The thought of a home intrusion or burglary is something that would make anyone’s skin crawl. And unfortunately, our homes can’t be completely intruder-proof (well, unless you hire an army of security guards). The good news is you can take action to minimize the chances that your home will be attacked. Check out the home security tips below.
- Look for weaknesses around your home. Inspect the outside of your home for anything that could make it vulnerable to burglars. For example, ensure that windows don’t easily pry open. While you’re outside, look through your windows to check if your valuables, such as electronics can be easily spotted. Moving them out of view could deter thieves from entering your home.
- Trim shrubs and trees in your yard. Burglars can use untrimmed shrubs around your house to cover and hide. Thus, keep your shrubs and vegetation trimmed – under two feet in height and at least two feet away from the house. If you have a two-story home, prune the trees in your yard. Robbers could use long tree branches to break into your home.
- Install a fence. Intruders rarely want to jump over fences while carrying stolen goods. So, if you don’t have a fence already, build one to keep unwanted visitors at bay. Choose open chain-link or ornamental metal fencing that’s secured into concrete. If you install solid fences, note that these can be easier to climb and may offer thieves a place to hide.
- Use curtains or blinds on windows. Keeping your goods inside is a good idea, but you also need to ensure they can’t be seen from the outside. Put up curtains or blinds in your home, in your garage, and in front of basement windows for privacy and protection.
- Keep windows, doors, and gates locked. Never leave your garage door open even if you’re at home. Also, invest in a quality padlock for your outside entrances. To reinforce your doors, install deadbolts in addition to locks on the door handle itself. Don’t leave your home without locking the windows and doors, even if it’s a short trip.
- Have a large number of your house. Install large and reflective numbers on both your house and mailbox. This helps police easily identify your home in case of an emergency. Crooks prefer homes that are hard to identify as it can buy them time to run.
- Secure valuables in a safe. A good safe not only keeps your valuables safe from theft, it also keeps them safe from flooding, fire or other disasters. If you have a small safe or lockbox, consider bolting it to the floor to prevent thieves from taking it. Also, keep your safe in an area of your home that’s hard to access.
- Install a home security system. A home security system can be customized with tons of features. Be sure yours includes a security camera, outdoor motion detectors, sensors at exterior doors and windows, and an outdoor alarm. In addition to the security system, install sensor lighting outside your home.
- Get a dog. A large breed such as a German Shepherd is the ultimate security system. They provide advanced warning of thieves and can be reliable during power outages. Thieves hate noisy and protective dogs.
- Befriend your neighbors. It helps a great deal to know that your neighbors are on the lookout for suspicious activity around your home. And you should do the same for them! Get to know your neighbors so you can tip each other off in case a thief sneaks into your neighborhood.
By putting these tips into practice, you’ll hopefully discourage crooks from intruding into your home. The fewer weaknesses your home has, the less likely it is to get robbed.
