How to Protect Against NYC Home Invasions
Protect Your NYC Home and Family
Home invasions and break-ins are terrifying forms of robbery that is unfortunately becoming more and more common as criminals become bolder.
There are important differences between a normal burglary and a home invasion, and there are ways you can protect your home from an invasion scenario.
A high-quality, modern alarm system is definitely one of the most effective ways to protect your New York City residence. However, even with an alarm system, there are some things you should do to decrease the chances of a break-in or home invasion. We’ve listed the most important factors below.
1. Be Proactive About Your NYC Home Security
You should engage in active security practices to keep your NYC home safe.
This means undertaking physical activities and habits to protect you. Some of these habits include:
- Keep doors and windows locked—including garage doors.
- Whenever there is a knock at the door, if you have a peephole, use it.
- Keep your entrances lighted. Keep your porch and patio lights on at night. Home invaders are less likely to kick in your door if everyone in the neighborhood can see them do it.
- Chain latches are not overly secure if an invader wants to burst in—they can be broken with enough force.
- Never open the door to a salesman or stranger.
- Always ask to see and confirm ID – anyone who visits your house to do work on your alarm system or utilities will have verified ID and you should never be afraid to call the company to make sure that the visit is authorized.
- Have a plan and share it. Have regular meetings with your family so that everyone knows their part, should the unthinkable happen.
2. Protect Your NYC Home with an Alarm System
When the sanctity of your home is violated, the monthly fee for a security system seems a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Products like Total Connect by Honeywell and Axis Communications CCTV cameras offer a broad variety of home security options, including those that use cellular technology so that robbers can’t cut wires, and full-featured systems to monitor your home and property.
These systems usually use a combination of sensors at your doors and windows, to tell when the doors are opened, and sensors that can detect the sound of breaking glass, or shockwaves from violent entry. Most home alarm systems have a “stay” feature so that you can maintain protection even when you are in the house.
Often, just the knowledge that a Honeywell home security system is present, will act as a deterrent against burglaries and home invasions. As a bonus, many security systems now have home control features which allow you to monitor your home, lock doors and windows, and turn lights on and off from anywhere.
3. Know the Difference
While most burglaries are committed during the day while owners tend to be away at work, or otherwise occupied, home invasions occur at night or on weekends and often target the people in the house as well as the property.
In many cases, the invaders have “cased” the house in advance as contractors, delivery people, or salesmen. These types of robberies can be violent, with doors kicked in or other overbearing means of getting into the home like a panicked story about an accident.
Having a home security system and keeping a few smart practices in mind will go a long way in protecting you from a home invasion scenario. Target Security Systems can help you feel safe and secure at home with custom alarm system design, alarm system installation and even alarm monitoring!
Give us a call today. We’re here to help! 212-252-8787