhere close to drawing that much power, so if you’re mostly just plugging in smaller appliances into your surge protectors, you’re probably pretty safe.

Power-hungry machines like:

• window air conditioners
• dehumidifiers
• space heaters
• high-end gaming/productivity PCs

all have the potential to overwhelm a cheap power strip that’s already under a lot of strain because they don’t just draw a lot of power, they draw it continuously (over 3 hours of use).

Are power strips a fire hazard?

Power strips can be a major fire hazard under certain circumstances. Remember that when using devices like these that draw continuous power, the maximum load your power strip can take will be reduced by about 20 percent, so your 1875-watt power strip can only handle 1400 watts of continuous power safely.

Before you plug any of these appliances into a power strip, glance over the packaging or do some research on the manufacturer website to make sure the math checks out. Avoid plugging multiple power-hungry devices into the same power strip. When in doubt, consult an expert.

Don’t daisy-chain your power strips/extension cords together.

A floor covered in cable spaghetti isn’t just ugly; this kind of daisy chains set-up is a serious fire hazard.

The wires inside power strips tend to be cheap and lower quality than the wires you find in your walls, so when you start chaining power strips, you lose a lot of electricity capacity in the process. Plugging in an appliance with high power usage will heat up those low-quality wires until they burst into flames.

3. Get a smoke detector

The best way to stop a fire is to catch it before it gets out of control. We can’t always be at home to watch over our power strips 24/7, so for the moments when we’re not around, smoke detectors can pick up the slack. They’ll give you peace of mind about other fire hazards too.

Smoke detectors are great for protecting your home, but fires caused by power strips are hardly the only safety threat in the home. Smoke detectors are most effective when combined with a security system and alarm monitoring to ensure fast response times from police and fire departments. Talk to a security company near you to learn more about what steps you can take to protect your home.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous gas that can be found inside your home. The scary thing about carbon dioxide is that it is odorless, tasteless and colorless, which means it cannot be detected by the human senses.

CO is created by the incomplete combustion of fuels and when exposed, the CO molecules will displace the oxygen in your body and lead to poisoning. It’s not just a hazard to your health; carbon monoxide is deadly.

Why Carbon Monoxide is Dangerous

Since we cannot see, taste or smell carbon monoxide, it is impossible to know you are inhaling it until you begin to become ill. The symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of the flu, so you may just think you’re sick with a virus rather than suffering from CO poisoning.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that around 400 people in the US fall victim to CO poisoning and die every year. It is vital that CO detectors be installed inside your home alongside home security systems and smoke detectors in order to protect yourself and your family.

(Source: CDC)

Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is created whenever a material is burned. So, homes with fuel burning appliances such as stoves, ovens, and heaters are more likely to be at risk for CO issues and exposure.

Some of the most common sources of CO in our homes include:

• Gas space heaters
• Furnaces and chimneys
• Clothes dryers
• Water heaters
• Gas stoves
• Generators
• Ovens
• Motor vehicles, especially if parked in an attached garage
• Tobacco smoke
• Grills
• Power tools and lawn equipment

With so many sources of carbon monoxide in or near the home, it’s crucial that you know what steps to take to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

What are Safe Carbon Monoxide Levels?

The general rule is the CO levels inside should not exceed CO levels outside. Depending on where you live, the outside CO levels will differ. Typically, outdoor CO levels are lower in rural areas and are higher in more urban areas due to higher population density and heavier traffic.

The federal standard for CO in outdoor air is 9 parts per million. If CO levels inside your home are higher than the outside air, this could indicate a problem inside your home and you should address this problem immediately.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Since CO poisoning is preventable, it is important to know and understand how to protect your family against its deadly fumes.

Proper Ventilation

Find out which appliances in your home are fuel-burning and to make sure that they are vented and maintained properly.

