There are tons of little known tricks that can help you prevent theft from your home. While some of them don’t seem like that big of a deal, sometimes the most rarely thought of tricks are the ones that work the best. Did you know that if more people just took some of the precautions we’re going to explain below that the number of burglaries would drop significantly?
You’d be surprised at just how many crimes are handed to the thief because of an unnoticed opportunity that they took advantage of, such as unlocked doors and windows, conveniently placed bushes and shrubs that covered the area of penetration and more. Today, we’re going to explain some little known tricks sent to us by experts in the security consulting field. Following their expert advice can help you prevent theft in your home and protect your assets.
Doors and Windows
One of the most common tactics a thief will use when penetrating a home is to kick the door in on itself. The best way to prevent this is to make sure your door is solid and install a deadbolt, as well as a chain and keyed lock. You can also install a peephole on your front door to see out so that you can identify visitors before accidentally opening the door to an intruder. If you have glass panels on or around your door, we recommend replacing them with either frosted glass or covers of some kind. If possible, install multiple locks that extend into your doorframe to reinforce the door itself.
Preventing Access Via the Outside
It’s important to remove the pull of easy access when it comes to your home. Install a perimeter fence or low wall to help deter a thief before they make it to the doors or windows. Trim back any of your trees, shrubs or hedges to make sure it’s easy for you to see out at potential thieves approaching your home. Don’t give a burglar the opportunity to do their work without being seen by either you or a neighbor. ALWAYS lock the doors and windows before you leave the house. We realize that it can be difficult to remember when you’re in a hurry, but this can be one of the most important steps you can take when it comes to the security of your home. Don’t leave the spare keys in obvious places and especially nowhere near the doors. Places like the front planters, under the doormat or over the doorpost is an absolute “no, no”. An intruder will check these places before trying anything else 99.9% of the time, so think like a thief and don’t leave the spare keys in any obvious places.
Going Out?
Unoccupied homes, whether for a short period of time or for days at a time are always more likely to be broken into. Take some precautions and NEVER leave tools outside that can be used to break into your home. Things like ladders, yard tools and even hammers and screwdrivers. If you’re not going to be home for even a few hours, open the curtains. It sounds kind of ridiculous, but closed curtains during the daytime make it obvious that the home isn’t occupied and it attracts burglars. Consider using automatic timer switches so that if a light goes out, it will turn back on.
Make Your House Look Occupied!
Don’t ever indicate that you aren’t home on your answering machine. Play it smart and just ask that the called leave a message. Use this same rule and don’t leave notes for any delivery or cleaning people on the front door. Send them a text or give them a call instead. When a service or delivery personnel shows up at your house, it can be smart to get their ID or confirm that you set something up and that the correct person has arrived. Don’t leave them on their own.
If you’re going out of town for an extended time, ask a neighbor to park in your driveway and open and close curtains for you. Ask if they’d be willing to collect newspaper and mail so that there isn’t a pile that makes it obvious no one is home. Another good trick is to disconnect your electric garage door opener if you’re going to be traveling. It’s not much, but it’s still a deterrent and it will make the job of a thief that much more difficult.
Don’t ever post on social media publicly that you are out of town. You never know who is watching and waiting for an opportunity to catch a house while the owner is away, and a lot of times, thieves find their targets through social media.
Yes, preparing your home in such a way as to deter criminals can be difficult, but if protecting your home is a high priority, we guarantee that the effort is well worth it. Don’t let someone take advantage of your home. Defend and protect your future today.
Recent Comments