A home burglary occurs every 15 seconds in the United States. Nearly half of these burglaries occur during the day each year and many of them happen in neighborhood’s. Despite these statistics, most homeowners take only minor precautions to protect their homes from intruders something you never want to regret after the fact. Additionally, there are so many home security tips you never thought of.
However, you have many easy actions you can do right now to make your home more secure. This article covers 13 simple home security tips. So that, you and your family can live in a more safe environment.
Key Points
- The most effective methods to home invasions are simple, obvious steps like locking doors and windows and installing a home security system.
- More than 75 percent of burglars use social media to find possible targets.
- To prevent unauthorized access to private information and connected home security devices, WIFI networks must always be password protected.
- Hide brand and product names from boxes left on the curb, secure garages and sheds, and use a safe to protect your most valuable possessions.
13 simple home security tips you should be aware of
1. Lock your doors and windows
Although it may appear obvious, one-third of all home burglars gain entry through unlocked doors and windows. We often feel secure in the neighbourhoods we know and love, but it’s wise to be on the safe side and lock any potential doors and windows leading into your home. Many burglars will go from house to house looking for easy targets, and this common-sense precaution can keep your home off their list.
2. Install a home security system
Homes with alarm systems are 300% less likely to experience a break-in than are homes without alarms. Even a window or lawn sign advertising your home security system will deter many would-be intruders. Some homeowners may be put off by the alarm system’s perceived high costs or technical upkeep. However, there are many affordable options available, and smartphone technology has made it simpler to manage your alarm system from anywhere.
3. Install motion sensor lighting
The jury is still out on whether lighting can actually deter burglars. After all, many burglaries occur during the day, when lighting isn’t even a consideration. Nonetheless, some research suggests that motion detectors deter burglars due to their sudden onset and the possibility of alerting neighbors to suspicious activity, particularly when those neighbors know you’re away and wouldn’t be triggering the lights themselves. We believe that motion detector lights are worth installing to add an extra layer of safety to your home’s exterior areas because they are simple to install and inexpensive (as low as $10 to $15).
4. Install a deadbolt protector
Most burglars will be able to pick your locks, even if they appear to be pick-proof. A deadbolt protector, which slides a lock over your deadbolt to prevent it from turning, is one way to add extra security to your main doors. Mostly, they are available at hardware stores and on Amazon.
5. Strengthen sliding doors
Patio and deck sliding doors are more vulnerable than your main front door. The locks are easier to pick, and even a hard pull can get through many of them. It’s best to beef up the security on your sliding doors. Many homeowners prefer a more sophisticated method, such as laying a bar, broomstick, or piece of plywood on the door track. In that case, you can buy locks according to the bottom or top of the door to increase security.
6. Purchase a home security camera
Nowadays, you can easily find a complete home security system that includes cameras, or you can buy them separately to enhance an existing system. Cameras can both deter burglars and help you get justice if your home is broken into. On social media, you have probably seen a lot of footage from home security cameras. They’re becoming more popular than ever as online shopping grows, putting people at risk of being victimized by “porch pirates” who steal packages right from your front door.
7. Keep spare keys in a lock box
Consider this: where would you look for someone’s spare key? Most likely under the mat, the mailbox, or a stone or flower pot near the door. These obvious hiding places for your front door keys essentially invite home burglars. Keep any keys you want to leave for someone in a lockbox so no one else can access them.
Many homeowners appreciate the added sense of security that home cameras can provide on a daily basis. Products such as the Ring and Google Nest Cam enable homeowners to check in on their homes while they are away and see a clear image of visitors who knock on the front door before opening it.
8. Avoid oversharing on social media
You might not even be aware of how you’re making your home more vulnerable to burglars by posting on social media. Posting photos of your home with the address plaque visible, sharing your address via online event invites or public comments, or disclosing the details of your upcoming extended vacation are all ways to increase your risk of a home invasion. In fact, 78% of burglars use Facebook and Twitter. Keep your address and contact information off of social media. Check the photos you post twice, never type your address in public places, and keep the details of your vacation private until you return home.
9. Secure garages and sheds
People frequently overlook garages and sheds because they do not actually live in them. However, most people keep valuable things in their garages and sheds, like cars, lawnmowers, furniture, and other items boxed up for storage. Think twice before assuming that your home is the only component of your property that could be broken into. Keep your belongings safe by keeping your garage and shed doors closed and securing them with additional locks as needed.
10. Use a password protected wifi network
Even inexperienced hackers can gain access to your wifi network and steal your personal information. They can use that data to monitor your home and even control wifi-enabled security devices such as cameras and alarm systems. Keeping your wifi network secure is an important aspect of home security. Use a strong wifi password that you do not share with anyone.
11. Do not advertise large purchases
The boxes and bags you put out on trash day can reveal a lot about what valuables are inside your home to potential burglars. To avoid this, break down boxes and fold them so that the brand and product names are not visible. Cover them with extra bags if necessary. Taking extra precautions can help prevent the heartbreak of losing your newly acquired assets to theft.
12. Make it look like someone is home
There are some simple ways for creating the illusion that someone is home when no one is actually there. One obvious tactic is to leave a light on inside, though this is so common that most burglars won’t think twice about turning on the living room light. Leaving a car in the driveway and using timed lighting indoors and outdoors are effective ways to make your home appear occupied. Additionally, having someone collect your mail and keeping a radio or TV on can further enhance the illusion of occupancy.
13. Put your valuables in a safe
No matter what we do, robbers will find their way to access our homes. We can’t protect everything we own, but it’s a good idea to store your most expensive stuff, like jewelry, money, important documents, and family heirlooms, in a locked safe. In this way, you may be satisfied that the things that are most important to you are always secure and safe.
Also Read: Reasons to hire private security company in Houston