Our homes are meant to be places of sanctuary for ourselves and our families. Indeed, alongside the practical aspects of affordability and space, one of our key priorities, when we’re looking to buy or rent a home, is generally whether it is in a safe and secure neighborhood. We can’t create a happy home environment if we’re always wondering when something is going to go wrong.
Unfortunately, home invasions and burglaries are a reality of the world we live in today. A recent Pew Research study found that burglary was the 2nd most common type of property crime in the U.S. in 2019, with 340.5 cases per 100,000 people. However, we shouldn’t treat these facts as reasons to be afraid in our own homes or to panic. Rather, this information helps us to understand what the risks are so that we can calmly and effectively improve our ability to keep our households safe.
So, where should we be focusing our security efforts? What methods, tools, and strategies can we put in place to minimize the potential risks to our secure and happy home life?
Technology
The way we live our lives today is enhanced by technology. Our homes are quickly becoming filled with assortments of computer equipment, smart devices on the Internet of Things (IoT), and smartphones. While these can represent tools to make our lives more efficient and enjoyable, there are risks involved. Our ownership of pricey equipment can make our homes attractive prospects for burglars. Not to mention that constantly sharing data across networks can make our private information vulnerable to cybercriminals.
That said, the technology evident in the IoT can also serve to improve the security and safety of our homes. Doorbell cameras have become one of the most prevalent tools at our disposal. These allow us to screen visitors to our homes and view security footage remotely via smartphone apps. There are also full smart security packages that provide indoor and outdoor cameras around all potential entry points. Recordings are usually triggered by motion sensors built into the devices, so even if burglars bypass ringing the doorbell, we can see who is trying to gain access to our homes, and alert the authorities accordingly.
When it comes to keeping your family’s private information safe from those who use less physical methods of intrusion, it’s important to be as vigilant with your devices as you would with your home. Firstly, ensure that firewalls and virus detection software are present and up to date on all computers and tablets, and run regular scans. However, the most important step is a robust password protocol. Where possible, use a password management app like LastPass or Keeper these ensure that you are always using the strongest possible passwords and that these are automatically changed frequently. Particularly when it comes to your online financial transactions, put in place 2-factor authentication that not only requires password input, but also a temporary code that is sent to your phone.
Behavior
It’s vital to acknowledge that victims are never at fault for the harm done by criminals. However, we also have to note that our own behavior can put us in a better position to prevent potential security and safety issues.
This doesn’t mean that you should live your life in paranoia, but a few actions for your focus can include:
- Discretion
We all like to celebrate our successes with gifts and treat ourselves occasionally. It’s fine to talk to friends and family in private spaces about the expensive new purchases we’ve just made. However, flaunting these in public or keeping expensive items on display in street-facing windows singles your family and may make you a target of burglars.
- Absence Advertisement
Your home can be at particular risk of break-ins when it is public knowledge that you are not at home. When preparing your home for trips or vacations, make arrangements for your mail to be delivered elsewhere to prevent it visibly piling up while you’re away. Most importantly, avoid making social media announcements about your impending trip, and delay sharing photos and updates until you return.
- Delivery Savvy
We live at a time in which online shopping deliveries are very much part of our everyday lives. However, frequent boxes being left on your doorstep can seem like an invitation to those who might advantage. If you aren’t going to be at home for deliveries, provide drivers with instructions to place them in a covered area or discrete and secure package dropbox.
- Keep Surroundings Clear
It’s not always top of our agenda to keep our yards and driveways clean but this can affect our ability to keep our houses secure. Piled-up trash, junk in the yard, even overgrown hedges provide tools for potential burglars to conceal themselves from the view of neighbors and passersby when attempting to gain access to our houses. Taking a few moments each week to keep these clear makes our homes a less practical prospect for burglars.
Community
The solution to protecting ourselves and our families from external threats is not to shut out the world. Quite the opposite; there is certainly safety in numbers. We have a better opportunity to maintain a secure environment when we seek to make meaningful connections that strengthen the communities we live in.
Building positive relationships with your neighbors is an important first step. By getting to know each other, you can start forging the bonds you need for a culture of mutual accountability. A recent study found that only 31% of Americans know all or most of their neighbors. By making efforts to connect with as many of your neighbors as possible, you can each benefit from building a stronger support network.
Once you’ve started to build relationships with neighbors, it’s useful to start or get involved with community safety initiatives such as a neighborhood watch. This not only ensures that neighbors are looking out for one another, it can also reduce unnecessary police presence and activity in the area. This builds communities that are committed to the safety of all its members in a healthy, family-friendly, and non-violent manner.
Conclusion
We all want to make sure that our homes are secure places for our families. By embracing supportive technology, and adopting safe behavior we can minimize the potential for problems. However, we must also be conscious of how our community bonds improve the environment for everyone involved.
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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