As much as we’d love to live in a crime-free utopia, this sadly isn’t the case. In the US alone, over 3,000 burglaries are happening every day, with 66% of them residential.
Burglaries happen all the time, and if you believe that you’ll be lucky enough – or that thieves have nothing to steal from you – think again. You’d be surprised to learn that the most commonly stolen items are jewelry, bags, and clothes besides cash, power tools, and electronics.
So don’t leave the safety or your possessions to chance and check out these five ways to protect your home from burglars:
1. Keep your house secure at all times
This might seem like a no-brainer, but an unlocked door is one of the most common entry points during a break-in. Other likely entry points are open and unlocked windows.
So before leaving home, your main priority should be checking all your doors and windows and making sure they are closed and locked. In addition, ensure that ladders and other tools aren’t visible or easily accessible for an opportunistic burglar.
Other too-easy-to-resist burglaries happen because of trouble-free access to house keys. According to Australia Crime Statistics, 35% of respondents leave a spare key outside their homes. If you think plant pots and doormats are good hiding spots, so do burglars.
2. Install a safe
Hide the important stuff! As a last resort, a safe will be the last line of defense against a burglar. But most importantly, it keeps you stress-free, knowing that your most important valuables are neatly tucked away – especially if you’re going on a holiday.
“A lot of people underestimate how helpful a safe can be. For many, it seems like an exaggerated precaution, but when you think about the benefits, they really outweigh any inconvenience. They offer theft protection for your most prized possessions, are fire-resistant, offer peace of mind – and are affordable,” says Chris Seabrook from Asguard Locksmiths.
One important thing to note is to install your safe somewhere well hidden. One of the most popular safe storage places is in the bedroom wardrobe. But that’s also the first place a thief will look – so make sure you choose a different, well-hidden spot.
3. Install video surveillance and alarms
Burglars will often avoid a home with alarms, sensors, and CCTV cameras. They are easily accessible through your desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone devices. Most of them have smart functionalities that help you access footage and arm & disarm alarms with the click of a button.
A prison survey conducted by DUMA on offenders found that 49% were deterred from breaking into a property if it had a proper alarm system.
If you’re strapped for cash and willing to forgo a coffee and a doughnut, fake security cameras and alarms systems are also available. When installed outdoors, they might deter burglars, but they won’t guarantee to protect your home.
4. Make it look like someone is home
A nobody’s-home-looking house is very enticing for burglars. So employ some Home Alone techniques and ensure it’s always looking like a party.
Okay, you don’t have to take it that far. But if you’re going on a holiday or are simply away from home a lot, you could install sensor lights to illuminate the entrances.
Reduced activity around the premises highly increases the risk for a house robbery. Ask someone to pick up your mail, put the bins out and check the property when you’re away for more than a few days.
5. Update your locks
Are you in a new home or have you lost your keys? The safest way is to hire a locksmith to rekey the locks.
It’s a cost-effective solution to ensure your safety, especially if your lost keys have fallen into the wrong hands. Rekeying a lock works by changing the key of the lock to a new key but keeping the same lock.
This is also a great solution if you decide to have only one key to every door in your property – a high-security master key system.
Conclusion
Feeling safe in your own home should be a given, but in today’s world, it’s better to be safe than sorry. By making use of these five ways to protect your home from burglars, you will have both extra security and peace of mind!
Featured Photo by Edu González on Unsplash
