Installing alarms and video surveillance is the ultimate way to keep your home safe and secure from burglary and home invasion. However, they are not the only ways. Beyond investing in a home security system, there are some easy, common-sense hacks that can help keep your home safe from theft. If you already have a home security system, these work great in tandem or, if not, they can still help to scare off any would-be home invaders. You can put these tips to use without any special training or tools so, check them out!
Trim Those Hedges!
No thief is going to break into your house on a whim. They are a little wilier than that. Before they make their move, they will case the property and figure out when you are least likely to be home. Therefore, you need to make sure that any hedges, tree lines, or shrubbery are well maintained. Not only does having a well-groomed yard remove any potential hiding spots, but it also shows a thief that you are vigilant about your property and are regularly home.
Don’t Make It So Easy!
You know those little fake rocks that people put outside their homes, maybe in the garden somewhere? You can hide a key in there just in case you get locked out. They’re so cute, aren’t they? No! They’re making it too easy for a burglar to enter your home. Anyone can easily spot a fake rock hiding a key. All they would have to do is pick it up and enter the premise like anyone else. If you are worried about getting locked out, keep a spare key with a neighbor or in your car.
Add a Dead Bolt to Your Door
Picking a lock is not as easy as it’s made to look on television, but that doesn’t mean that all locks are created equal. Some, such as push and turn doorknob locks, can be overridden with the slip of a credit card. But you know what isn’t going to break easily or be overcome with a simple piece of plastic? A deadbolt. Without a battering ram, no one is going to break through one square inch of reinforced steel. Even without a security system, a good set of door and window locks can stop a thief in their tracks.
Secure Your Windows
And that brings us to our next point. If you’re going to secure your doors, go ahead and do your windows too. When thieves go around casing homes, they often do so just by checking windows. An open window is an open invitation to enter your property. If you don’t have window locks, now is the time to upgrade. If you do already have window locks, be sure to go around and check them. If you are at home, of course, feel free to open the window but, when you are finished, remember to close and lock the seal.
Hide Your Valuables
Getting new toys is always fun, but if you leave any sight of them out by the trashcan, it could invite unwanted attention. Televisions, gaming consoles, and stereo systems all come in rather large packaging, so it might not seem easy to get rid of it without the rest of the neighborhood seeing. Consider using a box cutter to break down boxes into smaller squares that can be disposed of without showing off. If your new electronic equipment comes with any Styrofoam, you can do the same. It would be a real shame to lose something you only just lost because you tried disposing of the packaging.
Never Underestimate the Power of Lighting
Lights, camera, action! Or, in this case, just lights. If you’ve already gone about removing some hedging from your lawn, why not take the next step and put in a motion-activated light. Thieves don’t want to be seen, and putting in some good lighting can keep them from even coming closer. Although most break-ins occur in the day, that doesn’t mean an opportunist isn’t going to come back and snatch some outdoor equipment. A good motion activated light or an alarm can alert you that someone is on the premises and give you a good line of sight over your property.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! As you can see, it doesn’t take much to boost your home’s security. By making a few changes, you can keep thieves out and away from your home entirely. The best way to stop a thief from breaking in is to stop them from even taking the chance!
Avner is the owner of Security Camera NY, a locally-owned security & surveillance systems company that has been serving clients in the NYC Tri-State area since 2004. Avner’s and his team bring together years of experience and expertise providing security solutions for residential and commercial properties.
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