Safety Tips for Homeowners in Gated Communities
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) March 10, 2015 -- According to the 2009 Census, the gate that stands between your home and the rest of the world is a neighborhood accessory that is enjoyed by nearly ten percent of U.S homeowners. Living in a gated community might give you peace of mind, but it can also create a false sense of security, as burglaries and vehicle thefts are on the rise in these communities. Instead, positive neighbor relations, preventative security measures, and utilizing tools like AlertID’s crime and sex offender alerts will help better protect your family and your neighborhood.
AlertID, the free nationwide online program and smartphone app allows members to see a map of recent crimes and sex offenders that are currently in their neighborhood, near their work or their children’s school. “Gated communities can provide a false sense of security, which is why they’re only as effective as the residents who reside behind them”, said AlertID Founder, Keli Wilson. “The presence of a gate will decrease the amount of traffic in and out of your community. However, thieves and predators can circumvent this security measure. With AlertID, neighbors can stay informed and make the best decisions for the safety of their home and family.”
As the number of gated communities in suburban American continues to grow, so does the importance of home and neighborhood security. A spokesperson from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, one of the nation’s largest local law enforcement agencies suggests, “If you have the benefit of living in a gated community, you should practice safe home and neighborhood security habits as if you didn’t.”
Gated Community Safety Tips
• Be aware of dangers in your neighborhood: Sign up for a free AlertID account to be aware of the dangers in your neighborhood and share information with neighbors to alert them to suspicious activity. When members post, information goes to all members in a one mile radius.
• Know your neighbors: Residents are usually less observant and less inclined to pay attention to people and vehicles when they have a gate acting as a false sense of security. This is why neighbors who look out for each other are among the best, and least expensive defenses against neighborhood crime. Neighborhood watch brings citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make neighborhoods safer. (Learn More Here: bit.ly/AlertIDWatch).
• Keep all points of entry locked: Everyone should consider updating their locks with quality keyed knobs and dead-bolt locks - even the best locks cannot protect you if you don’t use them. FBI data found that 1 in 4 burglaries happen through an unlocked door or window. Be sure to check all windows and doors after service people have been in the home.
• Make sure all points of entry are well lit: Indoor and outdoor lighting gives the impression that your home is occupied and eliminates outdoor hiding places. Also, consider installing motion-sensing lights, which turn on automatically as someone approaches your home.
• Secure your spare keys: Leave your spare key with a trusted neighbor or family member and never hide it on the property. Burglars have more experience looking for keys than you do hiding them. Alarm.org released statistics that showed a burglar can enter a home in under 60 seconds.
• Hire a trusted company to install an alarm system: Alarm systems control access points to your home and let you know if someone has invaded your space. Don’t assume your gated community security is good enough and ensure you and your home are safe at all times – whether asleep or away from home. According to a study from Alarm.org, homes without alarm systems are three times more likely to be burglarized.
• Gate Code Safety: Criminals have found some clever ways to breach your gate and gate code keypad. Report any suspicious behavior like strangers tailgating you into your community or malfunctioning gate code systems.
About AlertID
AlertID is athe nationwide neighborhood focused safety network that is free to use and helps protect families and neighborhoods. A virtual neighborhood watch for the 21st century, AlertID’s mission is to help members live safely by providing a secure way to receive trusted public safety alerts and share information with family and neighbors.
AlertID uses proven technology to help citizens and federal, state, and local authorities share information about crime, sex offenders, natural disasters, missing children and severe weather that can threaten public safety. AlertID is accessible to members online as well as by email and mobile app. For more information, visit http://www.AlertID.com.
Thomas McAllister, AlertID, Inc., http://www.AlertID.com, +1 7025891656, [email protected]
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