This book summarizes a solid common sense approach to home security. It gives the basics on doing a security review of a home. Des Conway tells us we'll get better at performing home security reviews the more we do it, and experience thus far proves him correct.
The heart of the book is the list of potential countermeasures to deter criminals from burglary, home invasion and other related crimes. The more of these we do, when appropriate for a particular home, the safer the home.
Des Conway has extensive experience doing security reviews of homes and had a long career in law enforcement in the UK. He educates people on the realities of making a home secure. The goal is simply to cost effectively reduce the odds that one will be a victim of burglary, home invasion and so forth. One starts with oneself, the things we do that potentially could mark us or our homes as easy victims.
Conway provides many excellent ideas that more than justify the cost of the book. For example, he explains the importance of the strike plate in making a door lock strong. Most of the time we can greatly improve door security just by buying and installing longer and stronger screws that attach the strike plate to the door. This is a very effective and very cost effective way to improve security. Conway discusses landscaping for security. Planting thorn bushes under windows gives an added deterrent.
This book is in some ways an improvement over his first edition: The Personal Security Handbook: How to Keep Yourself and Your Family Safe from Crime. Conway improved the book by presenting the material in summary form and devoting more coverage to high-tech systems. Home Security, 3rd Edition: How to Keep Your Home and Family Safe from Crime
This book should have been called "common sense" if Thomas Paine had not already used that one. It should also have been free, since so much of it reads like a paid advertisement from major Home Security companies.
Summary: Don't buy unless you were raised in isolation for 30 years, and then given a home. That is the only demographic that I can imagine who wouldn't already posess the data in this book.
Spoiler alert: I'm going to summarize the entire book in one (albeit run-on) sentance - Use a light timer when on vacation, use security lights in the yard, landscape such that criminals cannot hide in the bushes, change your routines periodicaly, and buy a dog.
There, I just saved you $15 and did it in an environmentaly sound way. You can send me $5 if you are grateful.
My problem with the book is not that the contents are wrong or useless, but that it is material that I though was tribal knowledge passed down to all of us from friends and family. I just can't imagine anyone in a 1st-world, English speaking country who wouldn't already know this.
I would have appreciated:
What are the vulnerabilities of the common window/door types, and how can I mitigate them.
What are the common lock types, and what is the best way to install. Is my door/frame strong enought to take advantage of a strong lock.
How to install a home system: what are the different methodologies, philosophies: What types of sensors are available, and how should they be utilized to maximum benefit.
The author has good intent, and the book is properly written, but I find myself comparing the contents to the instructions on the back of a bottle of shampoo: Is there someone out there who really needs this explained to them?
How - Security - Security Camera - Door Stopper - Preparedness'
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