When rural crime hits, many victims are left wondering how it even happened. Did I forget to lock the back door? Did I leave a window open last night? How did I not notice them coming up the driveway? Well, after a surge in rural crime in Alberta between 2015 and 2017, a deep dive was taken into what most concerned rural property owners. They found that police response times to properties were often extremely long, if they even responded at all. To combat this issue, additional funding was allotted to train over 400 peace officers to better respond to rural crime in the province. This is great news for Albertans, but there are preventative measures that can be taken as well. For your first line of defense, here are three ways to protect your rural property.
Install a Driveway Sensor
Many rural properties have driveways that look more like long winding roads, so if an uninvited person enters your property, they may be there for a while before you even notice them. A driveway sensor may use infrared beams, magnetic probes, photo beams, or rubber hose sensors to detect when a person or vehicle has entered your property. For best use and to avoid false alarms, place sensors about halfway down your driveway so they are not set off by traffic on the main road. With a driveway sensor, you can be sure you’ll never be surprised by a visitor or potential intruder again. This is an upgrade that home security Red Deer area customers love.
Use Video Surveillance
With outdoor security cameras in place, you can find peace of mind knowing that your rural property is protected. Placing cameras throughout your property, especially in areas you don’t visit often, can give you a sense of security you wouldn’t have otherwise. For the best experience, opt for cameras that allow live viewing from your personal devices so that you can check on your property from wherever you are. Additionally, discourage porch pirates from stealing your deliveries by installing a doorbell camera to watch over your front door, day and night.
Purchase Smart Locks and Lighting
If you’re a long-time rural property owner, you’ll remember a time when it didn’t matter if you forgot to lock the front door or not, but sadly those days are in the past. As rural crime becomes more common, it’s important to protect your home when you’re away. One of the ways you can do this is by installing Smart locks and lighting. With Smart lock systems, you’ll never have to worry about whether or not your home is protected. Live alerts will let you know if you’ve left a door unlocked, and you can lock your doors from any location, at any time, right from your smartphone. If you will be away for an extended period of time, with Smart lighting, you can turn lights on and off to give the illusion of being at home. This will deter any potential break-ins and keep your property safe from becoming a target of rural theft. As Albertans, we always find a way. To better protect your rural property, use driveway sensors, video surveillance, Smart locks, and Smart lighting to keep your home safe. Whatever your security needs, Central Alberta Security and Automation is here for you.