| The Frugal Homeowner's Guide to Home Security | | | | door is opened, the alarm emits a sharp warning to |
| If you want to keep your home safe but are put off | | | | alert you. It's cheap, unobtrusive and it works. |
| by the cost of alarm systems, don't despair. There are | | | | Bolts and locks |
| other devices you can use to keep your family and | | | | For doors and windows, you can install bolts and locks |
| your property safe and secure and you don't have to | | | | to reinforce an existing lock. As long as the bolt is solid |
| spend a lot. Here's how: | | | | and the hinges are properly screwed in place, you will |
| Determine your vulnerable points | | | | have little worry. |
| Before you set out to buy anything, check your house | | | | If you have sliding doors that don't have an anti-lift |
| first. Go outside and look around, test your doors and | | | | device, it would be a good idea to install one. Or, you |
| windows for any weaknesses (old hinges, rusted | | | | could install two door locks - one on top and another |
| locks, weak frames, etc.). Sometimes it's as simple as | | | | at the bottom - to reinforce the hook lock. |
| replacing a few of your old hardware to keep your | | | | The garage is a common point of entry for most |
| home safe. | | | | burglars, so keep the door padlocked and the garage |
| Next, put yourself in the shoes of a potential thief. | | | | windows closed before you enter the house. |
| Imagine how you could enter your house unnoticed. | | | | Keep the light on |
| Identify the most vulnerable points in your house - your | | | | Illuminate your porch, back door and garage. If you're |
| front door, rear and patio doors and your windows. | | | | willing to spend a little, invest in dusk-to-dawn lighting |
| Another point of vulnerability is your garage or shed. | | | | powered by photoelectric cells. These save a lot of |
| Install alarms | | | | energy and will be cheaper to use than |
| First things first. There ARE low-cost home security | | | | electric-powered lights. |
| devices available on the market. These are usually the | | | | Keep things thorny |
| wireless systems which are easy to install and set up. | | | | If you don't have a fence or wall, keep thorny plants |
| Wireless systems are very popular because they | | | | and shrubs around. Plants like roses, holly and |
| provide the peace of mind that homeowners want at | | | | hawthorn have spiny leaves and thorny stems are |
| an affordable price. | | | | great deterrents because they can produce punctures |
| You might also want to buy one of those small | | | | and tear at the skin. They not only provide you with |
| door-installed alarms that cost about $20 or less. | | | | security, they are also great ornamentals. |
| Powered by cell batteries, once it's turned on and the | | | | |