The days of leaving your house unlocked or your windows open while you’re away are long gone. According to statistics, 160 burglaries occur in the United States every hour. Every day, approximately 3,840 burglaries occur.
As shocking as these statistics are, the good news is that you can take a number of preventative measures to home invasion proof your home and protect your loved ones.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of tips you can use at home to protect your family from potential criminals.
Let’s dive right in.
1. Outdoor Lighting
When breaking into a home, burglars don’t want to feel like they’re on display, and outdoor lights can help them do just that. Because these are often opportunity crimes, outdoor lights may encourage the intruder to keep moving.
Instead of leaving your outdoor light on all of the time, consider investing in motion-sensor lights that illuminate the yard when they detect movement. An intruder will be caught off guard by the light and may flee.
If you want to go the extra mile, there are many outdoor security cameras on the market. Boosting your home security camera system can keep your loved ones and property as safe as possible.
2. Burglary Bars
A burglar can typically break through a window and enter a home in 5-10 seconds. Burglars are most likely to enter your home through ground-floor windows.
Installing burglar bars on your home’s windows is an effective method of burglar-proofing. The bars are installed on the inside of the window frame and add an extra layer of security for you and your family. They aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing, but they do a good job of keeping intruders out of your home.
Any trespasser attempting to enter your home through a window will be unsuccessful if it is equipped with burglar bars. You could also double-up on window security by installing safety glass or window laminate.
3. Cover Up the Glass
While you should be able to see the road from your house, you don’t want people on the road to be able to see inside your home. This is a great tip that I learned the hard way.
A large glass sliding door and floor-to-ceiling bay window are not only visually appealing, but they also provide a clear view of the interior of your home.
Potential burglars can easily tell if anyone is home, and they have a clear view of valuable items such as televisions and decorative pieces.
Use curtains, blinds, or privacy film on the windows to block people’s views from the outside and prevent “window shopping.” They will not be tempted by what an outsider cannot see!
4. Remove Potential Intruder Hiding Spots
Trim trees and bushes that could provide a hiding place for someone or unnoticed access to your windows. Any shrubs that are tall enough to block a window should be pruned.
You should also think about the lighting on your property. Look for areas around your home that are extremely dark and could provide a thief with access to your home under the cover of darkness.
Consider installing lights in various locations that can illuminate entrances. Motion detection spotlights are the best option for saving energy while not bothering your neighbors or yourself with bright lights.
5. Changing Locks
If you’ve recently purchased a home from someone, the first thing you should do is meet the locksmith at your new residence. You have no idea who is lurking around with a spare key, waiting for the right moment to use it.
Furthermore, if you’ve recently gone through a breakup or divorce, it’s time to change the locks. The person may return the key to you, but you have no idea how many duplicates exist. It’s a good idea to have the locks changed for your own peace of mind.
Not only that, you need to make sure that your locks are secure. Here are 6 reliable home security locks you need to check out.
6. Connecting with your Neighbors
Ask for the assistance of your neighbors the next time you plan to go on vacation. Inviting them to visit your home every evening or every few days will demonstrate activity in the home or give the impression that you have visitors. This will deter criminals from seeing your home as an easy target.
7. Make it Seem like Someone is Home
Most burglars will not enter your home if you are present. They’d rather find an empty house and move in as soon as possible. As a result, making it appear as if someone is home at all times is one of the best ways to deter intruders.
This could include leaving an interior light or the TV on during the workday. When you’re gone for an extended period of time, such as a vacation, have a neighbor or family member collect your mail, as mail piling up can be an indication that the homeowner is gone for an extended period of time.
Smart lights can create an even more convincing illusion: many of them can be programmed to turn on and off at regular intervals to simulate a person being at home.
8. A Safe to Store your Valuables
Consider purchasing a safe or lockbox to store valuables such as cash, jewelry, important documents, and other items you don’t want a thief to take.
When it comes to larger items like electronics, you can make them more difficult to steal by storing them in a hidden location when not in use. Thieves want to get in and out of your house as quickly as possible, so even a minor deterrent can help.
9. Protect Your Windows
If you’re getting new windows for your house, it might be worth the extra money to get shatterproof glass. This would prevent someone from breaking a window and entering your home.
If replacing windows is out of the question, consider adding a security film to the windows. This will keep the glass from shattering when it breaks and may deter thieves from continuing their break-in attempt.
10. Add Home Security System Signs To Your Lawn
Even if you don’t have a security system, something as simple as a home security sign in your front yard can make your home safer.
According to a 2012 report from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, 60 percent of burglars surveyed said that the presence of a burglar alarm system would cause them to choose another property.
11. Invest in Special Storage Products
While burglars may search for a traditional safe inside your home to find valuable possessions, they are unlikely to take every book on your bookshelf or every soda can from the fridge.
That’s why, according to Canavan, a diversion safe—ones that “look like everyday items”—is a simple and inexpensive way to keep your valuables safe.
12. Never Reveal Your Location on Social Media
This is another great home security tip. If you’re going on vacation, keep a low profile. Because burglars can find your home much more easily than you think, broadcasting your updates on social media is akin to inviting them in.
Only share your experience once you return home.
What to do when someone breaks into your home
In the scenario where you have done everything above and someone still breaks into your home, you need to be prepared with a few things. You can purchase non-lethal home security weapons to stun the intruders while authorities arrive.
The other option could be to make your own homemade weapons. Homemade pepper spray and the homemade taser shown in the article above are very effective when trying to subdue the intruder.
Bonus Video
Conclusion
As times get gradually worse, don’t wait until your house gets broken into to protect against intruders. Take home safety measures now.
Now is the time to burglar-proof your home. After you have implemented a few of these preventative security measures, here are some surprising home security mistakes you might be making.
If you are looking for the best industrial guardrails in Brisbane, click there.
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