6 inexpensive ways to burglar proof your home
Did you know that one crime is committed every one minute in most big cities and that a large percentage of these crimes are burglaries?
Protecting your home and family from burglaries is your responsibility and doing so shouldn’t break your bank.
In this article, you will learn about 6 inexpensive ways you can protect your home against burglars.
1. Properly lock all doors and windows
Crime statistics show that most burglaries are crimes of opportunity. When a burglar sees an easy access point into your house via an unlocked door or window, they take advantage of it. More than 30% of burglars enter through the front door and they typically complete their job within 8 to 10 minutes.
But you can prevent this from happening by adopting the habit of properly locking all your doors and windows, especially when leaving the house. You should also keep easy to access doors and windows properly locked even when you are at home.
2. Update your locks
One of the things you should do when you move into a new house is to replace all the locks and keys. You never can tell who has a spare and who can enter into your home at anytime. Changing the lock and keys of your new house is an essential security precaution that will save you a lot of heartache in the future.
Also, if you have lived in your present house for a long time, it is also a good idea to replace all the locks and keys. This is because the locks on your doors and windows may have worn out over time, and worn out locks are very easy for burglars to pick.
Get a locksmith or visit the hardware store and get ANSI Grade 1 and 2 deadbolts for exterior doors, and make sure all the windows have proper locking system.
3. Keep all valuables out of sight
When you flaunt your valuables, you are tempting thieves and giving them a reason to be attracted to your house. This is why you should avoid keeping valuables where they can be seen from the outside. Most especially, cash, jewellery and expensive artworks should be kept in a safe location.
And if there is a need to display these items in your house, such as hanging artworks on the wall, be sure to have effective window treatments like blinds and thick curtains to prevent passers-by from seeing the inside of your house.
Burglars won’t come to your house when they are not sure of finding anything worth taking.
4. Consider inexpensive home security
Keeping your doors and windows locked is just your first line of defence. You can take things a step further by installing a burglar alarm/ security system.
There are lots of inexpensive home security devices you can install in your house to deter intruders and burglars. Depending on your budget, you can get a home security device that is either just a burglar alarm or one that comes with an in-built camera. Very few thieves will confidently burglarise a house when they know that their faces will be captured on a camera for everyone to see.
But protecting your house from intruders is not all a home security system is good for. A home security system can help you get a good deal when you shop for house insurance, as insurance providers know that houses with such an equipment have a lesser risk of getting burglarised.
5. Install exterior lights
The type of trade they are into requires that burglars operate more in the dark. And when you house is surrounded by darkness at night, it is easier for them to case your property and gain access without anyone knowing.
To prevent this from happening, invest in exterior lights for your property. Put a light on the porch, side of the house and back. This way, every part of your property will be well lighted and burglars won’t have any dark corner to hide in.
6. Be creative about your key hiding place
Burglars tend to look in the usual places when searching for a spare key. This means that under the foot mat, inside the flower pot, and under that loose brick are some of the worst places to keep a spare key.
Instead of keeping your key in obvious places, give a spare key to a trusted neighbour or think of a place where no one will know to check as your key hiding place.