Additionally, you should have all these appliances checked by a certified professional on a yearly basis to ensure that they are functioning correctly. It is also wise to know the warning signs to check for yourself. If you experience any of the following, contact a professional right away:

• Fallen soot in your fireplace
• Lack of an upward draft in your chimney
• Excess moisture on windows and walls
• Discolored or damaged bricks at the top of your chimney

These can all indicate that your fuel-burning appliance has issues and that you need to call a professional contractor right away.

A frequent culprit of major CO emissions is your car. It can be tempting to start your vehicle inside your garage, especially in the winter time, to warm it up before heading out.

If your garage is attached to your home, do not leave the car running while inside your garage. Back your vehicle out of the garage if it is running to avoid CO gas from entering your home.

It is also important to make sure that your tailpipe is not blocked or obstructed in any way. An obstructed tailpipe will result in CO entering the interior of the car and this could be life-threatening.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector

The number one thing that you can do to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning is to install and maintain properly functioning CO detectors in your home. Carbon monoxide detectors are an essential part of any home security system, along with fire protection devices like smoke detectors.

Check your state laws to see what their specific regulations are regarding where and how many CO detectors need to be placed in your home to keep you safe.

• Mass.gov
• Connecticut Public Act No. 13-272
• Ri.gov

You should regularly test your carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work correctly and plan to replace the batteries at least twice a year. Set a reminder on your calendar if you think you won’t remember.

CO detectors typically last for between five and seven years, after which you will want to replace them for optimal performance and that your equipment is up to date with the highest safety standards.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms

Although it is difficult to tell if you are being affected by high levels of CO, it is important to know and understand the symptoms to prevent serious complications and even death.

CO poisoning has been dubbed the “silent killer” because of how difficult it is to detect. Typically, the first indication of CO poisoning is a headache and mild shortness of breath, especially when doing something that requires physical exertion. As exposure continues, your symptoms will increase in intensity; severe headaches, fatigue, nausea and dizziness will ensue.

Overtime, your symptoms related to CO exposure will progress to a stage of confusion, impaired judgment and finally a loss of consciousness.

How to Discern CO Poisoning from the Flu

• Everyone who lives in the home is sick at the same time
• Your symptoms subside when you are away from home
• Your pets are beginning to feel ill as well
• You are not feeling the common body aches and fever that typically come with the flu

If any of the above apply to you, there is a good chance that CO poisoning is the culprit and not the flu.

If you recognize any of these risk factors, it is important that you leave your home as soon as possible and call a professional to get the problem resolved before re-entering your home.

What to do if your Carbon Monoxide Detector goes off

Never ignore a CO detector when it goes off.

• Turn off all appliances.
• Open as many doors and windows as you can
• Leave your home immediately and call 911 or your local fire department.

If no one is reporting feeling ill, but the alarm is going off, it is a good idea to call your local gas company or a certified technician to come to check on things.

Window security bars are an excellent way to secure your home with a strong physical deterrent for a relatively low cost. Your home insurer may also offer you a discount or reduced rate for having bars or other security measured installed on your home.

There are many reasons why you might want to consider installing burglar bars on your windows to protect your home, including;

• High crime/burglary rate in your neighborhood
• Lack of neighborhood watch program
• Basement or ground level windows
• Fear that your home will be broken into
• A lack of home security companies in your area

If any of the above apply to you, you may want to consider installing window bars on your home’s windows to protect your home, yourself and your family.

Types of Window Bars

Burglar bars are basically metal grids that are screwed or bolted onto your window’s framing. There are several options available, from DIY options that you can install yourself to professionally fabricated designs that require professional installation.

Some common types of window bars include:

• Permanent security bars – these are meant to remain in place for long term use.
• Swing away bars – these are hinged for easy window cleaning and emergency escape route use.
• Removable bars – commonly used for residential store fronts where they are placed on the doors or windows at night and removed during the day.

Do Burglar Bars Work?

