Concerned about Burglary? 4 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Security

Did you know that 66 percent of burglaries are home break-ins? At this alarming rate, it’s no surprise that homeowners want to do everything they can to protect their home and belongings. There’s also the big concern that the break-in will occur while you and your family are home. If you are worried that a burglary may happen to you, here are four steps you can take to make your home more secure.

Don’t Leave Clues that You Aren’t Home

One of the most important things to do if you are going to be out of town for a while is to make it look like someone is home. Don’t let mail pile up; either have a friend collect it or contact the U.S. Postal Service to have it stopped while you are gone. Leave a few lamps on and tell a few trusted neighbors that you are leaving and ask if they will keep an eye on things. If you are going to be gone for a long time, you may want to have someone mow your grass. Anything you can do to make it look like you are home will reduce the risk of a burglar targeting your house.

Don’t Give Them a Place to Hide

Overgrowth around entry points, hedges, and privacy fences give the burglar a sense of security when they are trying to sneak in. Seeing these things around your home will entice the burglar to target your home and start planning the break-in. Trim all hedges and remove high fences so that your neighbors and police passing by will be able to spot someone trying to get in. Homes with less privacy won’t be optimal targets. It may seem counterintuitive, but it works.

Don’t Let Them See What You’ve Got

On the same token, privacy for the inside of your home can never be excessive. Close your blinds and curtains at night, don’t leave jewelry and cash laying around, and if you order something of value, don’t leave the evidence of the packaging on the curb for the world to see. Burglars will target your home if they sneak a peek through an open window or notice the box for your brand-new TV in the garbage.

Have Gates Installed

Automatic gates are a great protection mechanism for your home, as they won’t open if the lock has been broken or tampered with. Remember, burglars target homes that are secluded and easily accessible; they will likely be put off by a complicated, unconcealed gate. An automatic gate allows you to grant access to anyone you wish while keeping out the bad guys.

To be sure, a home break-in is a frightening possibility. But there are definitely precautions you can take to prevent such an event from occurring at your residence. Follow the tips above to keep your home and your family secure.

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