No home is immune from robbery and theft. It is our responsibility to keep our homes safe and secure from any danger. We may not be able to eliminate all the risks, but we can reduce the likelihood of being a target for criminals.
Keeping your home less attractive to criminals is worth every effort and money. The loss of something valuable is somewhat manageable, but mental and emotional trauma is hard for many victims of burglary. You will carry it for a long time.
There are ways that can help protect your family and home from criminals. Here are some useful tips:
Remove any potential hiding spots
Any hiding spots should be eliminated. Trim the shrubs in your yard, clear any branches or low lying tree that will serve as a potential hiding spot. Reduce the presence of overgrown plants and keep your yard clear and clean. Don’t forget to put your ladder or stool away. Make sure the garage is locked.
Secure all entryways
Make sure to secure all entryways in your home. The locks on every door should be replaced if you are not the first tenant. Always check all doors are locked before you go to sleep, do this every day. Burglars like sliding doors or windows because it’s easy to sneak in and it doesn’t cause too much noise. Make sure you secure the sliding windows and doors using a window bar or install a door sensor. Putting prickly plants near the window can also help.
Be friends with neighbours
A close-knit community tends to have a lower case of crimes. It is because they help take care of one another and will often be the first few people to notice a stranger in your house. Neighbours are like our extra set of surveillance, especially when there is no one in your home.
Consider a security system
Installing a security system can give you peace of mind and assurance that no intruders can get near your family members. You can choose from a simple to a more complex system. A basic system includes sensors, alarms, and locks. You need to contact a reliable security system for proper installation. You can monitor your home through the phone when you avail the smart system.
Store valuables in a safe place
When you have valuables at home, keep them in a safe box or place them in a secure place. This may include jewellery, weapons, and cash. It is better to have a mounted type safe box because this thief can carry it with them. Hide it in a not-so-common area.
Secure Wifi connection
This is often a forgotten part of home security. The wireless network at home is rich in information that can lead to leaks and giving the criminal direct contact of your home. This is particularly dangerous when you have home automation installed for security. Hackers can use this connection to steal information and money.
Secure your connection by enabling WPA, securing the router, hiding your home network, creating strong passwords, installing anti-virus and firewalls.
Proper lightings in the yard
A dark yard is attractive to any criminals. They get to do a lot when your surrounding areas are dark and with limited lighting. Attach a motion sensor light around the house. There is also light with a timer if you are on vacation.
Get a dog
If you love dogs and have to space and time to care for them, then getting a dog is an added benefit. They are naturally protective, and their extreme sense of smell can detect danger. Their barking is a natural alarm system at home and can be aggressive when someone is intruding their territory.
Build a fence
Building a fence is better than relying on shrubs to keep your home away from criminals. There are plenty of fences on the market that serve as a thief deterrent. Putting up a fence can also protect your privacy and minimize your home’s exposure from the inside, which is attractive to many criminals.
What Criminals Notice
Prevention is always the key to avoiding crime at your home. Understanding how they think can give you an idea of what not to do, and oftentimes it is the simple things we do at home that give them big insights.
Leaving toys unattended in the yard gives them a hint of the type of person you are. And this will attract thieves when toys that you own are expensive. When you are travelling, find a way to not let your mail leave unattended. You can either ask your neighbour to help you get the mail or simply redirect it to a temporary mailbox.
Protecting your home from larceny is not complicated. There are many ways available, but you need to take action and be proactive in avoiding dangers.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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