Protect Your Home From Theft

Protecting Your Home

It’s always important to protect your home from being burglarized, but how do you do it? Here are a few ways to protect your home from theft, both on the outside and the inside.

Outside

1. Trim shrubbery

Overgrown shrubbery provides an easy spot for thieves to hide when attempting to break in. Eliminating hiding places may also eliminate your chances of getting broken in to. You may even want to consider planting thorny bushes around your windows to make it difficult, and painful, to break into your home.

2. Prune trees

If you have a two-story home, a thief may scale a tree to attempt to get into an upstairs window if the branches are long enough. Narrow down that chance by keeping your trees close to your home pruned.

3. Use a fence

A fence made with a chain-link or ornamental fencing works well to protect your home, especially if they are secured into concrete to prevent them from lifting. Solid fences are easier to climb and offer even more places to hide! If you still prefer a solid fence, you can secure them better by using sharp, pointed tops.

4. Store expensive items

Expensive items, such as a car or a grill, left out in the open makes your home an easy target. While it may seem like a hassle to have to get these items out of your garage or shed every time you want to use them, it’s definitely worth it. Thieves don’t even need to enter your home to steal these items. If your area only has street parking, keep your car locked and be sure to park in well-lit areas.

5. Install motion-sensor lighting

Install motion-sensor lights around all entrances for your home and around the garage. In addition to adding extra lighting, the motion sensor will detect the thief before they can even make it to the door or window.

6. Know your neighbors

It has been shown that crime is lower in tight-knit communities because neighbors are more likely to look out for each other. Neighbors offer extra eyes, especially if you aren’t home for the day or are away on vacation.

7. Use curtains for your garage and basement

Odds are these areas won’t need sunlight. Use curtains to cover any windows in these spots to add extra privacy and hide any items that you have stored there.

Inside

1. Change the locks

When moving into a new home, make sure to change the locks as soon as possible. If you are moving into an apartment, ask the landlord to change them. Even if the previous tenant has handed in their keys, you have no way of knowing whether that person made and distributed other copies.

2. Keep doors and windows locked

Open doors and windows are an invitation in for burglars. Make sure that all exterior doors have deadbolt locks and that windows lock securely. A thief can easily spot a window that can be forced open. Lock your door when you leave your house, no matter how long you will be gone.

3. Secure valuables

Get a lockbox to secure your valuables in. If the lockbox is small and isn’t mounted on the wall, consider bolting it to the floor. Often, a burglar will take the box with them, so don’t give them that opportunity!

4. Home security system

There are many different security systems with countless features. Find the ones that best fit your needs and install them in your home. Make sure that the company you choose is well-known and has good reviews. After the system is installed, make sure you use it!