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I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy being a home inspector, to the point that you may wonder if there is anything about inspections that I don’t like.
There is: like any job, home inspections are not always sunshine and roses, and near the top of my list is being inside someone’s personal space. I’m very conscious of the fact that a house is much more than a collection of drywall, wood, asphalt, vinyl and mechanical systems. It is someone’s home: a place to relax after a long day, raise a family, keep their belongings and make memories.
Fortunately, I’ve developed the ability to focus almost entirely on the house itself. I can walk through a home surrounded by personal belongings, someone could leave a sack of money sitting on the kitchen table and I would probably never notice it. Unfortunately, not everyone has that ability.
Some people deliberately enter homes to take things that don't belong to them. While the stereotypical image of a burglar is someone dressed in dark clothing, sneaking around at night, the reality is that there is no particular "look" for someone who may be attempting to gain access to a home.
Someone who appears to be a delivery driver, contractor, service technician or even a prospective customer can potentially attract much less attention than someone who obviously looks out of place. That is one reason why basic home security is worth thinking about, even if you live in a quiet neighbourhood and have never experienced a break-in.
Here are a few things I recommend homeowners consider:
Check Hinges on Outward Swinging Doors
Most people think of a door being forced open as the primary way someone might defeat it. However, an exterior door that swings outward can present a different concern if its hinges are accessible from outside.
I have encountered outward-swinging exterior doors on homes, particularly at garages and secondary entrances. Depending on the hinge design, an improperly secured door may be considerably easier to tamper with than one where the hinges are protected.
If you have an exterior door that swings outward, take a look at the hinges and determine whether the door has appropriate security features to prevent the hinge pins from simply being removed.
There are several ways this can be addressed, depending on the door and hardware. If you aren't sure whether yours is adequately secured, a qualified locksmith or door professional can take a look.
Cut Back Shrubbery
There is no stereotypical burglar.
If someone approaches your home claiming to be a contractor, utility worker, delivery person or service provider, that doesn't automatically mean there is anything suspicious happening, but you also don't have to assume that everyone who shows up at your door is legitimate. If you're expecting someone, verify their identity through the company they claim to represent. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember that legitimate service providers should generally be comfortable identifying themselves.
As a home inspector, for example, I am clearly identifiable as representing Inside Edge through my company clothing and/or vehicle. I take my clients' privacy seriously. With only extremely rare exceptions involving legal requirements or immediate life-safety concerns, I don't discuss a client's home, belongings or inspection findings with other people. I see an increasing trend of a small number of realtors and inspectors going online and making fun of what they see in homes and I flat out refuse to engage in that activity.
Don't Live In Fear
Home security doesn't have to mean turning your house into a fortress or constantly worrying about who might be watching. Most of us go about our daily lives without ever experiencing a residential break-in, and I certainly don't want to encourage people to become unnecessarily fearful of their own homes.
But a few simple habits: keeping doors and windows properly secured, maintaining visibility around the property, being aware of unexpected visitors and keeping an inventory of important belongings can make sense regardless of where you live.
Many years ago when I was working in a retail store, the head of security for the company gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me:
"There is no need to live in fear, but there are plenty of reasons to live with caution."
I think that's pretty good advice for homeowners too.
There is: like any job, home inspections are not always sunshine and roses, and near the top of my list is being inside someone’s personal space. I’m very conscious of the fact that a house is much more than a collection of drywall, wood, asphalt, vinyl and mechanical systems. It is someone’s home: a place to relax after a long day, raise a family, keep their belongings and make memories.
Fortunately, I’ve developed the ability to focus almost entirely on the house itself. I can walk through a home surrounded by personal belongings, someone could leave a sack of money sitting on the kitchen table and I would probably never notice it. Unfortunately, not everyone has that ability.
Some people deliberately enter homes to take things that don't belong to them. While the stereotypical image of a burglar is someone dressed in dark clothing, sneaking around at night, the reality is that there is no particular "look" for someone who may be attempting to gain access to a home.
Someone who appears to be a delivery driver, contractor, service technician or even a prospective customer can potentially attract much less attention than someone who obviously looks out of place. That is one reason why basic home security is worth thinking about, even if you live in a quiet neighbourhood and have never experienced a break-in.
Here are a few things I recommend homeowners consider:
Check Hinges on Outward Swinging Doors
Most people think of a door being forced open as the primary way someone might defeat it. However, an exterior door that swings outward can present a different concern if its hinges are accessible from outside.
I have encountered outward-swinging exterior doors on homes, particularly at garages and secondary entrances. Depending on the hinge design, an improperly secured door may be considerably easier to tamper with than one where the hinges are protected.
If you have an exterior door that swings outward, take a look at the hinges and determine whether the door has appropriate security features to prevent the hinge pins from simply being removed.
There are several ways this can be addressed, depending on the door and hardware. If you aren't sure whether yours is adequately secured, a qualified locksmith or door professional can take a look.
Cut Back Shrubbery
There is no stereotypical burglar.
If someone approaches your home claiming to be a contractor, utility worker, delivery person or service provider, that doesn't automatically mean there is anything suspicious happening, but you also don't have to assume that everyone who shows up at your door is legitimate. If you're expecting someone, verify their identity through the company they claim to represent. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember that legitimate service providers should generally be comfortable identifying themselves.
As a home inspector, for example, I am clearly identifiable as representing Inside Edge through my company clothing and/or vehicle. I take my clients' privacy seriously. With only extremely rare exceptions involving legal requirements or immediate life-safety concerns, I don't discuss a client's home, belongings or inspection findings with other people. I see an increasing trend of a small number of realtors and inspectors going online and making fun of what they see in homes and I flat out refuse to engage in that activity.
Don't Live In Fear
Home security doesn't have to mean turning your house into a fortress or constantly worrying about who might be watching. Most of us go about our daily lives without ever experiencing a residential break-in, and I certainly don't want to encourage people to become unnecessarily fearful of their own homes.
But a few simple habits: keeping doors and windows properly secured, maintaining visibility around the property, being aware of unexpected visitors and keeping an inventory of important belongings can make sense regardless of where you live.
Many years ago when I was working in a retail store, the head of security for the company gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me:
"There is no need to live in fear, but there are plenty of reasons to live with caution."
I think that's pretty good advice for homeowners too.
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