Every year, approximately 3.7 million homes are broken into. When an intruder breaks into your home, they take more than your belongings; they also steal your sense of security.
Don’t let this happen to you.
In this post, you’ll discover various methods to keep your home and family safe, including how to identify and deter burglars.
- Keep Curtains and Blinds Pulled
Windows provide a view of the world, but it does so in both directions. Criminals may examine windows to scout potential burglary targets or to determine whether residents are present. Keep curtains or blinds drawn in any room where you aren’t enjoying natural light to protect yourself. This also applies when leaving the house for work, errands, or trips. Additionally, avoid leaving valuables visible near windows.
Significantly, in addition to closing the curtains, one should use strong materials in windows and doors installation. Strong materials like steel can help in stopping hazardous materials from outside. For instance, a window made of regular glass cannot stop a 32-20 WCF ammo. The name.32-20 refers to the 32-caliber bullet with a diameter of 312 inches (7.9 mm) and a standard black-powder charge of 20 grains (1.3 g).
- Look Out for Neighbours (and vice versa)
What’s beneficial to your neighborhood also benefits your house. Informing potential thieves that you live in a community where residents watch out for one another may discourage them from trying their luck. Numerous neighborhood police departments back Neighbourhood Watch programs. Even with an informal program, you can keep an eye out for neighbors and ask them to keep an eye out for you.
- Hire with Caution
Contractors and other reputable home professionals are licensed, bonded, and insured. Before hiring a contractor, request to see their licenses, insurance certificates, and surety bonds. It is also advisable to check their references. Contacting the Better Business Bureau is a quick way to confirm this information.
- Secure Your Doors and Windows
Locking your doors and windows is the first and simplest line of defense against intruders, but how many of us do it regularly? Burglars frequently seek easy targets, and an unlocked door or window is exactly that. It’s a good idea to keep them locked even when you’re at home. And before you leave the house, double-check the doors and first-floor windows to ensure they’re all locked.
- Use Lights to Deter Burglars
The more light there is in your home, the better. Intruders thrive in the dark. They are far less likely to enter a house with a lot of outdoor lighting.
Keep your front porch light on, install a lamppost, and encourage your neighbors to install street lights to deter burglars. Motion sensor outdoor lights are another excellent way to keep unwanted visitors away from your home.
Burglars are deterred by motion sensor lighting outside your home. Install motion sensor lights in your home’s corners and entrances.
Your house might look like an easy target from the street, but as soon as the intruder enters your yard, the motion sensor light will make them think twice.
- Buy a Pet
When someone comes to your house, a dog or other pet can make a lot of noise. Equally important, burglars anticipate that pets will make noise, so they avoid homes with dogs. The disadvantage of pets is that they can sometimes set off security alarms. If you have or are thinking about getting a pet, look for cameras and systems that can tell the difference between a cat burglar and a cat.
- Keep the Doors Locked and Garage Shut
It would be best if you were on the lookout, not only during extended departures. Fast-moving burglars can strike when you walk or are simply in the yard if doors are left unlocked, or the garage door is left open. According to ADT, 34% of burglars enter through the front door, 22% enter through the back door, and 9% enter through the garage. With 23% of burglars entering through a first-floor window, it’s also essential to keep your windows locked and not forget any basement windows.
- Invest in a Home Security System
The most effective home security measure is setting up a reliable security system. Many high-quality home security systems are on the market today, so you can pick the one that best suits your budget and security requirements. These systems can either be professionally installed and monitored or installed yourself and still provide excellent protection against home invasions.
- Develop a Vacation Strategy
Plan before leaving for a trip to keep your house looking occupied while you’re gone. This includes holding your mail and deliveries. Consider asking a dependable neighbor to take care of your trash day responsibilities and watch over the house. Similarly, if you will be gone for an extended period this summer, consider scheduling routine lawn maintenance.
- Don’t be Obvious with Routines
There’s a reason why most break-ins happen during the day. Residents are most likely to be away from home during this time. If your work schedule is consistent, keep your comings and goings as hidden as possible. Also, try not to divulge your whereabouts even with people you know. According to the FBI, at least one-third of the burglars in 2019 with identified offenders were known to the victim, such as a neighbor, a friend, or a family member. (An additional 47% of incident reports did not include information about the offender and victim’s relationship.)
Bottomline
When it comes to learning how to protect your home from intruders, knowledge is power. The better prepared you are to repel an invasion, the more aware you are of your surroundings.
You can feel secure and have control over your family’s and home’s safety by investing in home security equipment. It might enable you to reduce the cost of your homeowner’s insurance.
