Everyone would probably agree that burglar-proofing your home is a great idea because it can protect family members, all of the valuables inside, and even the home itself against damage or theft. But while everyone agrees it’s a great idea, not everyone can afford to implement some of the measures which provide the best protection against unwanted entry, for instance, an expensive home security system. The ideas discussed below are some which are affordable for almost every budget, and some combination of these safeguards can provide a collectively strong deterrent to home burglaries.
Put in an alarm system
While alarms certainly won’t prevent a determined criminal from getting in, they will certainly alert you to the fact that someone was trying to. It’s also a rare thief who will trigger a home alarm system and still remain cool enough to carry out an intended burglary – the sound alone is usually enough to send a would-be criminal scurrying off to safety.
Deadbolt the doors
More than a third of all burglaries are executed after the perpetrator gained entry through the front door, and nearly a quarter of all thefts are committed after entry through the back door. This should make it clear that your doors receive special attention from the criminal-minded, usually because they provide the easiest access. Installing a deadbolt on your front and back doors can be a very cost-effective measure to deter criminal entry, and only a highly skilled burglar is capable of circumventing the security provided by doors that have deadbolt locks installed.
Close the curtains
Being neighborly and having curtains drawn back all the time can be problematic, in that it can provide any burglar a solid glimpse into the interior of your home. That can help with the decision on whether or not there are valuables inside worth stealing. By keeping curtains closed, especially when no one is home, you’ll be depriving criminals of needed information.
Trim the shrubs
Don’t let shrubbery become overgrown and provide an effective hiding spot for burglars because they can use this to ‘case the joint’, and to provide a base for their criminal operations. Trees can provide this same kind of protection, as can large flower beds or particularly overgrown varieties of flowers and grasses.