Here’s the good news: Violent crime in Seattle has declined over the last three years.

What’s the bad news? Property crime, including home burglary has been steadily increasing 3 to 5 percent a year in Seattle over that same period.

That’s why Gaspar’s is kicking off the New Year by offering our customers a FREE Home Security Check Up to spot vulnerabilities and suggest solutions to make your home safer. For a minor investment, you can make your home more secure.

We’ve compiled a list of tips and security measures to help out. We believe in a “layered” security approach that includes psychological deterrents (such as lighting, signs and alarms) as well physical deterrents, including locks, bars and fences.

First, Know Your Enemy
Did you know that most burglaries take place between 2 and 5 p.m. midweek, while you are at work? These daylight jobs require a burglar to be quick, typically spending around 45 minutes casing his target and just three minutes actually doing the job.

The number one tip from security experts? Make your home look difficult to break into. It doesn’t have to be Fort Knox, just difficult enough that a burglar will move on to an easier target.

Second, Replace Your Mailbox with a Lockbox
What about my doors and windows, you say? We’ll get to that. The number one, fastest growing crime in the nation is identity theft. Often break-ins don’t just target your physical possessions anymore, but your identification, bank records, credit card statements, etc. Your mailbox is the first thing you need to replace. Some criminals won’t even touch your stuff, so you never know that your identity was stolen until months later.

Third, Improve Door Security
Thieves prefer the easy route, which is usually a door. Thieves typically test a house by first ringing the bell to ensure no one’s home, then trying the door handle. They will often shoulder the door to see how solid and firmly attached it is. To enter, the usual tool is a pry bar or a strong kick.

So…
1. Upgrade Your Door Locks. For $25 to $150, you can buy a good Grade 1 (commercial grade) or Grade 2 deadbolt. You can install it yourself; or ask a Gaspar’s Handy Man to help out.

2. Reinforce The Strike Plate. The strike plate is the metal plate in the door jam where the bolt slides. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much force to "kick in" the door if the strike plate is attached with only a couple of ½ inch screws. We recommend 2 to 3 inch screws. We recommend replacing the strike plate in all exterior doors, including the garage door.

3. Get a better door and doorframe. Consider replacing your hollow-core door (easily to kicked in) with a solid wood (around $300 on up) or metal-clad (starting at around $35) a door or steel door ($1,100+). Remember, a good door does no good if the doorframe itself is in bad shape or of inferior quality. Even expensive homes use cheap pine and can be easily kicked in.

Fourth, Window Security
At Gaspar’s, we are often called in after a break-in to replace windows that we’re broken or forced open. Older windows and sliding glass doors are especially troublesome and make for easy access for criminals.
Consider securing double-hung windows by pinning sashes or using a vertical bar similar to that used on sliding doors to brace against entry. Also, consider putting outside bars on basement windows. Or replace them altogether with glass bricks, which enhance the appearance of your home while conserving energy.

Fifth, Motion Sensor Lighting

Replacing porch lights and other outdoor lights with motion-sensor lights are cheap ($50 and up) and easy to install. Often burglars won’t know for sure if you’re home flipping on the light or if it’s a sensor. Either way, they’ll likely move on.
Finally, Fake It.

While security alarms are always a good idea, most experts agree one of the most effective deterrent is the sign in the yard or window that says: “Home Security.” You can purchase these fake signs for very little money on the Internet. This is also true for the “Beware of Dog” or “Block Watch” signs.

Ask Us About Our FREE Home Security Check Up to determine your home’s vulnerability.

Contact Jen Gaspar at jeng@gaspars.com or call 206-324-8199

Thanks for the referrals.

Thank you to the following Gaspar's customers for referring us to your friends and neighbors

DB Davis Structural Moving & Raising - www.dbdavisllc.com/
Heidi Helgeson - www.h2darchitects.com
Molly Bernard

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Gaspar's Construction - 1406 E Pine, Seattle, WA 98122 | Phone: (206) 324-8199 | Fax: (206) 324-8206