According to the FBI, there were an estimated 2.2 million home burglaries in the United States in 2018. That means there is a burglary every 13 seconds! Home security should be a top priority for all homeowners. Not only does it give you peace of mind, but it can also help you get lower insurance rates. Protecting your home with these security features can deter burglars and help keep your family safe.
#1 Get a Home Security System
The first and most obvious measure you can take is to install a home security system. Home security systems work by deterring burglars and alerting the authorities if there is a break-in. They usually include door and window sensors, sirens, and sometimes even surveillance cameras. Most importantly, make sure your system has a monitoring service so that the police will be alerted even if you’re not home.
#2 Keep Your Doors and Windows Locked
This one seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to lock their doors and windows—especially during the day when they’re running errands or at work. Make it a habit to always lock your doors and windows, even when you’re home. If you have a garage, don’t forget to keep that door locked as well.
If you own a smart home, you can take this a step further by investing in smart locks. Smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your doors from your phone or other devices. You can also give temporary access to people, like housekeepers or dog walkers, without having to give them a physical key.
#3 Invest in Good Lighting
Burglars love darkness because it makes it harder for neighbors or passersby to see what they’re doing. Good lighting can help deter burglars and make it easier for someone to spot suspicious activity. There are various lighting options you can choose from, including:
- Motion sensor lights: These lights turn on when they sense movement, which can startle burglars and make them think someone is home.
- Timers: You can buy timers for your indoor and outdoor lights so that they turn on and off at certain times. This makes it look like someone is home even when they’re not.
- Solar lights: These are a great option if you don’t want to run wires to your outdoor lights. They charge during the day and turn on automatically at night.
Be sure to install your lights in strategic places, like dark corners and doorways, for maximum security. Ensuring your property is well-lit is one of the best ways to protect your home from burglars.
#4 Don’t Advertise Your Valuables
Suppose a burglar can see that you have expensive electronics or valuable jewelry through your windows. In that case, they’ll be more likely to target your home. Keep valuables out of sight of windows and doors. If you have expensive electronics, don’t leave them in plain view of windows either—draw your curtains at night so burglars can’t see them tempting them from outside.
You can design your floor plan to limit what valuables are visible from the outside. For example, you can put your television in a room that doesn’t have any windows. Or, if you have a home office, you can position your desk, so it’s not visible from the door or windows.
You should also be careful about what you post on social media. Don’t post photos of your new home theater system or that designer handbag you just bought—you don’t want to give burglars a shopping list of what they can find in your home.
5# Protect Yourself With A Fence
A fence is a great way to deter burglars because it makes it more difficult for them to enter your property without being seen. They might be able to climb over a low fence, but it will be more difficult and time-consuming than simply walking through an open gate. Along with a dog, a fence is an extra layer of protection because burglars will be hesitant to break into a guarded home.
There are different kinds of fences available on the market. The most reliable choice you can make is by choosing a durable metal fence. Metal fences are more difficult to climb over, and last longer than other fence materials. If you’re looking for stylish metal fence designs, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can get a metal fence with spikes or barbed wire to make it even more difficult to climb over.
Home security is essential for keeping your family safe and protecting your valuables. There are lots of different measures you can take to secure your home, but these five are essential. By taking these measures, you can deter burglars and make your home a less attractive target.