Do you know that one home is broken into by burglars every one hour in most big cities all over the world? Burglaries happen on a regular basis and result in millions worth of lost and damaged properties, and in some cases, injuries and loss of lives.
To prevent being a victim of this type of crime, it is important that you become familiar with different ways to protect your home, and also that you are aware of what to do in case you are burglarised so that you can recover your stolen items, or prevent a repeat episode.
This article can serve as a guide that will provide you with smart tips you can adopt to make your home secure and burglar proof.
Install a home security system
One of the most effective ways to protect your home from burglars is to install a home security system. This nifty device equips your home with a set of codes that triggers an alarm if entered incorrectly or when your home is accessed without using the code. Some of these alarm systems are also connected with the local police in your area, and will alert them in the event of a break-in.
Burglaries are unfortunately, not the only danger to your home and property. Fire poses serious risks to homes, what with the large amount of electrical and gas equipment in the house and fire outbreaks can be caused by anything from a faulty electrical installation to a gas leak. One of the advantages of installing a home security system is that most modern systems come with an in-built fire and smoke detector. So, installing a home security system will not just keep your house safe from the scourge of burglars, it is also one of the things you should do towards fire safety at home.
Install reliable locks on external doors and windows
A huge percentage of break-ins occur via easily accessible entry points, usually the front door or side window. This is why you should make sure that all external doors and windows in your house carry reliable locks.
In fact, if you move into a new house, one of the first things you should do is to change all the locks on the doors and windows. You never can tell who may have a spare key to your house, and changing all the locks is a good security investment.
It is a good idea to install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors. These are some of the strongest locks available and are not easily damaged. You should also check to make sure that you windows also carry strong locks that only open from the inside. This way, a burglar will not be able to gain entry into your house via a window.
Don’t use obvious hiding places for your spare key
If you don’t live alone, chances are you have a hiding place where you keep a spare key for other occupants of the house. The same thing applies if you are easily distracted and tend to lose your key often.
While it is not a bad idea to have a spare key within easy reach, using the most obvious locations will only put your house at risk. For example, potted plants, under the doormat, under a loose paving stone, and in the letter box are some of the first places a burglar will look when searching for a spare key.
You should therefore consider a place that is not too obvious or give a spare set of keys to a trustworthy neighbour, so that your key does not fall into the wrong hands.
Keep drapes and blinds shut
Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity. For example, a burglar happens to catch a glimpse of cash through an open window, drape or curtain, and then turns around to burglarise your house. This is a crime of opportunity because had the burglar not seen you count huge sums of money, he or she will not pick your house as a target.
To avoid crimes of opportunity, don’t make it easy for intruders to see inside your home, especially the parts of your house where you have expensive equipment, artwork, jewelleries, or cash. This means making sure windows, drapes, and blinds are properly shut.
You should also consider keeping such valuables in a safer location, such as in a bank or a safe deposit box. When there is nothing worth stealing in your house, there will be nothing to attract burglars your way.
When you travel
If you plan to be out of the house for an extended period, such as when you are going on holiday, make sure that every access point into your house is properly locked. You should also avoid announcing your travel plans on social media, so that burglars, who trawl the net looking for information, will not know you plan to be away from the house.