The new ways thieves are getting into homes: What you should know now

(ARA) - The idea of someone breaking into your home and stealing your possessions, or worse, threatening your family, is a terrifying notion. Unfortunately, over the years, criminals expand their repertoires of techniques to get inside homes. The good news is you can make your home more secure. Thieves are clever, but, armed with the right knowledge you can be smarter than they are.

One technique that thieves are using more often is "key bumping." With this method, thieves use a filed-down key that can fit into most locks. By inserting the filed key into the lock and tapping it, they cause the locking mechanism to release your bolt lock. Similarly, "spring bumping" involves putting a small spring on a filed-down key and tapping it to dislodge the locking mechanism in your door. Since these methods cause no physical damages to your home, it is easy for a burglar to simply walk straight into your home, take whatever possessions they wish, and leave without any trace or evidence of theft. In other words, you are left stranded without any way of claiming a home invasion to your insurance company.

Likewise, your garage is filled with valuable items, and for those who have attached garages it's a gateway to the rest of your home, so it's important to protect it as well. Garage doors are increasingly a target of burglars who have devised many ways of getting in. One technique involves inserting a wedge at the top of garage doors that have glass that allows them to see inside. Through the opening created by the wedge, a thief can use a wire (even something as rudimentary as a straightened coat hanger will work) to pull the emergency release on the door. It can take as little as a few seconds to disable the garage door and get in.

While it's difficult to guard against every deviously creative thought that burglars have, putting a little time and energy into protecting your home will go a long way. You don't need to spend much to get a big benefit, either. In addition to steps like installing motion-sensing lights around doors and putting locks on windows, it's possible to have a home alarm system installed by one of the top alarm monitoring companies. Some security companies are even offering a free wireless security system, worth $850, with the purchase of an alarm monitoring package and a nominal installation fee.

Home security systems are one of the most effective tools you can have in your deterrence arsenal. If a burglar sees a sign outside your home that indicates that you have alarm system monitoring, he will be more likely to move on to an easier target. If he doesn't see the sign and gets into your home, an alarm system will make him leave faster. After the system is in place, you'll just need to pay for monitoring - a small cost when weighed against the damage that could be done by a burglar.

Courtesy of ARAcontent