Prevent your home from turning into a crime scene: The importance of background checks

We all cherish the idea of home, a place of safety, comfort, and refuge. And as a homeowner, ensuring the safety and security of your family and property is a top priority, but when it comes to safeguarding our home, we often think of physical security measures like locks, security cameras and even sometimes a dog. However, there is another layer of protection that is equally vital: Background checks.

Whether you’re hiring a nanny, a contractor, or a new tenant, knowing someone’s background provides critical information. Background checks reveal criminal records, employment history, financial stability, and more. Armed with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions about who enters your home, or as a homeowner or landlord carefully select who you rent your property to.

Unfortunately, there has been an alarming increase in home-related crimes, such as, burglary, armed robbery, kidnapping and even murder. Often, these home-related crimes are committed by individuals who have been trusted with the care and maintenance of our homes. These individuals might include:

· ? ? ? ? Contractors and handymen

· ? ? ? ? Housekeepers and cleaning staff

· ? ? ? ? Nannies and babysitters

· ? ? ? ? Roommates and tenants

Background checks act as a risk management tool that helps in identifying potential red flags, such as a history of violence, theft, or substance abuse. By conducting an effective background check you can avoid inviting unnecessary risks into your living space.

Conducting background checks can also foster a sense of trust and confidence when hiring an applicant. By gaining insight into their past, you can feel more assured and at ease knowing that you’ve made an informed decision. The peace of mind is invaluable, allowing you to build a stronger and more secure relationship with the individuals you welcome into your home.

There are numerous alarming instances where domestic staff have perpetrated home-related crimes, highlighting the significance of thorough background checks. In many cases, these incidents could have been prevented if only the employers had been aware of their employees' past actions and history. The lack of knowledge about their employees' previous activities has led to devastating consequences.

Here are some practical examples where background checks would have come in handy:

1. ? ? ? In Lagos, a family hired a new nanny to care for their two young children. Unknowingly to them, the nanny had a history of child abuse. One day, the nanny snapped and physically assaulted the children, leaving them with severe injuries. A background check would have revealed the nanny's past misconduct, preventing this horrific incident.

2. ? ? ? A homeowner hired a contractor to renovate his property. Unbeknownst to the homeowner, the contractor had a criminal record for burglary. One night, the contractor snuck into the homeowner's residence and stole valuables. A background check would have exposed the contractor's criminal past, preventing the burglary.

3. ? ? ? A roommate is welcomed into a home without a background check, only to be revealed later as a serial thief.

4. ? ? ? A landlord is impressed by a rental applicant's politeness, professional attire, and glowing reference, and decides to rent out the apartment. However, it's later discovered that this individual has a troubling history of being evicted from previous properties due to property damage and unpaid rent. This shocking revelation highlights the importance of thorough background checks, as a background check would have highlighted his past behavior to the landlord before renting the property to him.

Protecting your home from becoming a target for crime requires an approach that goes beyond just physical security measures. Conducting thorough background checks on individuals who enter your home is a crucial step in enhancing your safety, safeguarding your property, and establishing trust with those who interact with your family. By proactively incorporating background checks into your home security strategy, you can significantly reduce the risk of harm and create a safer haven for yourself and your loved ones. This simple yet effective measure can also contribute to building a more secure and vigilant community.

Don't delay - visit www.bcilimited.com to make domestic background checks today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with it.