Yes! Just the sight of a home with barred windows is usually enough to deter burglars from even attempting to break into your home. Most criminals target homes that appear to lack basic security measures like a home security system, allowing them to be in and out in just a few minutes at minimal risk of being caught.

If you live in a neighborhood where safety is an issue, burglar-proofing your windows should be your second priority after you finish reinforcing your door.

Where Should I Install Window Security Bars?

You will want to start by installing bars on the windows that are lowest and that may be obscured by bushes or trees. If you have basement windows, this is usually a good place to start. Your basement windows are down low and usually hidden well.

How Much Will Installation Cost?

The answer to this question will depend on which route you decide to take when installing your window bars; do it yourself or professional installation. It also depends on how many windows there are in your home that you’d like to protect.

If you’re handy with a toolbox and feel confident about installing your own window bars, by all means, save the installation costs and do it yourself. Otherwise, hire a professional.

Smaller Windows

If you are looking to make installing burglar bars a DIY project, you can pick up kits designed for small windows, such as your basement, for around $100-$200 each depending on the quality and design of the bars. These can be installed in about an hour.

Installing window security bars involves mounting a pair of framing brackets on either side of your window. In order to do this, you will need long screws and access to a drill to get the job done right.

Larger Windows/Doors

If you are looking to secure larger windows or doors in your home, it will cost you on average $300-$500 per window for the supplies. If you choose to have them professionally installed, you are looking at adding on another $150ish per window plus the cost of the materials.

Before installing any type of bars on your home’s windows or doors, be sure to check with local codes to see what their requirements and restrictions are for barring windows.

Many local municipalities dictate that the bars need to have a quick-release feature that can be engaged from the inside to allow occupants of the home to escape in the event of a fire or other dangerous situation.

While installing bars on your home’s windows is highly effective at deterring crime, they work best when used in conjunction with a monitored security system. Unlike window bars, a security system is designed to protect you in an emergency by contacting the police automatically, even when you’re not there to respond.

Talk to a security system company near you to see whether window bars, motion detectors, or glass break sensors will be a more cost-effective security solution.

Over the last few years, home improvement gadgets have progressively become more technologically advanced. Today, most designs offer smart home systems that have secondary functions extending well beyond their core or primary intended purposes.

The Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro and the Ecobee4—the latest smart thermostats on the market—serve as prime examples.

Both thermostats are updated models of earlier products from their respective brands, and both offer greater flexibility and finer home climate control compared to their predecessors.

And both are compatible with a wide range of older generation HVAC systems, making their introduction into your home a relatively effortless process.

But how different are they from each other? And how do you choose one product over the other? Keep reading to see which one is best suited to your needs.

Honeywell Lyric T6

What It Does

The Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro thermostat is a smart home temperature control system. More precisely, its primary function is to assess your location and turn on your heating when you’re home, and turn it off when you’re out.

Main Features

One of the biggest advantages of the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro is that is uses the same UWP mounting system as all T Series thermostats. This means the installation process will be fairly simple and quick.

Additionally, you have the option of either setting it up and scheduling the smart thermostat like you would with any other thermostat, or you can manage the thermostat with a Honeywell Home app.

Some of the main selling points of the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro are its connectivity and functionality options, which are as follows:

• Simple Wi-Fi Connectivity. The connection process is easy, and the connection itself is strong. Installers can eliminate the hassle of an installation trip by simply sending customers an email inviting them to complete the connection themselves. This does, however, assume that the user has some degree of technological acumen.

  
  

  Technology isn’t always friendly though, and certainly not to everyone. Miscommunication can lead to frustration, and the promised convenience might end up being an inconvenience. In the end, depending on the capabilities of the people involved, this simplicity can be either a pro or a con.
• Unlimited control regardless of location. This gives users the option to control the thermostat settings from anywhere via a compatible mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.

  This means if you’re watching that match you’ve been looking forward to for months, you don’t have to leave your couch to adjust the thermostat setting. You just have to simply reach for your phone.

