How To Protect Your Home From Burglars

Burglary is by far the most serious threat to our home. According to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, common crimes, including burglary, fell to a record low in the past six months. However, doubts about neighborhood security still linger, with around one in every two families still worried about burglaries in their neighborhood.

But did you know that ninety percent of break-ins are preventable since intruders often prey on our mistakes instead of using forced entry? There are practical measures you can take to boost your home’s security and make it burglary-resistant.

Here are tips you can use to help keep your home safe from thieves:

1. Install exterior lighting

Outside lighting is one of the cheapest and most effective deterrents to crime. Ensure that the outside of your home is sufficiently lit and consider installing lights in shadowed areas. Better yet, install motion sensor lights. Motion sensor lights are more likely to scare off a would-be burglar when they click on.

2. Secure Doors and Windows

Most burglars come in through an unlocked door or window. Remember, the first line of defense in your home’s security is having solid core exterior doors with high quality deadbolt locks. Sliding glass doors are especially vulnerable if they do not have proper locks, so check with the manufacturer for the right ones.

3. Get A Dog

Dogs are not only “man’s best friend”, they’re also a burglar’s worst enemy. Most burglars avoid houses with dogs since they don’t want to be seen, caught or bitten. And while you might feel safer with a large dog that could do bodily harm, the most important aspect is having a dog that sounds an alarm with its bark. For those living in condominiums, better make sure that the condo is pet-friendly to avoid any hassle.

4. Install Surveillance Cameras

It can be a bit costly but a video surveillance system can help you sleep better at night. It acts as a deterrent to burglars, especially when you’re out of the house or on vacation. But if you don’t want to go the full route of installing a system, you can put up a “dummy” camera or two to give the illusion of protection. Although if a crime occurs, it can’t provide evidence.

5. Put up Warning Signs

Got a home security system or a dog? Share that info with signage on your fence, door or window. It makes your home less of a target if burglars think or see you’re well protected. But a word of caution, while having this kind of signage can be to your advantage, it could also make burglars wonder what you have that’s worth protecting.

6. Draw the blinds

Use drapes, shades and other window treatments to keep potentially tempting household items out of view. Burglary is sometimes a crime of opportunity and “window-shopping” is one way criminals select potential targets.

7. Make your home look occupied

Homes are prone to burglary if thieves have reason to believe the owners are on vacation. Do anything you can do to make your home look occupied while you’re away. Lessen obvious signs of an empty house by asking a friend or family member to pick up your mail and newspapers each day and pop inside to open and close a few curtains and drapes. If you’re going on a road trip, ask a neighbor to park his or her car in the driveway and always be sure to leave a few lights on.

8. Invest in a home alarm system

Besides making noise when there’s an intruder, a home alarm also calls for help. They’re a bit expensive but it does its job of keeping burglars at bay. If you have valuables that need protection, burglaries are rampant in your area and you’re away from home for long stretches, a home alarm system could be a good option for you.

Your home is your castle so it’s not a surprise that you need to feel safe and secure in them. Protecting your home and family from criminal intrusion should be high on your list of priorities. Remember, prevention is the best defense.

Have you had any experiences with break-ins? Do you have additional tips to help avoid the potential for one?