As the weather gets warmer, home break-ins tend to increase, even in the nicest neighbors or gated communities. This doesn’t mean you and your family have to live in fear, though. There are a number of steps you can take to secure you home against potential intruders.
Adopt a Dog
Have you been toying around with the idea of adopting a pooch from the local rescue shelter or pound? Canines of all sizes have an instinct to protect “their” territory. Even a small breed can scare a burglar into running away, or at least alert you that a problem is happening.
Invest in an Alarm System
Many alarm systems can be surprisingly affordable, and while they can’t stop someone from trying to break in to your house, they can make it extremely difficult. Since most thieves want to take the easiest route, they’re likely to avoid a house that’s alarmed.
Light Up the Night
Purchase lights that are equipped with motion detectors. Whenever someone walks into your yard after the sun has gone down, they’ll instantly turn on. No bandit wants to be put in the spotlight.
Lock Your Doors and Windows
You may have grown up in a neighborhood where no one locked their doors, even when they went away for the day. As ideal as this sounds, in many neighborhoods, this can be a bad idea. Get into the habit of locking every entranceway into your home, including your windows, each time you leave the house for any length of time.
Hide Valuables From Sight
Sometimes, we don’t even realize we’re putting valuables on display. However, if you are a woman who regularly puts her purse down on a table next to an easily-accessible window, you may be tempting a burglar. Though you can’t hide everything that’s worth money, you can be discerning as to what is in plain sight.
Upgrade Your Older Model Windows
Some older model windows are relatively easy for a pro to break into because they simply don’t have advanced locking mechanisms. If you upgrade to newer windows, you can rest easy knowing they won’t be easy to jimmy open.
By taking just a few preventive measures, you can make sure your home won’t become a target for robbers when the weather gets warm.
Photo: break.things