• Location-based temperature control. With geo-fencing, you don’t have to manually switch all your home automation products on or off, or rely on a set schedule.

  This feature uses your T6’s sensors to tell when you’ve left home and when you’ve returned. For instance, when you leave your home, the T6 can turn down your heating to save energy.

• Ecosystem integration. The Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro works with Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. This seamless integration allows you to control your system settings from the same app as the other systems if you so choose.

  Moreover, you can instantly adjust the settings of your thermostat by simply talking to Siri. The one caveat to this feature is that to control these settings, your phone has to be close to you so that Siri can hear you.

Functionality

For the sake of simplicity and overall better control, the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro thermostat has three mode settings: “Home,” “Sleep,” and “Away.”

The Sleep mode allows you to set a temperature by specifying at what times the thermostat should be on and when it should be off. In this way, the automatic setting assumes control and you do not need to constantly adjust the settings unless there is a drastic change in the weather.

For both the Home and Away modes, you can set a specific temperature, and the thermostat turns on or off depending on whether or not you are home.

Another option you have is to create your own schedule of when the thermostat should be on and off during the daytime. You can do this by creating identical daily schedules, or designating presets for certain days of the week.

Or, you can have one collective set of settings for weekdays and another for the weekend. But by doing this, you override any location-based automation sequences you may have set up. Any of these options can be useful, you just have to choose the one that’s most convenient for you.

Finally, one of the main selling points of this smart thermostat is its energy savings, as the thermostat heats your home only when someone is in it.

The Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro also offers support for multiple users. That way, everyone in the house can be signed on to the app with their own user account. When the “primary user” goes away, the rest of the family doesn’t have to be stuck with one temperature setting.

Ecobee4

What It Does

Like the T6 Pro, Ecobee’s latest thermostat is a smart home temperature control system that easily replaces your old thermostat. The Ecobee4 comes equipped with a remote sensor (outlined below). In case your home is large enough to warrant more sensors, or you simply want heightened efficiency, you can always purchase more sensors. There is no threat of overloading the system, so you can get as many sensors as you need.

Where the T6 Pro is driven by your location, the Ecobee4 is strongly dependent on the sensors. You can control this function in the following way: simply choose which sensors you want to operate in the comfort settings.

Once this is done, the thermostat will average the readings in these zones and adjust the HVAC system. For example, if you select the sensors in the bedroom, the thermostat will adjust the temperature there to an optimum comfort setting. This saves you from waking up in the middle of the night to make adjustments.

Main Features

The biggest selling point of the Ecobee4 is that while other thermostats like the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro make adjustments by reading the temperature in a single general area, such as the living room, the Ecobee4 relies on its sensors to detect hot or cold spots, and to safely regulate the temperatures in these areas with little input from you.

Other Ecobee4 features are as follows:

• Temperature display. The efficiency of the sensors is such that the thermostat is capable of reading both inside and outside temperatures. Both values are displayed on the screen along with the humidity of the room.
• Built-in Amazon Alexa voice service. This feature allows you to control your thermostat by talking to it. You don’t have to wonder whether your voice command went through; as soon as you say a command, a blue light on the thermostat will immediately blink in response.

  Even better, the Ecobee4 has embedded microphones and a speaker which were designed specifically for far-field voice and sound reception. Due to these features, the Ecobee4 can hear you from across the room. And, you have the option of adjusting the volume.

• Extended smart functions. The Ecobee4 is the perfect embodiment of a smart device designed to function well beyond its core use. The Amazon Alexa feature also comes in handy for other everyday uses, like if you need help finding and following a recipe. You can even set the device to remind you to add selected items to your grocery list; or you can simply command it order them.
  • Mobile device compatibility. You can easily adjust the temperature from the mobile app. The app is compatible with Android and iOS devices, including Apple Watches.
  • Noticeable energy savings. In addition to being able to easily control one’s immediate climate, smart thermostats are popular because they reduce energy bills and your carbon footprint. Because of its sensors, the Ecobee4 is efficient in detecting when people are home.

