How to Deter Burglars
While owning a home security system automatically decreases your chances of being burglarized, there are many common mistakes and oversights that can compromise its reliability. Here are the most important safety precautions you can take in conjunction with your security system to ensure your home is safe from thieves.
Create the Illusion that Someone is Home
If you plan to be away for an extended period, leave a light or TV on in a room near the front door or other entry points like side doors or first-floor windows. For more extended stays, consider using timers or home automation to control when your lights come on. Use exterior lighting and motion lights to minimize places where a burglar could easily hide, as well.
Using smart home technology and tools like Alarm.com, you can easily create a schedule that turns on lights at peak hours to deter potential burglars.
Make Sure All Exterior Doors have Secure Locks
Install 1-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors and lock all doors before leaving your home or going to bed. Reinforce the lock further by swapping out the ½” screws provided with the deadbolt strike plate for 2½ – 3” screws.
Double Check Before Answering the Door
Always check to see who is at the door before opening it. Video doorbells are an excellent addition to your home as they are motion-activated and allow you to record the footage and the video feed from your smartphone.
Hide the Spare Keys
Spare keys always seem like a great idea, but the doormat and the fake rock next to the front door are easy marks for a burglar. You can find a far more obscure place much further away from the door or give an extra key to someone you trust, like a neighbor.
Using keypads and smart locks, you can create unique codes to give other people access to your home for limited amounts of time. This means that a pet-sitter or dog-walker could be provided access to your house when needed, but you can change the code so that they cannot go into your home at other times.
Secure Your Sliding Glass Doors
Growing up, we always used a 3/4” dowel rod in the door; it wasn’t until I got older that I realized it wasn’t stopping anyone. Instead, use a spring-loaded metal bar in the middle of the door.
Keep the Garage Doors Closed
Your garage door is an entrance into your home, just like any other. It’s important to keep it closed even when you’re at home. You can provide an added protection to your home by installing an overhead garage door contact, which is a magnetic switch that connects your garage door to your security system.
Hide Cash and Expensive Items Somewhere Unpredictable
Keep cash and high dollar items in a secure place such as a safe. A locked box will do you no good if a burglar can carry it away, so if you use one, keep it hidden away somewhere inaccessible. When thieves enter a home, they are already thinking about the typical hiding spots, so get creative and find somewhere random and unexpected. Avoid the master bedroom or your child’s bedroom as kids nowadays are likely to have expensive gadgets and tech that are prime targets for burglars.
Put Away Your Ladders and Trash Cans
If you have trash cans or ladders, keep them inside or locked to a fence or a pole. If an intruder can use it to make their entrance easier, keep it out of sight.
Make Sure Your Home is Secure
Homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized. If you don’t yet have a security system and are considering installing one, give our friendly team of security experts a call at 888-412-5356, and one of our specialists will help you figure out what would be necessary for your needs.
Explore Our Other Blogs
Which Businesses are Burglarized Most?
The idea of business theft and burglary is not a pleasant one; however, the likelihood of your business being burglarized is rather high. In fact, approximately 37% of small business owners were impacted by burglary or theft over the past year. Retail businesses in particular are highly targeted as thieves are seeking the opportunity to either use or resell stolen items. Everything from simple shoplifting to employee theft can contribute to overall business…
Testing Fire Alarm Call Points
Most large commercial-grade fire alarms today are addressable systems. Unlike conventional systems that use fire alarm zones, addressable fire alarm systems assign a unique “call point” to every device. Each one sends a digital signal to the main panel, creating a two-way line of communication that shows activations and status updates. An addressable panel can then identify…
What Does a Commercial Fire System Include?
Fire safety is critical for all businesses, but the components within commercial fire systems vary significantly between industries and functions. Fires can stem from common causes that affect any commercial property and sources unique to specific fields, so fire systems must address every threat using detection, prevention, protection, and suppression. With many options available for…
What are the Components of a Security System?
Security systems can vary widely in size and scale: from simple home alarms and small business surveillance systems to commercial-grade intrusion and detection systems. One system could even be comprised of enterprise-level networks that stretch across multiple locations. Understanding the essential components of a security system is the best way to start your search for…
What are BDA Systems?
As technology continues to evolve and building codes grow more stringent, bi-directional amplifier (BDA) systems are no longer just a luxury—they’re a critical component in ensuring your building’s safety and compliance. Whether you’re a property owner, facilities manager, or contractor, understanding BDA systems is essential, and choosing the right partner for installation makes all the difference….
Cost of Home Security Systems
Getting a security system for your home is a wise investment. While the obvious benefit is protection for your family, home, and belongings, it’s hard to put a price on the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you and your family will have professional help in case of an emergency. Still, you must…
What to Do if Someone Breaks into Your House
Arriving home to find that your home has been burglarized is one of the worst feelings someone can have. You’re left feeling raw, vulnerable, and angry. In this time of high stress, it may be hard to put your thoughts together to remember everything that now needs to be done. We have put together a list…
Smart Homes: How Automation Helps
Home automation solutions are no longer the ideas of science fiction. These intelligent home systems can save you hundreds of dollars through energy conservation, and they can provide state-of-the-art security to protect your home and the loved ones inside of it. What is A Smart Home? A smart home is equipped with lighting, heating, and…
What Is Alarm.com?
How Does Alarm.com Work? Alarm.com is a cloud-based service that allows customers to manage their security alarms and home automation systems remotely. Alarm.com does not manufacture security components, like alarm panels and cameras. Instead, its cutting-edge software is integrated into hardware systems provided by highly regarded manufacturers. What sets Alarm.com apart? Alarm.com Products Alarm.com’s partnership…
Can I Install Monitored Security in My Apartment?
The most recent FBI data estimates that there are over 1.2 million burglaries a year, resulting in around $3.4 billion in property loss. Although property crime as a whole has been on the decline, the rise in popularity of video doorbells and more comprehensive and integrated home security systems shows that Americans are no less…