Your home is your safe zone. Home offers a sense of security to the family. A home burglary or theft can instantly shatter that sense of security. Here are some steps you can take now to prevent home burglary and theft. These are simple, common sense actions that can help prevent theft of your property. Be sure to implement these 10 ways for how to protect your home from intruders and improve your home security.
Protect Your Home From Intruders With These 10 Steps to a More Secure Home
Protecting your home from intruders involves a combination of deterrents, security measures, and vigilance. Here are several steps you can take to enhance your home’s security:
Lock Doors And Windows
It sounds simple, but is often overlooked. Make it a habit to always lock your doors behind you upon entering. Just one window left unlocked or partially opened is an invitation into your home. Many newer windows come with more secure wedge locks that allow windows to be left open a crack for ventilation but prevent them from being pushed open by an intruder.
Use Light Timers
If you plan to be gone overnight, have two or more timers in different rooms programmed. Program the timers to come on at different times. Whether you use smart lights or basic light timers they send a signal that the home is not unattended.
Close Blinds
Close the blinds and curtains to the windows. This way a “peeping tom” cannot check for movement in the interior of the home.
Cover Garage Door Window
Cover the garage door windows. An empty garage is a definite give away that no one is at home. You may want to use a foggy clear contact paper for this so that you can remove it easily. You may want to leave it up though because it allows light to come in without allowing intruders to see what is inside when you are home.
Keep Vacation Plans Private
Do not announce at the next community event that you plan to be gone from your home on vacation. You trust family and friends, but anyone can be listening to that public conversation. Keep your vacation photos off social media until you return home.
Use Door Alarms
Invest in inexpensive door alarms. The alarms can be easily installed. When a door or window is opened, the connection is broken between the two sections of the unit, causing a loud siren to pierce the air until the sections are realigned. Unless closely inspected, the intruder may think he has triggered a security system and will quickly retreat. I first saw alarms like this at the 2018 HGTV Smart Home.
Secure ALL Entrances
Some homes have an attic pull down door in an open carport. Place a lock on the attic door and foundation crawl space doors. A clever intruder could gain entrance to the home through these doors.
Use Motion Lights
Motion lights installed at strategic points around the home exterior and interior may deter a nighttime prowler.
Remove Easy Temptation
Out of sight is out of mind. Keep all yard equipment, tools, gasoline jugs, etc. put away in a locked shed. Keep car doors locked.
Also, don’t make it easy for intruders to be hidden near your entrance. Make sure you keep all your trees and bushes trimmed so that a person could not hide in waiting to go in with you.
Install Security Cameras
You may also like to install security cameras at home entrances and around the home. Intruders are often camera shy and may avoid a home that has security cameras. I notice that this is very popular in my neighborhood and I have even seen videos posted on Nextdoor of Ring videos showing suspicious characters approaching a door.
Conclusion
One final tip that I suggest to prevent home invasion is, get a dog. However, dogs can be a lot of work! So only get a dog if you love dogs and you were considering getting a dog anyway. I heard an interview once with a police man and that was his top suggestion. The Guardian says, that burglars site a barking dog as the number 1 deterrent. I have a big German Shepherd myself and his bark could scare anyone away but sometimes his piles of fur scare me away (LOL)! Be vigilant about strangers or suspicious individuals loitering around your property. If you notice anything unusual, report it to local authorities.
Creating multiple layers of security, using technology, and being proactive in securing your home can significantly reduce the risk of intrusion. Remember, no system is foolproof, but a combination of these measures can make your home a less appealing target for intruders. I hope you found these tips for how to protect your home from intruders useful. You work hard to have a home and your personal possessions. With a few simple precautions, you can improve your home security and help keep your home and personal possessions secure.
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Kari says
Great tips! I never thought of covering the garage windows but it’s a good idea.