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[pe]

On most tract homes, all utilities such as
the power box (circuit breaker), telephone,
and gas are located in one area, usually on
the side of the house. Simply opening the
power box and placing the "service
disconnect" (master) switch to off will
deactivate the home's power and therefore all
X10 Powerhorns. Simply opening the telephone
box and unplugging the main telephone cord
(it's just like any ordinary phone jack) will
deactivate communications (console can't call
anymore).

After confirming nobody is home (ringing the
door bell/calling the home) and by performing
the above procedures, a burglar probably
wouldn't even worry about the console's beeps
since they aren't loud enough to alert
neighbors. What the burglar does next is
totally up to him/her.

All in all, lock your utilities to discourage
such an attack.

[loveschools]

Thanks for the tips.  

[Brian H]

Good tip. One question. Does the utility
company allow this to be done?

[pe]

Personally, I haven't asked my utility
companies if this is allowed. However, there
are two things that suggest that it is:

1. At my house, there are built-in loops for
installing a padlock. If it isn't allowed,
they probably wouldn't provide this.

2. The electricity/telephone companies can
easily shut off service remotely if they need
to. In other words, they won't be needing
access your utility boxes unless there's
actual work to be done at the home itself.

If in doubt, ask your utility company. With
hundreds of different companies, there are
bound to be different policies.

Also, for safety be sure to let everyone at
home know where the key is located in case of
an emergency (ex: power needs to be shut off
immediately).

[dintrepidsg02@hotmail.com]

Definately, some good tips! In fact I just
put a pad lock on my power box and
telephone util. box not to long ago!