(Newswire.net — April 5, 2017) — Burglaries are a constant threat to homeowners in the United States, but with these steps, you can defend your home and family from a costly situation.
1. Update Locks
The front door is the most common way that a burglar will enter a home, making up about 34 percent of break-ins, so making sure the locks are up to date is crucial to home security. On top of that, a majority of break-ins are classified as unlawful entries, meaning the thief entered without breaking the lock. Locking all doors and windows can deter a burglar who otherwise may have seen your house as a prime target.
2. Skip the Spare Key
Many homes in America keep a spare key near the front door for times that keys are lost or forgotten, but burglars know and exploit this. Common places to keep keys are in or around the mailbox, under the doormat, or in a potted plant, so a burglar looking to get access to your home will look in these places first. It’s best to not leave a spare key at all, but if you must have one, leave it with a trustworthy neighbor or friend instead.
3. Install Security Lights
Security lights deter burglars from getting close enough to a house to break into it. These can convince a potential burglar that someone is home and that they may be seen. Even in the middle of the night or when no one is home, keeping the lights on may be enough to make the burglar reconsider approaching your home. If you can’t afford to add exterior lights, think about keeping the porch light or the front room lights on.
4. Install a Security System
Image via Flickr by Mr.TinDC
Homes without security systems are two to three times more likely to be broken into than those with security systems. Even if you don’t splurge on the latest technology, installing a simple alarm that goes off when a window opens is often enough to expose the would-be burglar and send him away. For added protection, place a sign in a highly visible location that tells the neighborhood that your home is protected. Even if it isn’t, it may provide the doubt a burglar needs to move on.
5. Don’t Show Off
While property crime has been on the decline in recent years, it hasn’t disappeared. In fact, many people are comfortable leaving bikes on the front lawn or windows open to display their matching furniture set, but this can be a tip-off to burglars that your home is worth the time to rob. Remember to keep the curtains closed when you’re not at home, and try rearranging the furniture so that it’s not as visible when the curtains are open. Don’t throw out any new appliance boxes either. Seeing an empty TV box on the curb is a sign to burglars that your home has a brand new appliance that can be resold at a high price.
While a home burglary can’t be prevented completely, these steps can help prevent your home from being the next victim of American property crime.