Having your house broken into or the thought of living through a home invasion are prevalent fears throughout most of the population, and they should be. Although burglaries in the US are on a steady decline, it is estimated that a house is broken into every 23 seconds. The tips and tricks we've gathered will hopefully provide you with the knowledge and materials needed to keep your home and family safe.
Be the burglar
"Be the burglar" means that you should view your home as if you were trying to get into it. By surveying the exterior of your home, you will be able to assess the weakest access and entry points of your home. From here, you will be able to make the necessary changes or repairs to reinforce the safety measures you already have in place.
While you're at it, why not take stock of the contents inside of your home as well. Using a home and contents insurance calculator will provide you with the estimated value of your belongings. This is essential as it ensures you are one step ahead with your insurance and finances, should a burglary occur.
Keep up with landscaping
You may consider the shoulder-height shrubbery and mighty oak tree growing in your front yard as adequate privacy measures, but they may serve as an invitation for a burglar. Overgrown shrubbery can serve as the perfect place to hide in waiting, and the trees reaching up to the second-story windows may be the ideal entry point.
Keep your yard tidy
One of the easiest ways for burglars to track your activity is to monitor the outside of your home. Of course, they will keep an eye on the routine of the family coming in and out of the house, what time cars are usually back in the driveway, and what time the lights go out inside, but they are also tracking the smaller details, as well. Perhaps you keep your cars safely in the garage where they might not be as easy to monitor, but your newspapers and mail will still be out in the open. Be sure to pick them up as often as possible. An active home is not practical for burglars.
If you are planning to be away from your home for a few days, ask a trusted neighbor to gather your deliveries until you return.
Don't advertise your vacation
As tempting as it may be to share the excitement of your upcoming vacation with your Facebook friends, consider the possibility of that information falling into the wrong hands. Posting a countdown to the day of your departure or sharing photos while on your trip will let everyone know when and possibly how long your home will be empty.
Before you leave, consider investing in some extra safety measures to deter anyone from entering your home. TV simulators will project colored lights, similar to what is seen by someone passing by your home at night. If you just want to use something you already own, leave your radio running on a talk-radio station, leaving your home sounding lively and occupied.
Lock your doors
One of the most straightforward and essential things you can practice everyday to protect yourself and your home is to keep your windows and doors locked. If you want to take it a step further, you can do some research on a website, like golookup, where you can see view background checks, addresses, and more on the people around you. This can provide you with the peace of mind that you have done everything you can to keep your family self.
