According to recent shocking statistics, every 14.4 seconds, a home is being burglarized in the U.S. Unbelievable, we know. This means that as we speak, somewhere out there, an unfortunate decent family falls victim to a break-in. In more serious cases, the burglary involves violence if they encounter anyone home. There are many ways to protect against these crimes and one of them is securing the house. We want to share with you a very helpful list of 10 ways to protect your home and make it invincible against criminals.
10. Don’t leave things in plain sight
Because if you do, you practically invite the burglars to pick your home. Valuable things like cars, scooters or bicycles should stay in the garage. Also, if you got a new plasma TV or other expensive appliances or electronics, throw the boxes in the trash can, don’t leave them in plain sight. This is just another invitation screaming: we have money, rob us.
9. Fool the thieves
Most break-ins happen during the day when the homeowners are at work. That’s why, when you leave home, make sure you give the impression that someone is still in the house. Leaving a light on, the TV on or music on your CD player at a loud-enough volume can create a very good diversion. Another great way to scare the burglars, according to the Office of Community Oriented Police Service, is to have a home security sign installed in your yard. This way, even if your house doesn’t have a security system, the burglars don’t know that.
8. Secure the sliding doors
A very easy way to break into people’s houses are through the sliding doors and windows. You should definitely take some extra precaution and secure every sliding entrance in your home. You can put a steel bar or a strong dowel and slide it into the back groove. This way, even if someone picks the lock, they won’t be able to slide back and open the door. Remember to always lock your windows before you leave the house and to further secure them install a simple nail or pin into the frame so it won’t raise more than a few inches.
7. Spare key
Never leave the spare key out. Although some keep an extra key under the doormat or in a flower pot, don’t. That’s actually like an open invitation for robbers to get inside your home without any effort. Moreover, someone can see you take the key from where you’ve put. You can give the spare key to a friend who lives nearby to keep it safe. Also, don’t write any personal info like address on your house keys. If you happen to lose them and someone finds them they will trace your house easily.
6. Ways to protect your home – Secure the yard
If you have any big tree branches that reach your upper story windows, cut them down. You don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night with a burglar climbing to on the branches to get inside your house through the window. Also, if there are any large bushes that can make a good hiding place for an intruder, trim it down. You need to keep the entryways to your home as visible as possible. You can add thorny bushes or shrubs around the house to make it harder for them.
5. Call the police
You need to stop a crime before it occurs rather than to respond to it. So if you’re planning to go on a vacation for a while, call the police and let them know so that they drive by your house to check on things.
4. Get motion sensor systems
A poorly lit or a dark property makes it easier for burglars to stay hidden. The best way to deter crime is by installing a motion-sensing system. The lights are activated by sudden movement, which not only will it scare the criminals but it will also let you know that there’s someone out there.
3. Install deadbolts
Install a deadbolt lock on every exterior door. Locksmiths and insurance companies advise for Grade 1 and Grade 2 deadbolt locks. These locks are harder to unlock than the usual ones.
2. Get a dog
Even though a dog doesn’t assure home protection 100%, it does make a home look less approachable. If you’re not an animal lover you can just get a “beware of dog” sign. It’s simple and it works.
1.Alarms
If you’re thinking of buying an alarm system and you don’t know which one to get, it’s very simple: the one that’s loudest. You don’t need expensive systems. A 30 second loud alarm is enough to scare any intruders.
This was our top ten ways to protect your home from burglars. Did we leave anything out? How do you keep your property safe from intruders?
