Your home is meant to be your sanctuary. It is the place where you can escape, be yourself, relax, feel comfortable, and most of all, feel safe. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for everyone, as the unthinkable can happen and you can find yourself the victim of a home invasion. This is exactly why it’s so important to take the steps to make your home burglar-proof, giving you that added peace of mind. Let’s take a look at some of the steps you can take that will increase safety in your home and help to deter a would-be burglar.
Install a Home Alarm System
The most basic and often the most effective thing you can do to deter burglars is to install a home alarm system. There are tons of different systems available, but the main question is whether you want a monitored or non-monitored system. Monitored systems will carry a fee for the monitoring costs, but this means that, should there be an emergency, the alarm center will be notified immediately and can send the proper assistance.
It’s a good idea to do your research, check out different types of systems, the costs, the various plans and read customer reviews. Hardware will be needed and while some are easy to install yourself, other systems will require a professional to come out and do the installation.
Install Ample Outdoor Lighting
Now is a great time to invest in outdoor lighting, as burglars love to find dark pockets and shadows to hide in. Making sure the perimeter of your home is well-lit will act as a huge deterrent. You can install traditional lights or motion-detector-style lighting. Make sure to install lights at all entrance points including the front and back door, garage door and near ground floor windows.
Cut Back Overgrown Trees and Bushes Close to the House
Another way to make it difficult for burglars to hide in the shadows is to cut back overgrown trees and bushes that are near the house. If limbs are overhanging the house, it’s wise to cut them back too.
Ensure All Locks Are in Good Condition
Locks on doors and at least on ground-level windows are extremely important but they need to be in good condition. If any are broken, stuck or don’t work properly, now is the time to replace them. You may also wish to upgrade the lock on your front/back door to something more secure that includes a deadbolt.
Always Make It Appear as if Someone Is Home
An empty house is often an attractive target for burglars, so a simple tip is to make it look like someone is home at all times. This means leaving on a couple of lights indoors. However, you don’t want to leave the same ones on each time. Leave different ones on, and make it appear natural. If you have a smart home you can even control your lights remotely and turn them on/off in various rooms.
Do You Have Ammunition for Your Firearm?
If you have a firearm in the house, then you also need to be sure you have ammunition. Having a firearm with an empty barrel certainly isn’t going to help much in an emergency. You can look into bulk ammo for sale, which is popular with law enforcement. Buying in bulk means you’ll be well-stocked for quite some time, and it can even be more cost-effective.
When it comes to burglar-proofing your home, it’s all about the layered approach. It’s best to use multiple tips rather than rely on just one.
