Guard dogs aren’t enough: 3 safeguards to boost home security

Dogs make great companions. They are loyal, loving and often very protective. Guard dogs can be an effective way to protect your home.

A survey of 86 inmates incarcerated in Oregon found that burglars would think twice about entering a home with a dog, and for some, it was a total dealbreaker.

But it takes more than a vicious growl to keep your home safe from would-be burglars and criminals. Fido shouldn’t be your only line of defense.

Here are a few additional ways that you can keep your home safe and secure.

Secure doors and windows

Often, the first point of contact a criminal makes is at the front door, back door or your home’s first level windows. To keep your home safe and secure, it is best to keep these access points inaccessible and locked.

Doing so can keep your home from being a target. The most secure types of doors are solid-core doors. These sturdy doors are difficult to break down or kick-in. You can find out if you have a solid core door by knocking on it. If there is an echo, the door is hollow. A solid core door will sound “dead.”

If you don’t already have a deadbolt lock on your exterior doors, consider it. And, while you are thinking about your locks, it is smart to consider reinforcing the existing key locks on your entries as a means to keep criminals from prying the locks open. Always keep your windows closed and locked when you are away from your home. And, some security experts even advise planting prickly landscaping elements like rose bushes or cactus nearby first-level windows, as these plants can serve as an additional protective barrier.

Wireless security systems

A wireless home security system is one of the best measures to keep your property secure. When choosing a home security system, opt for one that has features such as night vision, 1080p resolution, and digital video recording. When installing your system, it is best to add the cameras in high-traffic areas such as your front and back doors. Additionally, you may want to add cameras and angle them toward your windows. Adding a camera monitoring the backyard is a safe bet, too. A comprehensive security monitoring system can give you peace of mind, and you can rest easy knowing that your home and family are safe and secure.

Don’t accept unsolicited help

Criminals have a lot of brass. Some will even knock at your very own front door and present themselves as a business owner with a pitch, a volunteer out in your neighborhood collecting signatures for a cause or contractor looking to help you improve your home.

These tactics are common among would-be criminals. The initial knock at the door is a ploy to gain access into your home, take a look around and potentially scope out their next target.

Unless you call or contact a business for help, do not let them in. And, if you are working with a contractor on a home renovation or improvement, for example, always collect important information like their full name, contact info and business license, and you may even want to consider running a background check.

These safeguards, from securing doors and windows to installing wireless security systems, can keep your home safe. And your dog safe, too.