This blog is long overdue but what I'm about to say--if it will help one person, I will be happy--it helps many people, I will be ecstatic. Read on. My home has been burglarized in November 2006. Fortunately, my 9 year old son and I were not home at the time or who knows what would have happened. Never think that you are not being watched as I believe the criminals that broke into my home were watching me all along. Anyway, I normally work from my home office and I'm there alot during the day. This one particular day back in November, I had a function to attend and left my home about 11:00 am that day. About 11:20 am is when these criminals broke into my home, ransacked it and stole my hard earned possessions. I live in new construction and the main switch that controls my electric is outside of my garage. They easily shut off my electric and since I live on a 1 acre wooded lot, they went around to the back of my home and kicked in the cheap builders grade french doors and made their way inside. They opened the garage door in my kitchen to see if any cars were parked there. Then, they went directly to my kitchen knives that were visible on the countertop and took the biggest knives they could find and started cutting speaker wire from my home entertainment center. They didn't cut the more expensive monster cables but they did steal them along with the home theater system. I'm Thankful I had one of those big 61 inch TVs because it was pulled out but basically left in tact. They turned my living room and dining room upside down. They proceeded to take their destruction upstairs. They went into my bedroom and pulled out and emptied drawers of clothing, threw important papers everywhere, looking for money and or jewelry I suppose. Again, I am thankful because I don't have much expensive jewelry but the pieces I did have were on me that day
The only money that I had lying around was in a cabinet and it was probably about $50.00 in loose change which they did get. I just bought a new 35 inch TV that was too bulky for them to steal. Imagine if I had one of those nice, sleek plasmas, I'm sure they would have been more than happy to take that. They went into the storage in my bedroom where I had stashed the xtreme bike that I bought my son for Christmas. They pulled it out as if they were gonna take that too, but they did not. They destroyed my closet and bathroom and proceeded to my son's room and stole his playstation, gamecube, gameboy and all his games. He was heartbroken. Went into my spare bedroom and destroyed that. Then on to my office where they stole my laptop, printer, peripherals, and other items. The TV in that room they tossed over and broke it and continued on with their destruction. Before they left, they stole a couple beers out of my refrigerator and then left. Certain things that they did make me think that these criminals were teens. When my son and I got home that evening, we were devasted. They invaded our privacy and destroyed our home. They left a 2 knives in my room and one in my sons room. When the policeman arrived, he turned the electric back on and the time on the stove let me know when they shut if off and made their way in. I have a home alarm system that was installed prior to me moving in. I procrastinated and never got it activated, thinking oh, "I'm in a safe neighborhood, there is no rush." Well, I learned a hard lesson so now I have a good system installed with motion sensors, a back-up battery in case they decide to cut the wires to the electricity, remote controls, and sensors installed at every entry point, windows included. I can never feel too safe though. These criminals have become so creative in how they make entry into peoples homes. Just recently, the news has reported that burglars are cutting there way through the siding of homes to try not to trip the alarm but if you have a few sensors in the right places, it should set off the alarm. Tips I hope you will follow:
Always be aware of your surroundings
Get a home alarm system with a back-up battery and motion sensors
Make sure all windows are wired and locked
Make sure all windows are covered even the side windows at your front door (use curtains or decorative plastic film sheets)
Turn on the lights outside at night
If you see something strange happening, notify your police
Get together with neighbors and set up a town watch for your neighborhood (Get the town watch signs too)
If you have those cheap builder grade doors, get rid of them and get something more sturdy
If your master electric switch is outside your home, padlock it
If you have a panel outside where your AC units are located padlock it (they steal AC units too just ask my neighbor)
If you are mowing your lawn-shut the garage while you are doing it because I have had a weed eater and a 100 foot cord stolen(on two separate occasions) while mowing my back yard (very bold move)
Be careful who you open your door to (make sure they have proper identification) and still, be careful
Do not leave anything of value, (purses, laptops, briefcases, purchases) in your car in plain view--lock them in the trunk
Always lock your car doors
Ladies please, stop leaving your purses in your buggy at the grocery store while you walk down the isle looking for an item
Watch your Girl Scouts Selling Cookies
Watch your children outside playing
This is just a few tips as I am sure there are many more. Please contribute and add any safety tips you may have. Let's put these criminals out of business.
Thanks for reading and BE SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.reneeheath.com