The main appeal of placing a security sign in a yard is to warn possible intruders that there is a security alarm in place. Whether you actually have an alarm in your home is up to you, as some statistics show that just the presence of a sign decreases the likelihood of break-ins. You also have the choice of what form of the sign you purchase, from one attached to a stake in your front lawn to a decal on your window. What the sign says is also entirely up to you.
If you want the best chance of stopping a home intrusion, and want to feel as protected as possible, you should purchase an alarm system. According to recent statistics, a home without an alarm system is much more likely to be broken into than one with a system. If you do choose to buy an alarm that fits into your budget, you can expect to be supplied with plenty of signs. As experts in the security field, your selected alarm company will know that the first step to increased security is to advertise it to potential intruders. After all, your alarm company will only succeed if the majority of its customers remain free of break-ins.
However, many people cannot afford an entire alarm system at this time, so they have to fake it. It is the next best thing to obtaining a real alarm, but now you have many decisions to make regarding the sign should you choose this route. You need to determine what type of sign you want, where it will go, and what will it say. Luckily, plenty of companies sell security signs online at much cheaper prices than a whole security system.
If you decide to buy a sign that can be planted in your front yard, choose wisely. You will want a sign that is made of durable material, resistant to any type of weather. As long as your sign is not made of paper, cardboard, or lightweight foam, you should be in the clear as far as weather goes. Additionally, try to choose signs that come with their own stakes, also made from a durable material like aluminum. Otherwise, you will have to find a stake that fits your sign. Another option is to simply purchase security decals. You can buy a few of them and stick them on the front windows of your house. As long as they are easily visible to potential intruders, they should work just as well as signs on a stake do.
The next step is deciding what the sign should say. You can purchase a sign that simply says the name of a security system, or you could get a little more creative. If you want to warn potential thieves that there is a security camera on the premises, you can do so with a sign that features an image of a camera, and a warning like “Monitored by Video Camera.” A “Neighborhood Watch” warning is also a good warning to criminals that someone is always keeping an eye on the area. Finally, a “Beware of Dog” sign on the door of your backyard gate can always help, as you can use it in conjunction with any other security signs whether you actually have a dog or not.
As you can see, you have plenty of options when it comes to buying a sign. Once you decide whether to use a sign in your yard or on your windows, and know what warning you wish to convey, you can choose the exact look you prefer. Some signs are basic but powerful, such as brightly colored signs in the shape of a police badge that has the word “Warning” in large letters. Such signs can be seen from far enough away that a potential intruder can see it from the road in their car. A sign with a large image of a video camera or intimidating dog can also send a simple but powerful message. Of course, a sign that spells out the details of the warning can be just as effective, as long as the would-be burglar is close enough to read it.
Obviously you would feel most secure with an actual security system, but if you do not have one yet, a sign will still decrease your chances of becoming a target. While it is important not to get a false sense of security when you display these fake signs, it is perfectly within reason for you to feel more secure with such signs than without. Your signs may be fake, but the studies that show that they work are certainly not.