Buying a home is a huge investment. It is only apt that you take good care of the money you invested in. Protecting your home from burglary is an important part of preserving your home. Burglars are getting more creative in their approach. Homeowners should be innovative too in their methods of warding off potential burglars.
With the worsening economy, it is not surprising why burglary is on the rise. The US Department of Justice reports that burglary occurs in every 15 seconds in America. More than 6 million American homes are burgled each year. This translates to an average loss of almost $ 2,000 worth of property or damages in property. Here are some tips on how to protect your home from burglary:
1. Make Your Home Unappealing to Burglars
- Use curtains, drapes and shades to keep intruders from seeing valuables inside your house. Do not draw unnecessary attention to your house.
- Cut down bushes and shrubs especially those near windows or doors. This will make the entrance of burglars inconspicuous, making it easier for them to force entry into your home.
- Install outdoor lighting. Installing lights in the driveways, pathways and garden will enhance the scenery at the same time provide safety for the family members. A well-lit house discourages thieves from breaking in. Some landscape lights even come with special sensors which can alert homeowners in case of intrusion.
- Do not throw away empty boxes of new laptops or new high definition tv in the curb. Seeing newly bought, expensive appliances will make your home very tempting to thieves. Do not provide them a reason to target your home.
- Do an impression of movements inside the house. Thieves do not like breaking into a house filled with people. Turn on the radio even if nobody is at home. You can also use lights or appliances with timer that will turn on at an appointed time. This will simulate the presence of people inside the house.
- If you are away from home for days or weeks, let a friend regularly pick up your mails. Also, ask someone to mow your lawn or hire a reliable house sitter.
- Keep the doors locked and always use strong locks in your windows and doors. The locks must require a key to unlock it.
- Do not keep valuables in the bedroom. This is the first place the thieves would go to. Thieves only spend an average 15 minutes in the house, a large part of it is spent in the bedroom.
2. Installing Security Alarms
- Make technology work for you. If you install CCTV at home, it is easy to catch the burglar if they managed to get past the security systems.
- Home alarms would sound off if intrusion is detected.
- Motion sensing lights or motion sensors will turn on when motion is noticed. This will definitely catch the would-be burglars by burglars. This can also alert the people inside the house and the neighbors.
3. Neighborhood Watch
- Organize a neighborhood watch. Solicit the cooperation of your neighbors in maintaining the safety of your place. Neighbors should take turn looking after the houses in their neighborhood. It will be a good idea to schedule the neighbors’ watch based on their available time so everybody will be given a chance to volunteer.
- Hire security personnel to make rounds in the neighborhood. The personnel could have duty shifts to ensure that they are available during critical times.
Consider getting a homeowner’s policy. In case burglary does occur, you can be sure that you will still be protected. They cover the risks of theft inside the house. The homeowner receives financial compensation from the losses brought about by burglary.
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