Home burglaries and thefts can happen in the best of neighborhoods and safest of cities.
This post outlines some simple ways to reduce the likelihood of you becoming a victim.
Lock your doors
This sounds obvious, but do you always lock your doors when just going next door or to the corner store? Many homeowners leave the door from their garage unlocked, assuming that the garage door itself is protection enough. However, every lock is another time-consuming obstacle for a burglar. Take full advantage of this default line of defense.
Maintain your locks and door frame
Over time, locks can break or become loose, and door frames can deteriorate. Be aware of whether or not your doors are closing and locking properly. If your door frames are wooden rather than metal, you may want to purchase a reinforcement kit that makes it more difficult to kick the door in.
Check your windows
Treat your windows as doors. All windows should have sturdy, working locking mechanisms installed. Be especially careful of windows that are obscured by trees or bushes, allowing criminals to work out of sight of passerby and neighbors. Finally, check the frames to ensure they are stable and offer the necessary security.
Illuminate the outside of your home
Any light is good, but motion sensing lights are particularly helpful in surprising and scaring away anyone lurking around your home. Other lighting will also help as it eliminates the cover of darkness that most criminals want. Focus lighting entrances to your home and on any outbuildings that might present targets.
Install security cameras
Security cameras have become affordable and easy to use. Many options on the market work over Wi-Fi and can be set up in minutes and connected to a smartphone application. Make at least some of these cameras visible in order to make your home a less appealing target.
Rethink that spare key
Do you keep a spare key under a rock in the garden? Underneath a large potted plant? Right under or over a ledge? Criminals know where to look, and it’s difficult to come up with a hiding spot they won’t think to check. If you absolutely must keep a spare key around, be very careful and hide it away from the door.
You cannot completely eliminate the chance of theft so you should have a homeowners’ insurance policy in place, just in case.
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