For most owners, the thought of a burglar breaking into their home is their worst nightmare. Your home should be a place of safety, where you can relax and raise a family in peace, without having to worry about criminals entering and stealing your valuables.
But unfortunately, it does happen. A burglar strikes every 27 seconds in the US, equating to around 3300 nationwide burglaries per day. So how do you stop yourself becoming part of this statistic?
The good news is there are several steps you can take to make your home less of a target. Most burglars will break into homes that appear to be easy targets, with few security measures and a high likelihood of getting away quickly and easily. By implementing a few changes to your home, you can enjoy peace of mind that your property and family are safe at all times.
This is a contributed post.
Here are four tips to protect your home from a break-in.
INSTALL A SECURITY SYSTEM
Many people are reluctant to buy a security system due to the often high price. But the truth is, if a burglar breaks in and makes off with your valuable items, you’ll be spending a lot more money to replace them and repair the damage. A robust security system is always a wise investment, particularly if you live in an area with a high crime rate. These solutions come in a huge range of options to suit all houses and price ranges. Common features include closed circuit television cameras, automatic lighting, motion sensors, alarms, and Aperio access control technology. These will not only help to catch a burglar in the act, but can also be highly effective at deterring criminals from attempting a break-in in the first place.
HIDE YOUR VALUABLES
If you keep expensive jewelry on display in your front room, you are making yourself a target for opportunistic criminals. A burglar is more likely to break into a home if they are sure there are valuable items easily accessible. Keep your high-end possessions out of sight to avoid attracting the eye of a passing thief.
DON’T ADVERTISE AN OPEN HOUSE
There will be times when you are away from home for a long period of time. You may be going on vacation or visiting family for the holidays. An obviously empty house is like Christmas for a burglar, as they know they can get in and out without being caught. To avoid this, don’t make it obvious that your house is unoccupied. Mail piling up on your doorstep and an empty driveway are two of the main clues. Ask one of your neighbors if they could pop in occasionally to gather your mail or even park their car on your driveway to make it seem like you are home.
LIGHT IT UP
Darkness is a burglar’s friend, and a well-lit driveway and home are likely to keep criminals away. Motion-detecting security lights are a great way to alert you of activity outside your home, while serving as an effective deterrent.
Informative!