Buying a home in a great neighborhood surrounded by great neighbors should give you a certain peace of mind. But the harsh reality of today’s society is that no one is immune to crime. Even the best areas of your town will experience break-ins on occasion. And while you shouldn’t live your life in fear, neither should you disregard the chance that your home could be hit.
The good news on burglaries is that by taking a few common sense steps, being a bit more cautious, and implementing some simple preventative measures, you can dramatically cut down the chances that your house will be burglarized.
To start with, give your house a good casing. That is, take a good look around both the inside and outside of your home, looking for any obviously weak points that would make it easy for an intruder to enter.
One thing to look for is your landscaping. Overgrown trees and bushes, especially when right against a house, make for great hiding places. A stout plant might even give a burglar a boost into an upstairs window. Keeping your plants well pruned and including a few with thorns is an easy way to get home security started.
Lighting is another big issue. You want to make sure your house has a lived-in look without illuminating the whole neighborhood. Look for exterior lighting at a few strategic locations around the house, including along a path to your front door, above your front door, at the sides and rear of the house, by any other doors, and by the garage. Lights near other unattached structures such as a tool shed could be useful as well. A good gauge for sufficient lighting is being able to read your watch by that light on every side of your house. Remember, a little light goes a long way in reducing your risk.
Addressing your doors and windows should come next. Simply keeping them locked is the best deterrent of all. If your house is not a brand-new one, consider changing the locks. And don’t leave keys under the mat. If you hide a spare key, be a bit less obvious than that. Be careful to secure any sliding glass doors while you’re at it. It’s a favorite of means of entry for many thieves.
Finally, think about installing a security alarm system. Prices are getting more and more affordable as the technology gets more and more reliable.
By taking these steps and implementing your own common sense approach to home security, you can go a long way toward keeping your home, your
possessions, and your family safe.
