What Does Home Security Look Like in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia, unfortunately, has high rates of both violent and property crime. Residents have a one in 110 chance of being the victim of a violent crime and a one in 32 chance of becoming the victim of a property crime. For residents, this means security should be a top concern. Residents do have various options to help protect themselves, their family, and their property from potential crimes.
Outside the Home
Care for the outside of the home can help protect the family and the house. At night, anything left outside could be stolen, so it’s a good idea to bring everything inside. On top of this, keeping the landscaping trimmed can be helpful. If the bushes in front of windows grow too high, it’s possible for someone to hide behind them and break into the home through a window without risk of being seen. Keeping the bushes trimmed to below the window makes it more likely they’ll be seen, so it’s less likely they’ll break in.
The Vehicles
Vehicles should be kept in a garage if possible, and the garage door should be closed at all times. If there is anything in the garage beside the vehicle, make sure it can’t be opened easily from the outside of the house. If the vehicle cannot be parked in the garage or there isn’t a garage, make sure it is locked at night every night. Bring in all valuables, including the change in the cupholders, so there’s no reason for a potential thief to try to break in and steal something.
Inside the Home
Indoors, there are a few things that can be done to make the home more secure. On the door hinges, remove the current screws and reinstall the hinges with longer ones. This makes it more difficult for a door to be kicked in. Replace or add to the current locks for the windows, so they are not able to be opened from the outside. If there is a sliding glass door, use added security measures to make it more difficult to open from the outside.
Added Protection
Another option that has been shown to significantly reduce the potential for a break-in is a security system. Monitored and unmonitored systems are available for a wide range of budgets, and the cost of monthly monitoring is typically low. During a recent study, 60% of burglars stated that if they saw a home had a security system, they would skip that home. Cameras can be added to today’s security systems in case someone does still try to break in and can help law enforcement with identifying the suspect.
With the high rates of crime in Philadelphia, it’s a smart idea to do as much as possible to protect the home and everyone in it from crimes. Use the tips above to boost the security of your home, and consider purchasing a security system. This way, you can always keep an eye on the home and protect it from a break-in.
