Why Professional Monitoring Is Important For Your Security

The windows on any home constitute a great vulnerability to intrusion, theft and vandalism. Obviously, they're the easiest points for a thief to gain illicit entry to the home. They're also a means by which people can see into the home, especially at night, to get an idea of whether they consider it a worthwhile target.

Securing your windows is a combination of the right materials, the right habits and simple awareness. There are many products on the market today that can greatly decrease the vulnerability of windows of being used as a point of entry.
The glass is the first, and most obvious, weak spot. There are types of glass available that are break resistant, to differing degrees, that make simply knocking out a window and crawling through a difficult task. Laminate glass works in a way similar to a car's windshield, with layers of glass and bonding material creating a substance that cracks, rather than breaks, when hit with sudden pressure. This sort of glass can be very hard to penetrate. Tempered glass is also very difficult to break and wire-infused types of glass the most difficult of all. Wire infused glass is typically unattractive and, therefore, homeowners usually opt for the tempered or laminate varieties.

Your window should be somewhat reflective when viewed from the outside. This prevents anyone from staring through your windows during the day to see if someone is home or if there are items worth stealing. Most windows available today have this reflective quality. Replacing old windows with newer, more privacy-conscious models is always a good idea.

In the warmer months, leaving a window open for a while during the day or night goes a long way toward improving the inside atmosphere. It also creates a very convenient situation for those who might want to slip in without permission, especially if the window is left open while the homeowner's are gone. There are products called "burglar bars" that sit inside the window track and obstructs the window from being opened any further. These are inexpensive and worthwhile purchases for any home. If you can't find such a product, a board or broomstick can be enlisted for the same task. Anything that prevents the window from being opened wide enough for a person to pass through means that windows can be left open without there being a major security problem. Remember that windows should always be closed and locked when the house is left unattended.

Security systems almost all have window opening and breakage sensors integrated into the electronics. Such systems allow the homeowner the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their security isn't completely dependent upon mechanical controls which, while very effective, can still be defeated with enough effort. Installing monitored alarms on windows and doors is the most effective way to makes sure no one slips in undetected and that, even when the windows are left open, there is an effective deterrent to crime in place.

ADT is the leading provider of residential security systems in the U.S. A home alarm system from ADT security can help protect your home and family with state-of-the art equipment and round-the-clock monitoring.