Predictable is Preventable

Recently, I received an automated alert on my telephone from my local Police detachment, warning me of an ongoing crime wave occurring in my newly developed neighbourhood; thieves were breaking into homes, stealing electronic devices and causing untold damage. Actually, a neighbour, who lives just two doors down from me was a victim of such an attack. To combat the problem, residents organized a meeting, held at the local public school, to debate the issue, and find ways to protect their properties. As I sat listening to a Police spokesman lament that the Police were limited in their response, it became clear to me that most home buyers fail to think beyond the move in date.

Case in point; The mortgage papers have been signed, the moving boxes lay stacked in their assigned rooms, the moving truck rumbles down the road. After spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase your new home, you shut the door, turn the dead bolt, smile and now you are home at last. Trouble though; how safe can you be with a $30.00 dead bolt.

Lets face it. When builders entice you with glossy brochures, depicting layouts of the kitchens and bathrooms, little thought if any is given to the security of that home. For example, why do builders partially wire homes for future alarm systems? Why second floor windows are not alarmed is still a mystery to me, do they, the builder’s think criminals only come through the front doors.

It appears as if security is a last thought when signing on the dotted line.

Therefore, I will offer my thoughts as I did to those at the local meeting.

To begin with, before buying your new home, negotiate with the builder to have a security consultant make recommendations to upgrade the overall security of the home.

Suggestions could include the installation of strategic perimeter lighting, integrated with the alarm system.

Install up scale dead bolts and locks such as “Medeco or Mul-T-Locks.” Replace all exterior doors, including the garage entry door with solid wood or steel doors.
Video and/or Intercom systems installed at the front door, and rear doors. Panic alarms buttons placed in the basement, second floor, and kitchen. Rear glass sliding doors should be pinned.

Install burglar resistant glass or glass coating on windows. Suffice it to say, there are several aspects home owners should consider, ranging from exterior lighting, landscaping, fencing, etc. To further hammer this point home, The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, has published a very good guide about this and I’ve included the link below. Again, home security does not appear to be one of the primary considerations when purchasers make the deal. All to often, thoughts of “Should have… Could have… Would have…” are entertained after a home has been burgled and your privacy invaded. “Predictable is preventable”.

It’s evident that for any builder, profits are important. But, generations of increased customer satisfaction translates into even bigger profits. Security matters!

As I mentioned earlier, here is the link to that Home Security Audit Guide, which provides you with even more information:

www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/publications/policing_services/ON_Security_Guide_Env5_A103.pdf

Categories: Security
Tags: audit, building, burglary, checklist, doord, doors, guide, home, Security, windows