Did you know a burglary happens every 20.9 seconds in the U.S.? This fact shows why it’s crucial to protect your home. No matter if you own or rent, it’s important to do basic things for home security. This will lower the chance of a break-in and let you feel safer.
Key Takeaways:
- Landscape your property with safety in mind
- Consult your local police department for insights on break-in trends
- Get to know your neighbors and establish a sense of community
- Invest in outdoor lighting to deter potential intruders
- Secure delivered packages and manage your visibility
- Develop a safety routine of locking doors, shutting windows, and arming your alarm system
- Protect outdoor valuables and create a plan for when you’re away
- Review your homeowners insurance to ensure adequate coverage
Assessing Door and Window Security
Focusing on making your doors and windows secure is key for home safety. This keeps your home and those you love safe from thieves.
Locking Doors and Windows
Start by locking your doors and windows all the time. Even a quick trip can be long enough for a burglar. They look for easy targets like open doors and windows.
Upgrade old locks to more secure ones. Deadbolts really help protect your doors from break-ins. They add extra security, making it hard for intruders to get in.
When you move into a new place, always change the locks. This prevents anyone with the old keys from entering your home.
Secure Key Storage
Don’t hide spare keys in common spots. Use a lockbox that’s tough and needs a key or code. This way, your hidden key won’t lead to unwanted visitors in your home.
Strengthening Door Frames and Window Locks
Make your doors harder to break down by adding plywood or metal to the frames. This makes kicking a door in very difficult.
Burglars can also enter through windows. Add window locks to stop them. These locks keep you safe while letting fresh air in.
Creating the Illusion of Occupancy
Make it look like someone’s always home, even when you’re out. This wards off burglars looking for empty homes.
Use timers on lights and radios. They will turn on and off like someone’s there. It’s an easy way to make your home seem lived in when you’re away.
Regularly check your door and window security. Improving your home’s safety with these tips cuts the risk of burglaries. It gives you more peace of mind, knowing your home is safer.
Now, we’ll look at how better outdoor lighting and yard work can boost your home’s security.
Enhancing Outdoor Lighting and Landscaping
Investing in outdoor lighting boosts your home’s safety. Bright exteriors make burglars think twice, since they usually strike in the dark. With your property well-lit, hiding spots decrease and visibility increases. Adding motion detectors and infrared lights also helps spot any unusual movement. These tools not only improve security but also make life easier by turning on lights when needed.
It’s best to mix different types of outdoor lights for top security. Ambient, accent, and task lights together make your home look lived-in, even when you’re out. Place lights wisely, like around your house’s edge, on pathways, and by doors. Adding landscape lights can also show off your home’s best features and keep the place bright.
Landscaping also impacts your home’s safety. Keep plants trimmed to avoid hidden areas that burglars might like. This keeps the space open and reduces the chance of unwanted visitors. A well-tended landscape not only looks nice but also helps keep off intruders.
For more defense, think about a fence or a hedge. These add an extra physical barrier that can discourage break-ins.
“Proper lighting and landscaping can greatly enhance the security of your home. By making your property well-lit and unattractive to potential intruders, you can significantly reduce the chances of a break-in.” – Home Security Expert
Always check and maintain your outdoor lights to keep them working well. It’s good to tweak the settings of the sensors too. These steps help create a safe and bright outdoor space, making your home more secure.
Safeguarding Valuables and Concealing Them
To keep your valuables safe from theft, it’s smart to hide them well. A hidden, fireproof safe is a top choice. Put it in a spot thieves won’t easily find. Choose a safe that fits what you need, like for cash or jewelry.
It’s key to make a list of your valuables. Take pictures and do appraisals. Store this info outside your home, like in a bank or a safe digital place. This list helps you keep track and proves ownership if you ever need it. If someone does steal from you, a detailed list can help the police get your things back.
For hiding your valuables, pass on obvious spots. Think of places thieves wouldn’t guess. You might hide things in a secret spot in a door or up high in a disguised area. Unique hiding spots can keep your valuables safe during a robbery.
You can also mark your items with engraving tools. This makes it easier to ID your things if they’re recovered. By putting a name or unique number on items, you could get them back if the police find them.
Keeping your valuables safe at home is very important. Follow these tips, like using a hidden safe and keeping a detailed list. This way, you lower the chances of theft and increase the odds of getting your stuff back.
Home Security While You’re Away
When heading out for vacation, protecting your home is key. Some simple steps can make your place look lived-in. This can scare off thieves and keep your stuff safe.
Use timers to turn lights and gadgets on and off. This tricks outsiders into thinking someone is there. Thinking of smart home gear? You can control these things from afar, too.
Pause mail and paper deliveries. Too much mail says no one’s been home lately. Have a neighbor check for you to keep up appearances.
Don’t leave notes about being away. This can invite trouble. Instead, spread the news to trusted neighbors. They can help keep watch.
Light up your entryways. Thieves hate being seen, so bright lights can spook them. Motion lights or timers can keep the outside bright all night.
Talk to your neighbors so they know you’re not around. Share your trip plans and how to contact you if needed. Ask them to tell the cops about anything strange.
If your trip is long, think about a house sitter or extra police checks. This can provide more protection for your home while you’re gone.
Securing your home while you’re away is vital for peace of mind. These steps can help your house look occupied and lower the chance of theft.
| Home Security While You’re Away Tips: |
|---|
| Use timers to switch lights and electronics on and off |
| Stop mail and newspaper delivery or ask a neighbor to collect them |
| Avoid leaving notes on the door |
| Keep entrances well-lit |
| Communicate with your neighbors and ask them to report suspicious activity |
| Consider using a house sitter or notifying the local police |
Conclusion
By taking basic home security steps, you make your home safer for your family. Things like locking doors and windows are important. Adding outdoor lights, hiding valuables, and making it look like someone’s home can lower the chance of a break-in.
This not only helps you feel safe but saves money too. Houses with security systems sell for more. For instance, a $300,000 home could get $10,500 more in value. Also, insurance costs can go lower, saving you a lot over time.
Think about what you need and what you can spend. There are many options to protect your home. You can pick a security system, better lights, or a safe. These steps help keep your family and home safe. For tips on how a security system can raise your home’s value, check out this article.
