According to the FBI, a burglary occurs every 25.7 seconds in the United States. From cities to rural areas, houses to apartments, criminals can target any sort of residence.
Because of that, it’s important to take steps to protect your home from burglary. The majority of properties that intruders break into don’t have any form of home protection or deterrent.
But what if you don’t know how to protect your home from burglary?
Keep reading to learn about nine home security tips that can help you and your family stay safe.
1. Upgrade Your Doors
Many people are under the misconception that burglars sneak through windows or lockpick their ways into doors. While some may enter that way, many are able to just walk through the front door.
Make sure that you lock your home at all times, whether you’re at home or out of the house. If your home doesn’t have them already, installing a deadbolt or a strike plate can also be a good idea.
2. Secure the Windows
After tackling your house’s doors, turn your attention to the windows. These are another common point of entry that burglars and intruders use to get into your house.
While the locks that come with your windows are better than nothing, they don’t do a good job at keeping skilled intruders out. Consider installing additional locks to help secure your home.
Planting prickly bushes along your first-story windows can also be a good deterrent.
3. Turn on the Lights
Burglars and intruders rely on the cover of darkness. They have an easy time approaching and sneaking into homes that have no outdoor lights.
While you shouldn’t have to install a spotlight on the exterior of your home, adding outdoor lights can help deter intruders. Put lights by pathways, the garage, and the front door.
Aside from keeping your home safe, you also won’t have to worry about tripping when you get home at night!
4. Install a Security System
Of course, one of the best ways to secure your house is with a home security system. Whether that means having a DIY system or a professional setup that offers around-the-clock monitoring, anything is better than nothing.
To find the right system for you, consider what sort of neighborhood you live in. Are you fine with a simple alarm system, or do you need something more secure and comprehensive?
Check out this site to find out more about what goes into a security system installation process.
5. Secure Your WiFi Network
Aside from getting access to banking information and other sensitive materials, burglars can also use your home’s WiFi network to learn more about your house.
If you have smart or automated security devices connected to your WiFi networks, they may even be able to disable them before breaking in.
Make sure that you have a firewall, a strong password, and a reliable antivirus program to keep you safe.
6. Consider Getting Security Cameras
Security cameras are one of the best deterrents against home invaders. Sometimes, just having cameras outside of your doors is enough to scare burglars away altogether.
Aside from serving as a deterrent, cameras are also practical. If someone does break into your home, they may help you identify who the intruder is, helping you ultimately get justice.
Cameras can work alone or as part of a security system. They can come with advanced features like night vision, motion detection, and two-way talking.
7. Put Valuables in a Safe
If someone does manage to break into your home, you don’t want them to be able to get away with anything valuable. Make sure to store your most valuable and expensive items in a locked safe.
Put everything from expensive jewelry to documents like passports and Social Security cards inside the safe. For more protection, get a safe that offers multiple locks instead of just one.
Storing your valuables in a safe will also protect them from fire, water, and other types of damage.
8. Use Smart Devices
If you’ve dipped your toes into the world of smart devices, better security is a good reason to fully take the plunge. Automated and smart devices often do a great job at protecting your home.
Smart cameras can provide you with an instant video feed that shows when anyone arrives at your home, while a smart doorbell that has a two-way talk system can scare away intruders.
You can even schedule lights and TVs to turn on when you’re out of the house, Home Alone style, to convince anyone watching that people are home.
9. Don’t Forget About the Garage
Another common entry point that many people forget about is their garage. Whether or not burglars can break into actual homes, many people have plenty of expensive things taking up space in their garages.
Make sure that you always lock your garage doors, both on the inside and the outside. If you have a garage door opener, try and remember to keep it inside of your house instead of in the garage.
You can also look into things like smart garage doors and extra locks.
Wondering How to Protect Your Home From Burglary? Follow These Tips
Most people don’t get to work securing their home until it’s too late. If you’re wondering how to protect your home from burglary, make sure to incorporate some of the home security tips mentioned in this guide.
You don’t want to jeopardize the safety of you, your family, or your home.
Did you find these home security tips to be helpful? If so, then make sure to check out some of our other posts for more helpful guides and tips.
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