Did you know that the United States is at the top of the list when it comes to home burglaries? In 2012, there were an estimated 2,103,787 burglaries and 354,520 robberies. Broken down into more digestible figures, that’s 1 burglary every 15 seconds and 1 robbery every 1.5 minutes. Scary, isn’t it?
What could be even worse is that you may feel that your neighborhood is safe from hardened criminals, so you’re not all that worried about a home invasion. However, according to criminal lawyer Samantha Greene, people who break in aren’t always hard-core criminals. They may just be people who find an opportunity at the right time.
So, to be on the safe side, it’s best to crime-proof your home. After all, better safe than sorry.
Tips to Crime-Proof Your Home
Lock doors and windows.
This may seem to be a no brainer – in fact, it is. However, some people who feel safe in their neighborhood tend to leave their doors and windows unlocked, especially when they’re at home. But, whether you’re home or out for some shopping, you should always lock your windows and doors.
More than that, you ought to get secure locks such as deadbolts and double bolts for the doors. These are more secure, and prove to be a deterrent to burglars.
For your windows, you also need to pay particular attention to the locks and latches so that they cannot be opened from the outside. Additionally, you may want to pay a little more for material for windows that are easily accessible. Shatter-proof glass can be a little expensive, but if you only use it for windows that present the most danger, it should be fine.
Get an alarm.
Another obvious way to crime-proof your home, getting an alarm is something that you will want to invest in. Home alarm systems come in all shapes, sizes, and prices, so you will easily find something that fits your needs and budgets. The best way to go about it is find a knowledgeable home security provider and consult them.
Some other tips:
- Simple can do the trick: an alarm that makes a loud sound can deter burglars.
- Consider motion sensors in dark areas. Set it up so that a light turns on.
Keep your hedges to a reasonable height.
Your hedges and shrubs may be your pride, and they do provide you with privacy, but they can also help burglars do their “job” more easily. This is especially applicable when no one’s home, as high hedges will give the burglars privacy, with the neighbors totally unaware of what’s happening.
Use automatic timers if you’re going away.
For those weekend trips, or long vacations, it’s best to give your house a lived-in look. That is, make it look like there is someone at home. Remember Home Alone? There are some nuggets to pick up from the movie.
Purchase sockets with timers that will automatically turn electrical appliances on and off, such as lights, the television, radio, and so on. These sockets are not that expensive, and they will totally give you your money’s worth.
Crime-proofing your home need not be a difficult task, and if you think about it, what you do is going to save you a lot of money – and stress – in the long run.
