Home Security - Not Just for the Rich

Although in some areas the crime rate may actually be going down, there are many other areas where this is not the case. Add to this the fact that the population continues to increase, and it is easy to see that the need for home security is still very much a fact of life.

In the past, home security systems were a preserve of the rich. That was logical when the systems themselves were very expensive and, anyway, things worth protecting were only to be found in the homes of the rich. Luckily, things are different now. It is now easier to find simpler home security systems that are affordable even for the most modest homes, and most of us now have some things that might attract the attention of a burglar or intruder.

The first step is to consider how a thief might view your home, and how they might access it and get away with your possessions or harm your family. Shoring up weak parts and adopting better habits is often as much a matter of being more aware as it is of spending money.

When it comes time to invest in home security, the range of options is enormous, luckily. Inexpensive window locks, low-cost double-key door lock/deadbolt systems and other such items are within reach of just about anyone. Even video surveillance systems, once the exclusive preserve of the wealthy that most of us saw only in TV shows and films, are now affordable by the majority of homeowners.

Safes, too, used to be largely for the rich. Today, prices range from $50 or less for a simple wall safe that will hold jewelry or a laptop to a few hundred dollars for a gun safe or floor model. Safe rooms, or panic rooms as they’re popularly known, can turn an entire room into a safe that is both fire protective and impenetrable. Costs are higher than a free-standing safe, but often little more than an ordinary room addition or remodeling job.

Lighting systems, both inside the home and outside, have evolved over the years as costs have come down. In days past a simple on-off timer inside and outdoor floodlights were about the only choices. Today, even very modest expenditures can net you a system that can be connected to your PC, increasing their usefulness.

Personal security options have grown. Tasers, chemical sprays and other devices are often carried by individuals in large cities. Concealed firearms are still controversial and sometimes illegal.

Still, many of the old-fashioned methods continue to be effective. Guard dogs, behavioral changes and having your neighbors look out for you are still effective security tools.

People are beginning to reverse the decades-long slide that kept neighbors a stranger, increasing their vulnerability. Now it’s widely recognized that an active neighborhood watch program increases security substantially at almost no cost, and not just in dollars but in time as well.

As you can see, the first step to protecting your home - and family - is to make a study of your needs and the potential weak points of your house. You’ll soon see that there are many ways of making small improvements that will not only improve the security of your possessions, but can be implemented with a minimum amount of money and time.