The very thought of an intruder accessing your home probably fills you with fear. Nobody wants to imagine a situation where the safety of their family and their belongings are at risk but sadly, this is something that we all need to keep at the back of our minds.
Every year, millions of homes are burgled. Sadly, families are left with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial loss because of these burglaries. What’s even more saddening is the fact that burglaries are on the rise, especially in certain areas of the United States.
Lack of effective home security is one of the main reasons for many home burglaries. Taking the right steps to secure your home will deter burglars and prevent intruders from accessing your property.
Here are three great ways to deter thieves from your property and keep yourself, your family, and all of your personal possessions safe.
Secure Your Garage Door
Garage doors are one of the weakest spots of the home. Burglars usually check garage doors before anything else when they’re trying to break into a property.
If your garage door is old and worn, it’s going to be easier for burglars to break or pry open. Replacing your garage door and finding the best garage door opener will maximize your security, making it much harder for burglars to gain access to your home.
If you don’t want to replace your whole garage door, choose garage door repair or reinforce the door using a deadbolt to add an extra layer of protection.
Keep Your Valuables Out of View
As proud as you might be of your expensive jewelry or high-tech gadgets, avoid displaying them near your windows, especially on the ground floor of your home.
Only 12% of burglaries are planned in advance, meaning most home intrusions are spontaneous. If a burglar is trawling the neighborhood looking for their next target, they might choose your home if they see that you own lots of valuable items.
But if they don’t see anything of valuable when they walk or drive past your property, they probably won’t waste their time and energy.
Instead of displaying your expensive jewerly on your dressing table, keep it in a box or drawer. Keep your cards and keys out of sight and away from your windows.
Create a Strong Garden Barrier
Burglars are much less likely to try and access your house when there are several obstacles in their way. If you have a garden, you can use bushes and plants as strong physical barriers to deter thieves from your home.
While your front hedges may need to stay well-trimmed to meet local hedge laws, you can keep your side and back foliage dense and tall. Not only do high bushes keep your home out of sight but they also create an effective obstacle that most burglars won’t bother trying to overcome.