Page 7 - October2019

Nine Security Organization Tips

Home Organizing Security Tips
home well-lit at night, whether you are
home or traveling. Installing motion
It is a sad and startling fact that
there are over 2.2 detection lights is another good way to
deter criminals from entering your
million burglaries in the US, which
means that every 15 seconds, property.
a burglary is committed. 6. A great idea for your interior
Home burglaries account for 70% of
these crimes (See lighting is to set one or two of your lights
on automatic timers. This is another good
www.securamericallc.com, citing
fbi.gov 2017 crime statistics). The way to keep crooks away when your home
is unoccupied, by appearing as an occupied
good news is that there are some home.
basic home organizing tips that can
help reduce the risk of your home 7. When traveling, don’t
from being targeted by thieves and let mail, newspapers or packages pile up.
burglars. Here’s what to do to get Ask a friend or neighbor to gather these
started.
items daily.
1. Install a security system to
guard your home and post signs in 8. Having hidden keys seems convenient
your yard and windows. Security for you, but it is also convenient for
opportunists seeking entry into your
systems are a great deterrent to home. If you hide keys in your yard, do
thieves. If this is not an affordable
solution, post signs stating that you not place them in obvious locations. A
better solution is to ask a neighbor to hold
have a security system.
onto your spare key.
2. Install cameras at your home. 9. Secure your valuables. For
This can be as easy as placing a important documents, be sure to keep
doorbell camera at the front door or them in lockable filing cabinets or a safe.
covering more of your property by You can also keep them stored in the cloud
installing wireless (or wired) camera (see www.digitallifecloud.com). A safe is
systems. Providers like Aerlo, Ring, also a good place for your
Nighthawk have doorbell and home
security camera systems that are other valuables (money, checkbooks,
credit cards, jewelry, etc...). If you don’t
relatively inexpensive and fairly
easy to install. have a safe or secure locking file cabinet,
don’t hide valuables in the obvious
locations. Try the kids’ room, laundry or
3. Secure your yard. Trim bushes
that cover or obscure your windows. kitchen - as those areas are often the last
places thieves search.
Remove and secure ladders, tools,
trashcans and any other item that These tips are just the basics but can
might be used to break into your greatly help you keep your home secure.
house or climb through a window. Be proactive, do the research for securing

your home! There is a ton of home
4. Secure your windows and security-related information on the web.
doors. Make sure that all Get organized and secure what you value
your door locks function properly. most.
Make the door most visible from the Resource: “Dorothy The Organizer” is
street your entry point, and use America’s Most Innovative Professional
additional secondary locks (such as a Organizer. Known to millions as the
chain-latch or double-bolt locks) on fearless-yet-endearing problem solver on
all other doors. For sliding doors, the Emmy-nominated TV Show
use a broomstick or other type of rod “Hoarders” on A&E. Dorothy is also the
to lay in the track. As for best-selling author of seven books,
your windows, be sure all locks including her latest, Stuff Your Face or
function properly. Do not leave Face Your Stuff.
windows open, even on the second In addition to being featured in the Wall
floor. Use secondary locks and stops Street Journal, Forbes and O Magazines,
on your windows wherever possible.
Dorothy appears regularly on the Today
Show, The Dr. Phil Show, The View, The
5. Be sure that all your exterior Doctor’s, QVC and PBS. Dorothy lives with
lights function properly. Keep your
her husband in Los Angeles.
October 2019 7