    This helps the smart system to finetune energy usage and avoid wasting power. The energy savings become more tangible in this way, with an average reduction in energy usage of 23%. For those who want to see exactly how much they’re saving, free energy reports can inform you how much you consume each month.

Functionality

As with the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro, the Ecobee4 has three mode settings: “Home,” “Away,” and “Sleep.” All of these modes can be accessed through the thermostat itself as well as through the website or app. But unlike the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro, the Ecobee4 allows for more flexible schedule settings.

For example, you can set the baseline comfort temperature for each of the three modes, meaning that you can count on the temperature to always be within specified limits. If you go away for an extended period and forget to adjust your settings, you will receive a series of alerts and reminders, and you can remotely make adjustments.

How Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro and Ecobee4 Compare

Whether you get the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro or the Ecobee4 will come down to a few factors. On one hand, as indicated on Amazon, the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro is cheaper than the Ecobee4.

On the other hand, the Ecobee4 has a few functional advantages over the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro. These include:

• The room-specific sensors that allow you to more accurately regulate cold and hot areas in your home.
• Flexibility with the heating and cooling schedule; the primary modes and your preferred settings don’t nullify each other.
• Guaranteed compatibility with both Android and iOS devices. Additionally, your phone doesn’t have to be close to you in order for you to change the settings as you can call to Ecobee4 from across the room.
• As a bonus, the secondary functions extend well beyond temperature control.

The Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro has one main advantage over the Ecobee4: It allows multiple primary users. But as the Ecobee4 is primarily driven by its efficient sensor system, this feature is hardly necessary.

Finally, when it comes to choosing home improvement gadgets, some people prefer the aesthetic of one product over another. After all, this device will, by default, form a part of your home decorations for the foreseeable future. In terms of dimensions, the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro and the Ecobee4 are not that different from each other.

But in terms of looks, the T6 Pro has a more utilitarian keyboard-like appearance while the Ecobee4 has a rounder design closer to the Nest thermostat. As a result, the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro looks like a digital clock while the Ecobee4 looks a little more sleek and modern.

Are there signs that your home is being targeted by burglars?

While nobody wants to dwell on this depressing thought, it’s always better to be prepared and informed.

What Does Casing a House Mean?

You have probably heard the term “casing a house” to describe how burglars analyze a home’s vulnerabilities. Many burglars are smarter than you’d think. When looking for potential targets, they do their research. When casing homes, the most important goal for burglars is to learn when no one’s at home. When a house in unoccupied, that is when they act.

This article will walk you through burglary statistics, how to know if you’re being targeted by burglars, and simple things you can do to protect your house in this scenario.

Home Burglary Statistics

The more you know about home burglaries, the better you can prepare and protect your home against them. That’s why knowing the statistics is important.

The statistics of home burglaries are shocking. The FBI has reported that a home break in occurs every 13 seconds in the United States. That’s around 2.5 million per year.

• The most common place an intruder breaks into a house is through the front door. About 34% of burglaries occur through the front door of the home. This may seem like a bold move, however, if an intruder has done a good job watching your home, learning your daily routine, and knowing when you are away, the front door is the easiest place to slip into.
• Only 28% of break-ins occur when the person is home. The other 72% occur when they are away. This is further proof that burglars watch and target homes to determine the best time to make their move.
• Most home break ins occur between the hours of 10am and 3pm and usually only take on average 10 minutes to be accomplished. Thieves like to get in and out quickly to avoid being caught.
• The two most frequent months for break ins are July and August. You are out and about more in the summer– and burglars are too! Criminals would rather do their work in the summer when it is warm and the greenery is full, providing optimal coverage for them to discreetly rummage through your property.

What Homes are Most Likely to be Cased?

