| From reality-television shows like Real Housewives | | | | your neighbors. Set up some sort of neighborhood |
| and The Hills to fictional TV programs of recent years | | | | watch. When more than one set of eyes is patrolling |
| such as The O.C., it seems like everyone in America | | | | the neighborhood, chances are much less of any sort |
| has seen the inner workings of a gated community | | | | of crime. After looking to your neighbors, look to |
| from their television set. It's no secret that gated | | | | yourself. What better ways are there to secure your |
| communities are expensive and luxurious, but did you | | | | home? Do a walk-around with family members, and |
| know that as important as the glitz and glamour is, the | | | | note the problem spots. Is there a tree or bushes |
| safety is one of the number one choices for that sort | | | | blocking the view of the front door from the street? |
| of lifestyle? Think about the homes out in Los Angeles | | | | Trim it down so that no one has a simple cover while |
| with extensive fences and security guards--it's like that, | | | | they're trying to break into your home. Do you have a |
| but for an entire community. | | | | fence that's in need of some repairs? Get out there |
| You don't have to live in a gated community to benefit | | | | with a fresh coat of paint and a hammer and nails and |
| from the cutting-edge home security techniques | | | | fix it up to look brand new. It doesn't need to be |
| they've figured out. Some of them aren't even that | | | | six-feet high and have barbed wire to provide your |
| cutting-edge, really, it's just an excellent common-sense | | | | home with extra protection--it's a measure of security |
| approach. You see, one of the number one ways to | | | | that depends on the psychological. |
| prevent a robbery is simply convincing the robber that | | | | Another important step, after checking the outside of |
| your home isn't worth it. You don't do this literally, by | | | | your home, is to do a walk-through of the inside. Even |
| talking to him, but rather physically, by the way you | | | | in the fanciest of neighborhoods, you're not likely to |
| present your home. Open windows, a lack of stickers | | | | catch a view of their most prized possessions from |
| and signs from a home security company, and all the | | | | the street. That's because people with expensive |
| lights off after dark. Doesn't that sound like an easier | | | | computer systems and fancy televisions don't want to |
| house to break into than one with any sort of gate, | | | | advertise the contents of their home. Likewise, if you |
| perhaps with a "beware of dog" sign, lights blazing, and | | | | have a choice between hanging a television in a room |
| doors and windows with security system stickers | | | | that's easily seen from the street, or in another room |
| securely shut. The difference between those two | | | | that's more secluded, opt for the seclusion. You don't |
| homes is what a gated community manages to | | | | want to let anyone know what's worth taking in your |
| accomplish just by existing. The homes inside might | | | | home. The idea is to be the less desirable house. Along |
| leave their doors unlocked, but because there's a | | | | those lines, make sure to shut and lock all doors and |
| physical barrier between them and the outside world, | | | | windows when you're going to sleep or leaving the |
| and a gate where a security officer checks with | | | | house, and if you have a home alarm, arm it! Open |
| people entering and leaving the neighborhood, a sense | | | | windows and unlocked doors are an invitation that |
| of security is in place. | | | | your home is much easier to rob than someone who |
| Let's use the lessons we've learned from gated | | | | took the time to make it more difficult for a thief to |
| communities and their sense of security for planning | | | | enter their residence. |
| home security in all neighborhoods. First, get to know | | | | |