You don’t need to build a moat around your home or install the most expensive security system to keep someone from breaking in. There are budget friendly and practical things you can do to improve your home security. Let’s explore some of the things you can do to deter burglars.
Install Smart Security Lighting
Lighting can be your first line of defense. There are many outdoor and indoor smart lighting solutions to ward off intruders.
Exterior lights with built in motion sensors are fairly easy to install, so they don’t require professional installation. Many of these lights are available with battery power packs. They should be placed at all entryways, including garage doors. You can also place them within your landscaping for the element of surprise.
Lighting that is operated by a photocell will turn on automatically when the sun goes down and will turn off at dawn. These are great for when you are out of town. Likewise, indoor lights can be placed on timers to give the impression that you are home and awake.
Invest in a Video Doorbell
A video doorbell is one that has a camera built into it. It allows you to see who is at the door on your smartphone or other mobile device. The more advanced models also have an audio feature so that you can communicate with the person at the door without opening it.
Notify Your Mail and Paper Delivery Services
There is nothing that lets a burglar know you are away more than a pile of unopened newspapers in your driveway. Another sign is an overflowing mailbox. If you are leaving the house unoccupied for a long period of time, ask your postal service to hold onto your mail until the day after you return. Also have your paper delivery service stop delivering papers temporarily.
Install Secure Locks
Mortise locks and deadbolts are the best for exterior doors. When locked, the bolts project into the vertical door jamb and can’t be easily manipulated with a tool or credit card. A key or a numbered keypad is required for opening these locks.
Make sure all of your windows have locks. And if the garage is attached to your home it should have a secure lock as well.
Invest in an Alarm
A monitored security system is a good investment. However, it might not be an expense you can afford. If that is the case, you can install an alarm that is triggered by a door or window lock being compromised. It is similar to a car alarm that sounds when the window is smashed or the door lock is broken.
If you are on a strict budget, purchase a barking dog alarm. These are speakers with the sound of a large dog barking. They operate on motion sensors that pick up the movements or body heat of a person approaching the house.
Hide Valuables
A safe is a good option for locking away valuables such as money, jewelry, and personal information. If at all possible, hide keys, purses, smartphones, computers, and televisions. While it might not be practical to hide a desktop or a large TV, installing blinds or curtains can conceal these from view.
Reinforce Your Entrance with a Wrought Iron Door
You have likely seen windows with wrought iron gates, especially in urban environments and at ground level units. There are also wrought iron doors that are hard to get through. A thief would need to spend a lot of time to cut the bars.
Another reason to have iron doors is so that you can answer your door without having to worry about someone forcing their way into your home.
Notify Neighbors and the Police
If you are traveling, it is a good idea to let responsible neighbors know you will be away so they can keep an eye on your home. Local police can help by periodically driving by your home to see if anything looks suspicious.
Don’t Blast your Vacation Plans on Social Media
Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are great places to alert your friends about your upcoming travel plans. However, these are also platforms that thieves use to find out that your home will be vacant. So be careful how much information you post and never put your address or phone number on these sites.
Lock Away Tools and Ladders
Don’t give intruders easy access to your home by leaving ladders, gardening tools, and metal bars in plain sight. Lock these in your garage, shed, or far from the house perimeter. Don’t place wood piles or outdoor furnishings right up against the house for someone to climb up on for access to a window or roof.