Criminals want to make their jobs as easy as possible, so the homes most likely to be cased are ones that offer easy access like unsecured windows or garages. Home location is also important. Burglars will be more likely to strike a house that is in a quite, subdued part of town rather than in a busy area with a lot of foot traffic. The more people that are around, the more likely it is for a crook to be spotted. Also, some homes unknowingly advertise that no one is home like if the property is unkempt or if multiple weeks worth of mail is piled up at the mailbox.

Signs That Your Home is Being Targeted by Burglars

Your best protection against burglars is being informed and knowing what signs to look for that someone may be casing your home. Make sure to keep your eyes and ears out for the signs we list below.

Common Tactics Burglars Use to Case Homes

New Traffic Near Your Property

Whether on foot or in a car, if you notice new or suspicious looking people near your home, it could be a red flag that someone is watching you.

• If you start to see a particular vehicle parked near your home frequently that you know does not belong to your neighbors or anyone visiting them, this could indicate that someone is watching your property. Use security cameras to track vehicles when you’re away and be on the lookout for any patterns.
• Burglars often sit in vehicles with tinted windows to mask their identity. If you notice a car parked near your home for a period of time with no explanation, don’t be shy about calling the police and voicing your concern. In most cases, they will be more than happy to swing by and look into it for you.
• The same goes for foot traffic near your house. If you notice a stranger frequently walking near or past your home, they may be scoping your house out in search of weak points.
• When a criminal is casing a home, they may appear to be innocently walking or jogging by. However, they will likely linger for a prolonged period near your home to scope it out. If you notice this type of behavior, take note of their appearance for future reference.
• Be sure to get a good look at the individual or purchase high quality security cameras that can distinguish faces. This will provide you with an accurate description to give to the police. But keep in mind, not every new person who walks past your home and casts a glance your way is a potential burglar.

Solicitation Scams

Another way that burglars case homes is to go to the door pretending to be from a legitimate business, local government agency, or having some other reason to connect with you that seems reasonable. This is a method for criminals to get a better sense of your home, gain key information, or perhaps find out if you have a home security system, dog, or anything else that might make getaway more difficult.

If granted access to your home, they can scope out windows, doors, and valuables that would inform them about a potential break in.

While you may get visitors that legitimately are looking to sell you a product or service, you should always have your guard up when an unsolicited visitor knocks on your door. Keep in mind that you are under no obligation to open your door and interact with a stranger.

Fake Emergencies

One of the oldest tricks in the book is for a criminal to come to the door and feign an emergency. They may tell you that their car broke down and they need to use your phone or that they need a glass of water.

• Criminals know how to pull at your heartstrings to get you to feel sorry for them and help them out. We have a tendency to want to see the best in people. Unfortunately, there are people out there looking to take advantage of that.
• Criminals use your kindness and willingness to help them in a time of need to take advantage of you. They may swipe some of your belongings while your back is turned, or they may simply gather intel and come back at a time when you are not home.
• Many burglars will use the opportunity to subtly open up a door or unlock a window while inside so that they can come back and gain easy access to your home.

Taking A Picture of Houses then Walking Away

In today’s world of prevalent smartphone use, pretty much everyone has a camera on them. It is now easier than ever for people to snap a quick photo of your home for later research.

If you notice someone taking pictures of your house and then walking away, this could be a red flag. Be vigilant and look for any other suspicious activity, even if it’s occurring at a home further down the street or another block over. Alert your local law enforcement if you perceive a threat. Your help could aid them in an ongoing investigation.

Posting Flyers on the Door

Not only is having a bunch of flyers or stickers stuck in your door a nuisance, it can also serve as a way for burglars to mark your home.

Many burglars will stick flyers or stickers on homes that they think are unoccupied to serve as an indicator for their accomplices that the home is unguarded.

In these cases, it is wise to remove any flyers from your home immediately. If you are going to be out of town, ask a friend or neighbor to remove any flyers or newspapers that could be piling up outside your home indicating that you are away.

