Getting Involved in Your Community

Home Security: Locking Out Crime, Part 1 of a 3-Part Series

Being concerned about the safety of your home is important. Taking precautionary measures to secure your home will not only reduce the opportunities for crimes to occur, but also significantly limit the consequences, such as damages, if a crime is committed, as well as increase the chances of catching your thief.

The main idea behind protecting your home is being smarter than the bad guys – for example, burglars – and thinking steps ahead of them. In this three-part series, you will find some techniques to consider to protect and secure your home before you move, during your reside in your home, and some advice if you become a victim of burglary. First, let us focus on the search for a home in an area that is secure and ideal for you and your family.

Prior to moving, examine the neighbourhood that you are considering moving to carefully. Conduct as much research as necessary to ensure you are comfortable with the area before you commit yourself to a home. Research using the Internet or consult your local police station for the statistics of crimes committed in that area.

Consider joining a Neighbourhood Watch or Block Watch program in your area, which would be beneficial to both you and your community. If such a program is not already in place, you may start one with help from your local police and other interested community members. By means of mutual cooperation, such as reporting suspicious behavior and watching our for each other’s homes, the likelihood of burglary and other crimes occurring are greatly reduced. The benefits of a community watch program include the following:

• Increased community spirit
• Greater interaction amongst neighbours, thus creating more friendships
• Improved community-police relations; and
• A visible reduction in crime

It is important to take as much time as necessary to conduct applicable research, do not rush the process; it is not a book that can be easily sifted through. Discuss your thoughts, opinions, and ideas with your sales representative – they are trained to help you with these big decisions.

Keep an eye open next month for Part 2 of the Home Security: Locking Out Crime series, where we will inform you on measures you can take to protect your home after your big move and during your reside.

Written By: Sevinj Najafova, you may contact Sevinj via e-mail at snajafova@terrequity.com.