Property crime is a growing concern for homeowners in every city in the United States, and home invasions are becoming increasingly more common. Rather than assuming it will never happen to your home, it’s better to take a few proactive steps to protect your property and your family.
Start with State-of-the-Art Technology
Not having any video camera surveillance around your home is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. While a video camera won’t stop criminal activity, it will deter most criminals and quickly alert you to a problem.
A video recording of a break-in can also help you identify the culprit, making it easier to press criminal charges.
Make sure to have security equipment inspected and serviced once a year. Neglecting security system maintenance can leave your home exposed without your knowledge.
A security camera with a bad battery or a damaged sensor will fail to alert you to a criminal threat. Security companies will help you maintain your equipment in good operating condition.
Check the Exterior of Your Home
When someone intends to break into your home, they will look for security weaknesses. You can find these weaknesses and strengthen your security by looking at your property from the outside. Try to think like a criminal.
As you look at your home, does the garage provide easy access to a second-story window? Are there tall shrubs close to your house?
Look for other ways that your property’s features can make it easier for a criminal to hide or break into your home. Removing tall bushes and trellises can make it more difficult for a home invasion to occur.
Remove the Temptation for Theft
Criminals will also look for valuables as they watch your home, so it’s important to avoid leaving valuables in plain sight. Keep blinds closed after sunset since indoor lighting will make it easier for burglars to see into your home.
You should also break down large boxes. When you throw away boxes for a big screen T.V. or a new computer, this alerts potential burglars that you have something they might want.
Along similar lines, get your family members to adopt better security habits. For example, not locking doors when you come home can leave you exposed to a home invasion. Unsecured windows pose a similar threat. You and your family should make sure your home is secure, whether someone is home or not.
Keep Your Home Safer When You’re on Vacation
Letting mail or packages pile up when away can tell criminals that your house is vacant. Instead, let a trustworthy neighbor know you’ll be away from your home and ask them to collect your mail. They can also keep an eye on your home and report suspicious activity to the police.
While sharing the news of an upcoming vacation may be exciting, avoid talking about going away on social media. This can let complete strangers know that you’ll be leaving your home unattended. Many criminals watch social media sites to find out when people in their communities are traveling, leaving their homes unprotected.
Wait until you return from vacation and share pictures of your trip at that time.
When you spend a small percentage of your resources on home security, you can significantly reduce the risks of a home invasion or burglary. If you stay alert to security risks, you’ll be better able to protect your home. While property crime can still happen, these steps reduce the chance of it happening to you.
