6 Ways to Protect Your Home From Intruders
Home break-ins are more common than many homeowners realize. According to FBI statistics, household burglaries are committed about every thirteen seconds in the United States. Even worse, it’s estimated that only one out of ten crimes are reported to the police.
If you want to do everything possible to protect your home from intruders, there are a few simple steps you can take.
Install a security system with motion detectors and outdoor lighting
Keeping your doors locked, windows closed, and lights on are not enough to keep all robbers away. To properly protect your home, you need to have an alarm system installed in addition to the basics above. Having both is also ideal for when one of these precautions fails.
An alarm system is not expensive but can save you thousands in damages or stolen valuables.
Get a dog for an added layer of protection
If you don’t want to install an alarm system because they are too expensive, get a family dog instead. Dogs have the ability to sense when someone is outside your home long before you ever would. Not to mention, dogs are also excellent at alerting you when someone is inside your home who should not be there.
The added benefit of having a dog inside your home is that they can often deter potential criminals just by barking. If the sight and sound of big dogs do not scare them away, then knowing that an alarm system is installed will.
Keep your doors locked and windows closed
The number one way to ensure that you are not an easy target for burglars, no matter where you live, is to keep your doors locked at all times. This should go without saying but even if you have a dog or security system, it only works if the front door is locked.
Unfortunately, many people fail to do this and often leave their front door unlocked when they are at home. If you can’t bring yourself to use a security system because of the cost, get an expensive dog instead.
Install some home automation
These days, there are more types of modern technology than ever that can help you protect your home. You can even get simple automation that allows you to control the lights, locks, and alarms with an app on your phone!
These devices are not extremely complicated but can be very effective at deterring robbers by making it seem like everyone is home when they’re not. If an intruder thinks someone might be around to hear them break-in, they’re less likely to try.
In addition, smart locks allow you to lock and unlock doors without a key which is great if you want some extra security at night or when you leave your home for an extended period of time.
Home automation devices typically come with an app that controls everything. You can even use the same app to turn on your lights when you are away or open your curtain with the click of a button. If someone tries to break in, they won’t be able to do too much damage if all the windows and doors are locked.
Replace old or damaged windows
Windows replacement is another way to make your home more secure. If there are any old or broken windows in your house, replacing them is an essential security upgrade that you should take care of immediately.
Even if all the other precautions are taken, it’s easier for criminals to get inside your home when the window has been shattered.
Change the locks on all doors after moving into a new home or if you notice any suspicious activity around your property
Even though changing the locks on your home is often an overreaction, it’s still something you should do immediately if you have recently moved to a new place or have noticed any suspicious activity outside of your home.
If you are suspicious about the people who live next door or down the street, getting new locks is an easy way to improve your home’s security.
Conclusion
There are many ways to keep your home safe from intruders, but you don’t have to spend a fortune if you do it smartly.
Install an alarm system or get a dog for extra protection. Make sure all the doors are locked and windows are closed at all times if no one is home. Buy new locks if you just moved into a new house or have recently noticed any suspicious activity outside of your home. One final tip is to avoid leaving tools out in the open if it makes you feel more comfortable.
If you follow these simple steps, there’s nothing stopping you from making your home as secure as possible!
