More than a million homes are burglarized each year, but what measures can you take to stop yourself from becoming part of that statistic? Here are seven ways to protect your home, your family and your valuables.
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Lock your doors
It may sound obvious, but according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice, more than 40 percent of break-ins don’t require the use of force.
This means that homeowners are leaving their doors unlocked and their windows open, and opportunistic thieves are taking advantage of their lax security.
Though always making sure your doors are locked is a good practice, sometimes, that is not enough to keep home invaders out. Some burglars will either pick the lock of your door or break it down if it is light enough.
With that being said, you might consider buying heavier doors with multiple locks from a company like Comfort King Ltd. to keep the burglars out of your home and your family and other valuable items safe.
Sound the alarm
It’s a common misconception that most thieves strike at night. Many will actually hit your home in the early afternoon while you’re at work. A good home security system will protect your property at all hours of the day, especially if you stake your yard with a branded sign as a deterrent.
Hide your valuables
Look at your house from the outside. Is your flat screen easy to see through the window? Does the tip of your boat stick out from your garage? Make sure your expensive, high-value items are safely stored out of sight and not offering temptation to passing criminals.
Secure sliding doors
Many sliding doors can be popped right off their frames for easy access into kitchens and second-story rooms. Place a steel security bar on the interior back groove to prevent burglars from gaining entry through your balcony.
Let there be light
Bright, florescent flood lights will scare off thieves who hope to creep up to your home under the cover of darkness. Invest in the motion-activated kind to save electricity and illuminate dark corners when necessary.
Throw away the rock
Entrust your spare key to a neighbor instead of leaving it under a fake rock. It may have been a clever idea once upon a time, but modern-day thieves are privy to the trick.
This also goes for flowerpots, grills, hollow bricks and anything else that can be easily bought at a hardware store. If it’s readily available on the mass market, it’s entered the lexicon of thieves.
Make new friends
Your local Neighborhood Watch is your best ally in preventing break-ins and property damage. They’ll keep an eye on your place during those vulnerable work hours, and they can also report suspicious activity to the authorities while you’re on vacation.
These are just seven tips for protecting your home against the ill-intentioned. Remember, vigilance is more important than any high-tech gear, so keep your eyes peeled and your entry points firmly secured.
Lizzie Weakley
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