Sign-Based Deterrence to Guard Your Home

One thing that recommends signs as a security investment is how affordable they are. With prices being lower than thirty dollars for almost all signs, and lower than twenty for many, it's a low-risk investment with potentially high rewards. A sufficiently well-made sign should also require little to no maintenance in ordinary conditions, which isn't something that can be said about most other forms of security.

There are many different kinds of signs that can be used for home security purposes. However, these signs all have something in common - they warn potential intruders about a level of protection the property employs. This protection may be cameras, trained animals, or more mundane alarm systems. A combination of the three will prove especially effective, as a burglar may be used to dealing with one of these threats, but is rarely interested in trying to work past two or more of them simultaneously.

Signs that use animal warnings are more practical than some would think. In today's high tech world, most burglars are comfortable with finding ways to avoid or disable normal security devices. But how many of them know how to disable an attack dog? And of those who know how to do such a thing, how many of them do you think are willing to take the risk? The answer is, of course, 'not many.' Even if you don't own such a dog, the burglar doesn't know that unless he takes the risk, which is a gamble few have reason to take.

If you utilize a camera or set of cameras to monitor your home, you'll probably want a sign to warn intruders of that fact explicitly. Even if you don't, there are a number of products on the market that can make it look like you do, when used in conjunction with the appropriate signs. This costs far less than actual cameras would, while providing similar advantages in most cases. The more visible your property is, the more useful this form of security can be.

By far the most popular sign for security purposes is the sign for alarm-based **home burglar systems**. They can even be found included as bonuses in certain comprehensive security system packages. But one should beware of signs that note the company name for your security. By informing the criminal of what security system you specifically use, you actually help him by telling him how to work around it. More general signs that don't give this information out are preferable.

Some people prefer to use stickers instead of a larger and sturdier **home security sign** to enhance home safety. While they're nothing to turn away if they can be acquired for free, they're not a true replacement for signs. This is because the effectiveness of this kind of security is placed primarily in deterrence prior to the crime, which requires high visibility. Without that visibility, a criminal may not even notice that you have a security system before he actually breaks in and commits the theft.

Signs that display themselves prominently on a lawn are considered the most visible and therefore the most effective at doing their intended job. The drawback is that some environments are more hostile to staked signs than others. If you live in an area with strong winds or other tempestuous weather, be very careful in staking your sign firmly so you don't lose it.

An alternative to signs embedded in the ground is to use signs attached directly to one's home. These should be placed near the doorway or in another prominent location, and at a height where they can be seen easily and naturally. Pay particular attention to the colors when using this type of sign, as a sign that melds in with the rest of your home will do you little good. Try to find a sign that will truly stand out and be noticeable.