Burglars are opportunistic and always on the lookout for homes that are easy prey. If there's a hole in your home security strategy, there's a chance they'll burglarize you. Here are 13 ways to potentially help protect your home and possessions against theft.
13 best ways to help burglar-proof your home
1. Equip your home with an alarm system
Ideally, it should be linked to a central alarm switchboard and connected to a power source that will keep it operational during a power failure.
2. Place notice stickers on your doors and windows
They indicate to would-be thieves your house is protected by an alarm system.
3. Always lock your doors and windows when you leave the house
Never leave the garage door open when you’re away from home. It defeats the purpose of having an alarm.
4. Install a peephole in the door rather than a chain lock
A peephole allows you to see who is at your front door without having to open it.
5. Change all the locks when you move into a new house
You never know who has a copy of the keys. You should also repeat the exercise if you lose your keys. After all, you never know who found them.
6. Don’t hide a door key outside the house
Instead, give a spare key to a neighbour or friend you can trust. Also, never write your name, home address or phone number on the key or key chain.
7. Don’t leave desirable objects in plain view
Objects such as bicycles or a snow blower in easy view of a passersby can prove tempting. Similarly, inside the house don’t leave valuable items near windows, where they might be seen from outside.
8. Prune trees and bushes so that burglars can’t hide behind them
Don't give thieves places to take cover from the cops. You want them caught after all, not camouflaged!
9. Make sure window air conditioners are firmly in place
You should also secure all basement windows with bars that can be easily removed from the inside – in case you need to exit the basement in an emergency. All it takes is a loose air conditioning unit or window for a burglar to gain access to your home.
If you're planning to go away on a trip...
10. Don't brag about your trip on social media
Don’t mention your absence on the Internet, especially if you’re on an extended trip. What's more, don’t give any indication of your absence on your answering machine or voice mail.
11. Ask a friend or neighbour to pick up your newspaper every day
Even better, suspend your subscription temporarily so the pile of newspapers doesn’t betray your absence.
12. Install timers
To give the impression that someone is home, install a programmable timer to turn indoor and outdoor lights on and off.
13. Don't let your voicemail fill up
To prevent your voicemail from filling up, access it from a distance or have your calls transferred to someone trustworthy.
You can never be too careful
Even if you do everything possible to protect your home against burglars, there is always the possibility that a thief will manage to break into your home. Having a good home insurance policy will help you protect your house and your goods in case of theft.
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