Homes without security systems are at a much higher risk for break-ins, vandalism, and robbery. Most break-ins actually occur in the daytime during the work week, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when many homes are vacant. That’s why we encourage you to adopt several of the following measures when it comes to protecting your home 24/7.
- Store valuables inside a safe. It’s difficult to make your home completely impervious to a break-in, and that’s why we recommend protecting the important things inside your home on top of securing your home itself. A safe is the best place to keep your most valuable possessions and other things that can’t be replaced, like heirloom jewelry and cash. Thieves will steal guns, other weapons, and items that are easy to sell for cash, so these should be protected inside a bolted-down safe as well. Choosing a fireproof safe means your valuables are fully protected.
- Keep jewelry, cash, and valuables out of the bedroom. This is the first place thieves look for your most prized possessions. If you want to keep valued possessions nearby and accessible, store them in a safe that’s bolted down inside a hallway closet or behind a piece of artwork. A safe that’s bolted down and well-hidden inside a master bedroom can be used just like a jewelry box. Keep more than one safe in your home so you can lock up valuables in different locations for convenience and security.
- Install an alarm system. An alarm system may be part of a larger security system, but an alarm on its own is a lower-level investment that can work equally well for keeping intruders from entering your home. You can even choose a smart alarm that can be controlled remotely using a smart phone application. The bottom line is that when thieves hear your house alarm sound, they’ll be gone even faster than they arrived.
- Install exterior motion-sensor lights. Much like an alarm, exterior motion-sensor lights will scare a thief straight away when they unexpectedly reveal his presence. Choose high-wattage flood lights and install motion sensor light fixtures at each entrance and along pathways. The lights will make your property safer and will help save electricity too.
- Keep entries clear and well-lit. Reconsider the placement of large potted plants, benches, and other large front-entry décor that give thieves a place to hide. Keep pathways, entries, and vestibules well-lit to shed light on thieves and make the home look occupied. Don’t allow clutter to build up on a front porch, stoop, or other entry area.
- Post a Beware of Dog sign. This tactic works well for keeping thieves away during the daytime when there’s no one around. Post signs on an exterior fence or gate if you have one, as well as at entries.
- For that matter, get a watch dog. Take things one step further and adopt a rescue dog that will help protect your home. Consider a larger breed with a deep bark. Thieves are much less likely to enter a home or yard with a large dog inside. Of course, training a watch dog is nothing to mess around with, so be sure you take proper safety precautions and know all that goes in to caring for a dog.
- Trim shrubs and prune trees. Limit the places where thieves can hide by keeping shrubs trimmed back at least two feet from the home’s exterior. Keep trees at bay and branches away from the house with an annual pruning in fall, which will also protect your home from debris during windstorms.
- Reconsider your fence. A privacy fence makes a home look protected, but on the inside it can help a thief stay hidden from view too. A slotted or chain-link fence provides a clear view in and out of the yard, and while it decreases privacy, it also increases sunlight and safety.
- Start and advertise a neighborhood watch on your block or street. A neighborhood watch is one of the best ways to create a safe and secure home, street, and neighborhood. Be friendly with your neighbors. Get to know your neighbors better and discuss your different schedules. Keep an eye out for neighbors that are away from their homes when you’re around, and they’ll do the same for you. Let your neighbors know when you’re going out of town. Report suspicious activity. Hang Neighborhood Watch signs to let thieves know they’re not welcome.