Hidden Keys - Don't Do It!

On September 2, in Monroe, Connecticut, a homeowner came home to find his deadbolt unlatched and items missing from his home, including a video camera, laptop, and $500 in cash. There were no signs of forced entry and police noted that a key he kept outside was missing.

The victim made what is an all too common mistake among homeowners – leaving an extra key "hidden" outside the home. Everyone is familiar with the fake rock that you can buy to hide an extra key in your yard. Over the years, this has evolved into any number of seemingly ordinary yard, garden, or porch items to hide that extra key inside. Those not wanting to splurge on fake yard décor often hide their key in what they already have on display – under the door mat, on top of the door, in a flower pot.

Know who else is familiar with those rocks and rugs and flower pots? The burglar wanting to get into your home!

The problem with all of these "hiding" places is that they are so well-known and so many people use them, and thieves are well aware of this. Other security experts agree - a quick online check shows everyone from  from insurance companies to police departments to simple home protection articles  – advise against doing this. In fact, the only places that believe hiding an extra key outside of your house is wise are the places selling those rocks we just talked about.

Our unfortunate homeowner in Connecticut was hit, likely when he was at work, at a time when the FBI says more than half – 62% - of home invasions occur (precisely between 6am-3pm). Not only are you at work, but so are your neighbors, giving burglars time and leisure to snoop around and find that hidden key.

There are many reasons to need an extra key nearby and many will tell you to place that key in the trust of neighbor, friend, or family member. Yet, that's not exactly convenient if you're locked out and you can't get in touch with them. So what's a homeowner to do?

If you're determined to have that extra key stashed away, the safest option (or the lesser of the evils) is a combination-lock key storage box (pictured right). There's hundreds of brands and types to choose from, and they are widely available.

However, the only real way to guarantee the safety of your home, family and valuables whether you're a convenience-key-hider or not, is to have a fully-monitored alarm system with a keypad panel. This way, even if someone does come across your house key, they're still stopped in their tracks without your alarm password and the authorities are quickly notified that there's an intruder in your home.

Worried a home alarm system is beyond your means? You may be surprised. We have a wide range of security products and features to fit many needs and budgets, such as iAlarm, Alarm Link, as well as fully-monitored alarm systems. You also may qualify for our $0 Down Internet Special, where you can get a home security system installed with no up-front costs with approved credit.

If you'd like to know more, contact us today, or just fill out our online form for a Free Estimate on our Comprehensive Homeowner's Package.

[Call Alarm Center Security today for a FREE quote on a security system for your home or business - 1-800-97-ALARM - or visit our website to see if you qualify for a $0 down installation - alarm.net]

Murder in Louisiana 2000-2010

Visit this interactive database by the WSJ's "Murder in America" to:

"Explore an interactive database of killings committed in the U.S. from 2000 to 2010. You can sort by the race and sex of killer and victim, the circumstances of the killing, and many more variables."

Burglary Facts

Source: visual.ly via Alarm Center on Pinterest

Burglar Reveals 15 Trade Secrets

Kevin Raposo covers home security, crime, safety, and consumer issues for SimpliSafe and InfobiaBlog.  He has graciously allowed us to share with our readers his great piece that gives an  in-depth look into the mind of a burglar. Thanks, Kevin!

Burglar Reveals 15 Trade Secrets - A Look Into The Mind of a Burglar by Kevin Raposo, February 20, 2012 at SimpliSafe

Ever wonder what goes through the mind of a burglar? Well, SimpliSafe home security sent a team of us out to hit the streets for some raw data. We got the chance to sit down with burglary professionals and ask them some real tough questions. It wasn't easy getting these questions answered but we got them! We gathered the most common answers and assembled them to give you an inside look into the mind of a burglar. It's time for you to meet Bob, your local burglar.

Hello, my name is Bob and I'm your local neighborhood burglar!

First I'm going to tell you what I look for before breaking into your home, and then I'm going to tell you how I can break into your home. I'll even tell you what I'm doing and looking for inside your home.

A lot of people ask me why I do what I do, and why I haven't been caught yet. Do you know what I tell them? Because people don't realize how easy they make it for me. I shouldn't be doing this but I need a challenge!

Here's what I'm looking for to make your house my next target:

Before picking a house I have to scope the whole neighborhood. To do this I'm not going to be walking in the traditional cat burglar uniform. I'm going to be walking around with a rake, dressed up as the cable, electric, or phone repairman. In some cases I even post a flier on your door for a closer look. Usually my work hours are from 8AM-11AM. I want to avoid any kind of confrontation.

• High privacy fences – This way your pesky neighbors can't sneak up on me or call the police
• Any sort of high vegetation, like trees or shrubbery, covering your windows – this way they can't see me break your window. I prefer lots of cover.
• Toys or playground equipment in your yard – Toys or playground equipment in your yard are signs that kids live there, which to me equals a mother lives there and "cha-ching" that means JEWELRY.
• I'll post a flyer on your door to get a closer look of your home. I'm also checking to see if you have a burglar alarm.

Here's how I break into your home:

• I'll knock on your door to see if anyone is home. If someone answers the door I'll just come up with some bogus story.
• I'm going to check if the front or back door is unlocked. Sometimes people usually hide a key somewhere easy to access. If I can't find a key I will check the windows. If worse comes to worse I'll just smash a window.
• I can also get into a home through your doors using my trusty crowbar.
• If I can't make it into your house in one minute I just move onto the next one.

Now here's what I’m doing once I'm inside your home:

• I always use the same search pattern. I go straight to the master bedroom. I look for cash, jewelry, or anything that might be valuable. People often make the mistake of leaving money or jewelry in the most common areas.
• I'll even look under the bed and in your closets.
• I'm always listening for outside noises. It's a 6th sense.
• I check your bathroom medicine cabinets for any narcotic prescriptions. Pills are easy money.
• I'm going to check your kitchen and living room for electronics, credit cards, car keys, and personal information.
• After I have gathered everything I need, I call my backup driver to meet me so we can load up all the goods in the car or van.
• Once I have loaded all the goods, my associate and I drive away to the next target. It's a never ending cycle.
• And that's it folks. It usually takes me about 8-12 minutes to get in and out of your home. It's as easy as that!

In closing, there are a lot of things that you can do to avoid someone like me. A security system is a no brain-er. If that's not an option, leaving a TV or stereo on during the day usually helps someone like me avoid your home. This usually indicates someone is home. Also most burglars won't even attempt entry if they know there's a large dog in the home.

So now you know my methods and secrets. Hopefully this will help you avoid bad guys like me. If not, I'll be lurking around. So, once again, I'm Bob, your local Burglar, and I'll be coming to a city near you!

[Call Alarm Center Security today for a FREE quote on a security system for your home or business - 1-800-97-ALARM - or visit our website to see if you qualify for a $0 down installation - alarm.net]