9 simple ways to protect your home from burglars
You might not have a criminal mind, but think how a crook finds the perfect houses to target. An empty home in a neighborhood where people keep to themselves, no cameras or alarms, and dark or dimly lit structures, right?
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A home security system can go a long way toward making your house unattractive to thieves, but there are more steps you can take to deter burglars. Here are nine tips you can implement right away.
1. Know your neighbors
Your house (and neighbors’ homes) will be less attractive to burglars if the people on your street spend time on their porches, working in their yards or socializing outdoors. Neighbors who know each other look out for each other.
Make friends with the people on your street. If you trust them, you can ask them to help keep an eye on your house when you’re on vacation.
You can check if there’s a Neighborhood Watch program for your area. And if there isn’t, maybe you should be the one to start it. Tap or click here for the 10 questions you should ask if you want a home security system.
2. Install video cameras
A study by the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation found more than 60% of burglars would consider the presence of cameras or surveillance equipment when choosing a target. This is where a home security system comes in.
Our sponsor, SimpliSafe, offers the SimpliCam with HD video and intruder and motion alerts. Options for home security systems used to be very limited. You could deal with a local company with a complex and expensive system and pay a high price for monitoring services.
But now, there are easier and more affordable options — like with our sponsor, SimpliSafe, which is intelligent, effective and doesn’t tie you into an inconvenient contract.
3. Close your doors and windows
The AIREF study also found most burglars either enter homes through unlocked doors or windows or force doors and windows open. Make sure you close and lock your doors and windows, even if you’re leaving for work or going out on errands.
Tap or click here to see how a smart lock can work with your security system.
4. Reinforce your doors
A well-placed kick or crowbar can give a thief entrance into your home if your doors aren’t sturdy enough to handle them. Check the length of the screws holding your door’s strike plate and replace them with longer ones if needed.
You can also pick up a reinforcement kit to strengthen your door’s jamb and lock area with metal plates. A solid security screen door can give you an added layer of protection.
5. Adopt a dog
Some thieves are wary of dogs and avoid homes where a barking animal is present. If you’re a dog lover, this is one bonus reason to share your home with a beloved pooch.
With SimpliSafe, there’s no need to worry the system will go off every time your dog walks through a room. The sensors are specially designed and precision-engineered to detect the unique heat signatures of humans and ignore those of pets.
So when you leave your home, you’ll be at ease, knowing you have an effective system that will protect your things and your pet if anyone breaks in.
6. Be wary during the day
While we usually think of burglars as sneaking around at night, break-ins often happen during daylight hours when the victim is gone at work or school. Be aware of this and keep your house buttoned up when you leave.
A sound home security system can alert you to suspicious activity in and around your house when you’re gone. Tap or click here to learn how SimpliSafe can help protect your home 24/7.
7. Set up exterior lighting
There are many ways to keep the outside of your home from becoming shadowy where thieves can hide. Solar lights are easy to install and can come on automatically when it gets dark. Install motion-triggered lights around the exterior of your home or look into motion-activated solar lights for places where it’s not practical to wire a light.
Don’t forget your driveway. A motion-activated light aimed at your car can encourage potential vehicle burglars to move along.
8. Use timers
Lights, stereos and televisions can all be placed on timers and set to turn on at various times when you’re not home. This can be especially helpful when you’re gone on vacation and want to make it appear someone is at the house. Smart home technology allows you to control your timers from afar.
9. Take care of your mail
You don’t want mail to pile up at your home when you’re gone, so arrange for a neighbor or house-sitter to pick it up. You can also ask USPS to hold your mail while you’re away.
Make arrangements to delay any regular package deliveries you might have scheduled. If a package arrives while you’re gone, have a neighbor or friend pick it up, so it doesn’t sit outside your house.
If you’re ready to upgrade your home security, order your SimpliSafe Home Security System today! Tap or click here for a 60-day money-back guarantee, free shipping and free returns.
Tags: burglars, dog, dogs, home security, neighborhood watch, security, SimpliSafe, Smart Lock, timers, upgrade, video cameras
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