You probably lock your doors and windows, but do you feel safe in your home? Here are some ways that you can make your home a little more secure so you can keep your valuables and family safe from burglars.
Make Minor Home Improvements
You should make some minor improvements to your home. This can range from Trex fencing to window locks. When you think of the previous contractors, handymen, owners, and realtors who had access to your home, you worry that anyone could just walk into your home. If you don’t have one already, get a new deadbolt lock installed to your front door, along with a chain lock. Also, utilise key cutting services to upgrade your locks and provide new keys for extra security.
Notice Any Potential Weaknesses
Take note of any weak spots that could lure burglars into your home. Along with your home’s main entrance and back door, the front door is just as important. Install a hardwood or steel door instead of a hollow front door. Try Forever Iron for a custom wrought iron door and additional security. This can prevent intruders from kicking your front door open to enter.
If you need additional protection, you can purchase a four-screw deadbolt strike plate at any hardware store or home improvement store. These screws are typically three inches long so they attach to the door frame. You can also purchase a door reinforcement kit for less than $100, which protects your door’s weak spots.
Trick Burglars Into Thinking You’re Home
It’s especially important to trick burglars into thinking your home is occupied when you’re away from home. Most burglaries occur drying the day when most people are away at school or work. There are some burglars who still target homes late at night when people are asleep. Trick them into thinking you’re around by using a fake television that flashes colors and lights that keeps burglars at bay.
Use Warning Signs
Since burglars are looking for the easiest house to break into, they don’t want to run into a vicious dog. If you don’t own a dog, you can still keep a “Beware of Dog” sign in your front yard or on your fence. You can make it look legit by keeping a dog bowl outside, playing the sound of dogs barking, or having fake security cameras in your backyard to scare off burglars.
If you own a home security system, post the decals around your home. Some people who pay a membership or monthly fee for a security alarm keep a sign in their yards. However, if you display a sign near your home, the burglars will think that every other house on the block doesn’t have a security alarm, placing them in danger.
Leave the Lights On After You Leave
You should keep the lights on from the inside of your home. You should also consider having light timers close to your windows. You want them behind your curtains so burglars can’t see them. Light timers are affordable and can be purchased anywhere.
The outside of your home should be lit as well. This can scare off potential burglars from breaking into your home. Motion-sensor lights should be placed at your main entrance, front doorways, and backdoor. Some motion-sensor lights allow you to turn the lights on and off with your smartphone.
Be Mindful About Vacations
Since vacation is a time to relax, you don’t want to worry about your home when you’re away. Burglars will look for weak spots and signs that show you’re away from your home. Don’t let your mail pile up while you’re away. Have a family member or a trusted neighbor to look after your home. If you know you’ll be away for a few days, temporarily stop your mail and newspaper delivery.
Ask a friend or neighbor to handle your garbage cans on trash day. Avoid sharing your vacation on social media until you return home. Most people’s addresses are easy to find online these days. You don’t want to target a potential burglar with access to your home. Wait until you return home to share your vacation photos.
Hide Your Precious Valuables
Storing your valuables in a safe won’t be enough if the burglars can walk away with it. You should get a safe that bolts to the floor. You should get creative about the way you hide your valuables. Don’t advertise the gadgets and luxury décor you have in your home, no matter how much you want to.
This can make your home the perfect target for a burglary. Some burglars have revealed that they look into the bedside tablet, dresser drawers, and the medicine cabinets for valuables. Think of some creative places where burglars wouldn’t look. Leave a dead laptop by your front door so a burglar will grab it and leave.
