Few things make you feel as unsettled and violated as coming home to a house that’s been torn apart by a burglar. Yet many homeowners unwittingly make it all too easy for a would-be robber to enter. In fact, it is estimated that roughly 30 percent of all home burglaries can be traced back to an open window or unlocked door.
But now, and with a few simple precautionary measures, you can make your house less of a target while better protecting your family and personal belongings.
Don’t leave ladders in unlocked sheds or propped up against your home. Doing so can give a burglar a boost to an open second story window.
If you’ve decided to have a security system installed, be sure to secure the entire home, not just the first story.
Consider replacing old, wood-panel exterior doors with steel-wrapped doors, and make sure all exterior doors are equipped with deadbolts.
Trim plants and bushes from entry points, including windows, to ensure they are visible from the street.
Add motion-sensing lights near the garage, walkway, and exterior doors.
A mirror can be a lovely accent to a room; just be sure it doesn’t help make your security system keypad visible should someone peer through a window. The idea is to make them think the system is armed.
Store valuables in a wall safe over a portable safe that can be simply carried away. Better yet, rent a secure lockbox at your neighborhood bank.
Avoid telling the whole world your travel plans. Have a friend, family member, or neighbor check on your house periodically, take in the mail, and keep up with lawn mowing or snow removal. Also, avoid posting on social media; save the pics for when you return home.
All good ideas, of course. But experienced burglars often can still find a way indoors. That’s where we come in – Now Security Systems. We install state-of-the-art home security alarm systems and offer in-house, proprietary monitoring – nothing we do is outsourced to a third party. Contact us today for a free in-home security analysis and new-system proposal.
