When a neighbor reported seeing as burglar enter Adam Magee’s home, Magee immediately called police. Law enforcement officers showed up promptly, conducting a search of the home to search for the suspected burglar. When their search turned up empty, they declared that there was no threat present, and Magee decided to go to bed. While he was lying in the dark, he heard a rustling noise coming from underneath his bed. Glancing over, Magee was shocked to see the figure of a man attempting to crawl out from under his bed. After feeling initial panic, Magee wrestled with the man (42 year old William Sowerby), and was able to detain him until the police returned. Sowerby admitted to the burglary, and was sentenced to be jailed for 3 1/2 years.
This frightening situation brings up the importance of having an extremely secure perimeter around your home. All of your entry points should be locked, even when you’re currently at home. Taking several measures to increase your level of outdoor home security is a great way to help prevent a burglar from even gaining access to the interior of your home.
Outdoor Home Security: Motion-Sensing Lights
This inexpensive security tool is an invaluable way to secure your property. The majority of burglars are much more inclined to commit crimes when they believe that they can do so without being caught. Having motion-activated security lights may sometimes be enough to deter a potential burglar. However, it’s important to exercise common sense when placing lights. Always have lights with a motion-sensing range that can cover all accessible entry points (doors, windows, outdoor basement stairways).
Outdoor Home Security: Guard Dog
Depending on your specific needs, you can either choose to keep a “Guard Dog” or a “Watchdog” for security purposes. As a loose definition, a guard dog is designed to intimidate (and possibly detain) a burglar until help can arrive. A watchdog will exhibit intimidating behavior (such as loud barking), though may not be aggressive enough to actually chase an intruder. An extremely important thing to remember is that you should never leave a dog outside for extended periods of time. This can cause behavioral problems, separation anxiety, as well as destructive behavior. Caring for a dog is a huge responsibility, and you should only keep a dog if you have resources to give it proper care and training.
Outdoor Home Security: Fencing
Before constructing fencing on your property, make sure that your fencing is approved by your community’s rules. Some communities will not permit you to build certain types of fencing, or will put restrictions on any fencing you construct (even if it’s completely on your property). That aside, fencing in your property is a great way to make it more difficult for a burglar to access your property. Fencing should ideally be used in combination with other security features, such as motion-activated security lights.
Outdoor Home Security: Video Surveillance
Many people don’t consider how valuable video surveillance can be in protecting your property from intruders. It’s an unfortunate fact that the criminals who commit burglaries are often very difficult for law enforcement to apprehend. In the majority of cases, the goods that were stolen aren’t ever recovered. By having a video surveillance system, you can greatly increase the chances that law enforcement will be able to positively identify any burglars. For night surveillance, be sure that your camera is able to capture footage in a variety of light conditions. Night surveillance cameras may be expensive, but they are often well worth the cost. However, if you don’t have the money to purchase a full surveillance system, you can also purchase “dummy” security cameras. Since many burglars only commit a crime when they believe they won’t be caught, it’s best to place a dummy camera in a well-lit, highly visible location.
