Photograph by Kathy De La Torre
Home security systems have become more and more common and are routinely offered in new homes.
Burglars see holidays as season of opportunity
By Sue DeRosier
The holiday season is a time of happiness and celebration, but for burglars it is also a time of opportunity. Dark homes left unattended while families spend time with friends and relatives can be an invitation to a thief to break in and grab a little "Christmas cheer," so local security companies recommend homeowners have some type of prevention plan in place to deter unwanted intruders.
"Our experience has shown that garage side doors are the most vulnerable to intruders," said Hon Au, operations manager of AEC Alarm Systems. "Garage side doors that are not set up with detection devices can be easily accessed with little-to-no visibility from the street. Burglars access the garage, open the main door, park a van inside, close the door, and break into the internal door to the house, load up and drive away."
AEC is one of several companies in the Bay Area that provides electronic security systems for the home and office. With one central keypad, most systems can be programmed to monitor windows, doors and motion within the house. Once a luxury item for the very wealthy, home security systems are becoming as commonplace as microwave ovens Au said.
"Practically all of the new homes being built today come with a security system," adds Au. "Although the wired system is probably the most advanced in terms of technology, the wireless system is the most popular in the valley."
Wireless security systems offer remote capabilities, such as hand-held keypads and panic buttons, and can be armed or disarmed from a regular telephone or cell phone. Whereas wired systems hide all the components such as window motion detectors, wireless systems have the various detectors visible along the perimeter doors and windows. According to AEC Alarm Systems, the decision to go with one system or another usually depends on the homeowner's budget and personal aesthetics.
A basic home security system with keypad, two door contacts and a motion detector costs about $195.00 and $26.00 per month for 24-hour monitoring. Monitoring is the response mechanism that is triggered once an alarm is activated by an intruder. The alarm signals the monitoring center to contact 911 and police are dispatched to the home.
In addition to standard security systems, homeowners can purchase smoke and heat detectors that react similarly to a security system, i.e., sending an alarm to a monitoring center where fire and police are subsequently dispatched.
"Smoke and heat detectors installed by a professional security system are very different than the standard detectors homeowners can buy in the hardware store," said Howard Himmelman, vice president of Bay Alarm. "The technology is much more finite so that a smoke detector can determine if the irritant is dust or smoke and at what level the smoke is rising."
According to Himmelman, heat detectors rather than smoke detectors are better for the kitchen since they activate if the oven has been left on or actual sparks or flames have begun while a smoke detector in the kitchen tends to be a little sensitive to non-life threatening situations, such as burnt toast.
Heat-and-smoke detector systems can be purchased separately or in conjunction with a security system. Most homeowners in the Bay Area who are installing security systems tend to add the smoke/heat detectors, said Himmelman.
Along with adding electronic security systems and smoke detectors, homeowners can improve their chances of getting through the holidays burglar-free by following some very simple rules set out by the California Attorney General's Office on Crime Prevention. Some of these are basic, common sense rules for burglary prevention, but, combined with a few out-of-the ordinary steps, they become barriers to entry.
According to the California Attorney General's office, the greatest weapon in the prevention of burglaries are light, time and noise. To a burglar visibility means vulnerability. If there are no large shrubs near doors or windows, they have nothing to hide behind, so keep hedges trimmed low so that entry points can be seen easily. Mount exterior lights out of reach so that they cannot unscrew the light bulbs. Consider buying motion-sensitive lights so that any movement outside is picked up and displayed. Use a light-timer inside the home to automatically switch on the lights in the event that you will be home late in the evening.
Make it time consuming for a burglar to break into your home by installing deadbolt locks on all exterior doors. For doors with glass panes, install double key locks so that the impending thief cannot just open the door by breaking the glass and reaching through. Keep all windows and patio doors locked while you are away from the home. And don't leave an extra key under a doormat, flowerpot or on the ledge of the doorway.
Noise is a strong deterrent, so consider getting a dog. Having a radio or television on signals someone is at home, even when they may be away. It may stop the burglar just long enough for someone to see him or her in the act.
Think like a burglar. You should periodically "case" your house as a burglar would if he or she was watching from the street. Look for the easy access points. Do valuables, such as guns, electronic devices or artwork, show easily through the windows? Are the ladders and tools that could be used for forced entry locked up and stored away? Are the skylights or ventilation ducts easy to remove or climb through?
These reminders are not meant to detract from the beauty of the season, but to give the homeowner more sense of peace while out shopping, celebrating and traveling to visit loved ones. The worse feeling is to come home from a wonderful holiday vacation only to find a home vandalized. According to the state's attorney general, common sense and a little prevention are the best line of defense against "unwanted" visitors.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
