6 Simple and Practical Tips to Make Your Home Safe From Burglars
Burglar-proofing your home should be a top priority especially if you are new to the area and you don’t know how safe your neighborhood is. And, even if you are already well-acquainted with your community, you should never be complacent when it comes to safety.
Now you probably already learned a thing or two about anti-burglar methods from the Home Alone movie series. But, if you find them to be too complicated, here are simpler ways to make your home safe and burglar-proof.
- Secure Doors and Windows
According to the PRWeb, 34% of burglars actually access homes via the front doors, and they often do it effortlessly by kicking and applying force. Secure your doors by installing deadbolts, reinforcing their strike plates, and making sure that they have strong frames and hinges. You can also take things a notch higher by installing smart locks, which often come with alarms for unauthorized door opening.
Windows are also another easy access point for thieves. Keep all your windows locked especially when you are retiring for the night or you are leaving for a trip. If your window locks seem flimsy, you can add key-operated locks to beef up security. You can also install window bars and plant prickly bushes under your windows to make them less accessible from the outside.
- Keep Your Valuables Out of Sight and in a Safe Place
Expensive items such as enormous TVs and state-of-the-art furniture should not be visible from the outside of your house. These items can attract burglars as they can give a preview of the owners’ financial capabilities. Keep smaller items such as precious jewelry locked in a vault or a safe that is bolted to the floor.
If you are expecting plumbers, electricians, and other service providers to visit your home, make sure that they don’t have easy access to your valuables as well as paperwork and other items that can provide information about you and your family. The same is true if you’re selling your home and are having an open house for prospective buyers. Remember that there are certain things to put away when having an open house to maintain your privacy and safety.
- Don’t Let Everyone Know That Your Home Is Empty
While it may be fun to post your travels or whereabouts on social media, it is actually not a good idea. Burglars might have access to your posts and seeing that your home is empty is for them a great opportunity. It is best to be discreet about leaving your home empty and just post about your trip once you are back safely.
Also, if you are going away for a longer time, make your home look like someone is still living in it. Cancel newspaper subscriptions so they won’t pile up on your front door. You can also buy low-cost timers from DIY shops and use them to automatically turn on your TV, lights, or radio so it will look like someone is at home.
- Eliminate Possible Hiding Spots
Burglars are always on the lookout for dimly lit areas where they easily hide to access your home. You can eliminate these hiding spots by installing motion-sensor lights. Most of these lights are solar-powered making them more flexible and easier to install even in spots that are far from electric sources.
Bushes are also possible hiding spots. While you can’t totally remove them from your landscape, you can make sure that they are well-trimmed at all times so they won’t become a security hazard.
- Install Webcams
Take advantage of modern technology and install webcams so you can watch over your house even when you are far away. You can purchase webcams that can be viewed via your smartphone and are equipped with local or cloud storage.
Webcam prices can start as low as $7, and they can increase in price depending on their features like higher pixel quality, motion detection, night vision, and noise-cancellation applications. Aside from alerting you to intruders, webcams can be useful in watching your kids while they are playing out on the porch or when they are with a babysitter while you are at work.
- Consider a Home Security System
Home security systems are more comprehensive than simple webcams since they include a range of home safety equipment such as security cameras, door and window alarm systems, motion sensors, and glass break detectors. Some of them are automated and can be conveniently accessed via your smartphones. This might be a more expensive move, but really, it’s probably a price worth paying for your peace of mind and safety.
You don’t really have to break the bank to ensure that your home is safe from burglars, vandals, and criminals. By following the simple tips mentioned above, coupled with mindfulness, vigilance, and diligence, you will be at a much lesser risk from perpetrators.
Infographic Provided by Eye Trax
