Did you ever hear some colorful old-timer reminisce about the "good old days"? Back in the day, he'd say, you could leave your front door not only unlocked, but wide open, your cash on the front table, and your keys in the car and you would come home at the end of the day to find everything just as you left it; except of course, for the freshly baked apple pie the nice lady two doors down left on your kitchen counter while you were at work.
Well, we know those days are long gone. There are probably no more than a handful of places like that left in the world, and our little town, (Bet Shemesh), is not one of them. In fact, lately there has been an increase in the number of break-ins and robberies in the area. But don't go building a barricade just yet. There are a lot less drastic, and just as effective methods of protecting your family and your possessions.
There are basically two types of thieves that roam our area. The first are not professional and try to get easy access to a home. They are looking to get in or out very quickly without alerting anyone. The second type is the professional thieves. They are harder to stop. If they want to get in and have already staked out your home by either having worked in your house or walked in when you left the door open for a minute, they have tools and ways of getting in that are harder to prevent.
So what to do? First of all, by far the best security measures you can invest in are high quality locks for your doors and windows. One of the most secure and break-in proof locks are bayonet locks. These are pin locks that are drilled through both window and door aluminum frames. When they are engaged, there is no way to open them. Some people place wooden dowels in the tracks. Technically, this works in the same way but is nowhere near as effective. The locks should be installed by trained professionals, like Handy Randy & Son, for optimum efficacy.
Here are some other things you can do or have installed to deter thieves and prevent break-ins; some are more effective than others. But obviously the more you use, the better your chances of avoiding a break-in:
- Make sure doors and windows are locked at all times
- Install outdoor lighting with or without motion detectors
- Get a dog
- Invest in an alarm system
- Put up signs indicating there is a dog or alarm system
- Install sorageem (security bars)
- Keep bushes and trees around windows and doors neatly trimmed
- Do not leave keys and valuables in plain sight
- Valuables should not be put in obvious places where they can be found quickly by thieves
- Use a safe for valuables that is SECURED to a solid surface
- Install light timers for when you are away
- BE VIGILANT! Immediately report to the police anything or anyone that seems wrong to you
One added issue in our community is the people that come to our doors at all hours of the day and night collecting for charity. We need to draw the line between chessed and the security of our families. If at all possible, install a chain lock that allows you to open the door just a bit. Never let anyone that you don't know into your home, especially if you are alone. Most importantly, teach your children to never, ever, open the door to someone they dont' know.
Keep Safe!
