As of 2006, the FBI estimates there are 1.5 million homes broken into every year. Having your home broken into cannot only be costly, but it causes an undue amount of stress and fear on the family. Most home break-ins are isolated cases, but that doesn’t diminish the anxiety caused by an intrusion. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to ward off potential burglars and allow your family to rest more easily at night.
Don’t Show Off
You don’t intentionally advertise your expensive purchases, but leaving boxes for your new flat screen TV or computer next to your trashcan invites thieves to break into your home. Most thieves only want houses where they’ll hit the jackpot, so be aware of what’s visible from the outside of the house, too. Try to position your expensive goods out of sight from open windows and keep your curtains closed when you’re not home.
Keep Your Yard Well-Groomed
Tall shrubs and bushes around windows and doors allow potential crooks to hide. Landscaping your yard with theft prevention in mind is called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and centers around the premise of thwarting thieves with your landscaping. Avoid overgrown bushes next to potential entry points, and plant thorny shrubs around windows to deter breaking in via windows.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Communities that are tighter knit often report a smaller amount of break-ins than neighborhoods who don’t communicate. Closer communities often notice strangers more quickly and are more likely to call the police more quickly.
Keep Your Business Off Social Media
Avoid announcing travel plans on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media platforms. While it’s tempting to tell your closest 300 friends that you’re jetting off to the Caribbean for the next three weeks, you don’t know that someone with bad intentions won’t see it and know your home is at their mercy for the next 21 days.
Lock Your Doors
Simple, right? You probably didn’t know, though, that most break-ins take place without the use of force. Either your door is unlocked or your windows are. Don’t forget the door leading into your garage; even if your garage door is down, it’s quite easy for a burglar to open your garage door.
Install a Home Security System
Even if you take all the proper precautions, you can still fall prey to burglars. An alarm system sign is usually enough to turn intruders away, but nothing will make someone flee more quickly than an alarm sounding. If you want to shell out the cash, you can accompany your alarm system with a video surveillance, so if there is a break in, you have a better chance of catching the suspect (Source: Arpel Security Systems).
Your home is your refuge and your safe place. Keep it sacred by deterring would-be intruders and safeguard your family’s peace of mind with a few simple steps.
