5 Great Tips for Preveting Home Invasions

I read a very interesting article today regarding the tricks

burglar use to get into homes while people are inside. 

One trick that is pretty well know is to act as a service

person stating that they were there to do repairs.  Once

you let the person in the house you are then in a

home invasion scenario and are lucky if all they do

is lock you in the spare room while they steal your belongings.

Another trick being used over the last year is when burglars actually dress up as

the alarm company.  About a year ago, men were dressing up in ADT shirts and

carrying ADT signs telling people they were there to sell and inspect their alarm

system then rob them.  One man dressed up in ADT gear and stated he was there

to install the alarm system.  For a security system company this is terrifying.


All we truly want to do is protect the community that we live and work in and to

have the criminals we are trying to stop pretend to be us... well its unforgivable.

But this article today that I read also stated that burglaries are creating external

divisions to drive people out of their homes then walking right in the front door to

rob them.  Two diversions listed were playing a recording of a crying baby which

lures the resident out of the home and turing on an external water source which

will have the same effect.  Even I forget, despite all the encounters I have with

burglaries, how unsafe we really are.  But the truth is, you can never be too

careful and its best to be warrey of someone first then apologize later.



Here are some reminders to take with you:

    * Never open the door to a stranger if you are not expecting someone.

    *If the person is a technician or works for utility type company they 

       will have proper clothes, a proper vehicle and an ID tag.

    *If someone gives you the creeps, trust your gut.  If they have an appointment

       to be at your house, call the company or the supervisor to verify.  

    *If its the middle of the night and a diversion gets your attention that you need 

     go outside make sure you are prepared and investigate first.  Look for odd 

    shadows, cars, or any indication that something else is there.

    * Carry your alarm systems key remote with you and use the panic button.  Again

        its better to apologize to the police and alarm company than be a victim.

    

Stay Safe, Stay Smart, and Always Trust your GUT

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