Think Your House Is Being Cased? Trust Your Gut Instinct

When it comes to protecting your home against break ins, one of your best defenses is your gut instinct. If you have a strong feeling that something suspicious is happening, follow it and report the suspicious activity.

Not every stranger walking through your neighborhood is a threat. However, if you see someone acting strangely, like not making eye contact or engaging in other suspicious behavior around in front of your home, there may be cause for concern.

Stay alert when you see this kind of activity. Take notes on what the person looks like or take down their license plate number if they are in a vehicle. Be sure to report anything suspicious to the police.

Simple Methods To Protect Your Home From Casing

The truth is, many people don’t consider taking precautions against robbery because they feel as though they don’t have anything worth stealing.

However, burglars don’t know what is inside your home; they simply seize the opportunity when they realize you’ve neglected to take adequate safety precautions. Everyone should take the basic steps to protect their homes from burglars.

Consider the following tips to help protect your home from break ins:

• Invest in a reliable security system to monitor entryways and make sure the devices are visible. Studies show that just the appearance of a security camera can dissuade intruders from trying to break into your home.
• Make sure your home is well lit by installing lighting near every entrance way. Motion detection lights are a great option for garages and doorways.
• Keep your shrubbery trimmed back to avoid unintentionally creating protection for criminals.
• Get to know your neighbors and keep an eye on each others’ houses. If you are friendly with your neighbors, they are more likely to be vigilant about watching your home and reporting anything suspicious to you.
• When you are away from your home, keep your TV or radio on to give the appearance that someone is inside.
• Although it may seem drastic, putting bars on your windows and doors can help to keep intruders at bay.
• Get in the habit of keeping your doors and windows locked. Even if you are just out in the backyard working, make sure that you home is locked up so a burglar can’t gain access when you are not paying attention.
• Don’t flaunt the fact that you are going away on vacation by posting to social media. Tell your close friends and family, not the whole world.
• Stop your mail and newspaper service while you are away or have a friend or neighbor collect them for you. You don’t want your personal mail piling up for someone to go through while you’re away. Identity theft becomes another issue when personal mail is left outside your home.
• Remove any spare keys that you have hidden. Experienced thieves know the best places to look and will easily locate your hidden key.
• Don’t open up your door to strangers. Instead, use a video doorbell (if you have one) to confirm an individual’s identity first.

What to Do If You Think Your House is a Target for Casing

If you have noticed suspicious activity around your home and feel as though a burglar may be casing your house, follow our steps below.

• Take note of any details involving the suspicious person or people around your home including what they look like, vehicle information, etc.
• Talk to your neighbors to see if they have noticed any suspicious activity and let them know your concerns.
• Alert local law enforcement and provide them with the information that you have gathered so that they are aware and can keep a closer watch on your area.
• If you haven’t already, this would be a good time to invest in a home security system. You can even grab some inexpensive security cameras online that will do the trick without putting much of a dent in your wallet.
• Reinforce entrances and windows with additional locks and security measures.

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When it comes to burglaries, there are many things that you can do to be vigilant about potential break ins.

While no one wants to think about protecting their home from potential threats, it is important that you feel safe in your own home and are aware of the warning signs of potential criminal activity.

A successful break-in is traumatizing for homeowners. It is an invasion of your space and sense of safety.

You may feel as though some of the above mentioned steps are a bit extreme or border on paranoia. However, when it comes to your safety and security, you can never be too prepared. Admittedly, it’s an old cliche, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

By following our steps and remaining vigilant, you can help to ward off burglars and prevent break ins so that you can maintain the safety and security you should feel in your home.

Looking for home security? Contact the Alarm New England team today.

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Sources:

• FBI.gov – https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2015/crime-in-the-u.s.-2015/offenses-known-to-law-enforcement/property-crime
• Bureau of Justice Statistics – https://bjs.ojp.gov/