Unless you transform your home into an impenetrable fortress or castle, it is impossible to keep your home 100 percent safe from burglars. Robbers strike every 25 seconds; all it takes for them to break in is a hammer or rock thrown against broken glass, and they’ll immediately gain entry. Even if your windows have bars, burglars can use an angle grinder to break in.
This is a contributed post and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.
Fortunately, you can take a stand and protect your home. Security systems, security fencing, locks and other forms of security measures protect your home from unwanted visitors. But if you want to go the extra mile, there are more ways to protect your home beyond the security systems.
Enjoy better sleep at night without worrying about burglars. Here are some ways to deter robbers from entering your house.
Secure The Doors
Don’t allow robbers to casually stroll through your front door. Inspect all of your doors to make sure the hinges are protected, the door frames are strong and that no one can reach through the mail slot to unlock your door.
If you’re moving to a new home, change the door locks to ensure strangers won’t have access to your home. You can also make sure the locks you choose are the market’s best. Here are some quick ways to protect the important entryways of your home:
- Upgrade to smart locks
- Install a deadbolt
- Install a video doorbell to boost security
- Add a strike plate
Keep Valuables Away from Plain Sight
One of the common trends with home robberies is that the homeowners kept their valuables in plain sight. A simple rule of thumb when it comes to protecting your home: make sure it doesn’t look like it has much.
For example, if you have a big television, close your windows at night. If you have a nice car, always keep it in the garage. If you have something new and expensive, never leave the box by your street. The last thing you want is to give burglars a low-hanging fruit.
Don’t Let Them Know You’re Gone
If you’re going away for a vacation or an extended period, it’s a good idea to ask family nearby or trusted neighbors to mow your lawn, collect your mail and do other chores that keep your house looking busy and alive. Even parking your car in the same spot can be a tip-off to robbers that no one is home.
If there’s no one nearby whom you can ask a favor, consider leaving a few lamps on to make it look like someone is home.
Use Thorny Shrubs, Hedges and Other Greenery as Barriers
Fences, walls and chain-link fencing are effective barriers, but robbers can breach them if they’re not topped with glass, spikes or barbed wire. Burglars can use bolt cutters or snips to cut through the chain-link fence. On the other hand, hedges are more effective. Trees and shrubs adorned with thorns are too tedious for burglars, which makes cutting through them not an option. Consider planting flowering quince, berberis, Gorce and holly.
Eliminate Potential Hiding Places
Shrubs and trees add security plus improve curb appeal, but they can also double as hiding spots for burglars. Trim down bushes and trees close to your home so there is no place to hide. You can also go for smaller bushes and flowers instead. If you have trees near your windows, reinforce your windows with additional security.
Also, don’t forget the rest of your house’s exterior.
Consider the following best practices:
- Lock the sheds, gates and other outdoor buildings
- Put away ladders and stools
- Add security stickers and signs
Keep Your Second Floor Safe
While the first-floor windows and doors are the usual entries for robbers, they can also use the second floor to gain access to your home. Glass-break detectors, locks and window sensors are important in keeping robbers from entering your home through the second floor. While you’re away or at night, close your windows. You can also use smart plugs to turn on the lights to make it look as if someone’s home.
Get a Safe
In case that someone does get inside your home, make sure that your valuables are protected. An in-house safe is a security deposit for all of your important belongings like jewelry and money, as well as vita documents like passports and birth certificates.
Get the most protection for your belongings by keeping them in a waterproof and fire-resistant safe. It should be heavy enough that thieves can’t walk away with it.
Improving your home’s security doesn’t have to be a chore. The tips above can help deter robbers from your home. And relax – you don’t have to finish all of your tasks all at once.
