Burglar Deterrents

By Alaina Brandenburger

A recent report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that in 2016, more than 2,400 people in 100,000 were victims of a home burglary. In a portion of these cases, the homeowners were in the house at the time. Such a break-in can put your family at risk of physical harm. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to deter break-ins, helping to keep your home and family safe. Protect your home with these tips.

Visible Door and Window Locks

One of the main deterrents to home break-ins is keeping windows and doors visibly locked. One of the most common methods by which thieves enter a home is through a door or a window. If your doors and windows are locked, then break in times tend to be longer; locks can deter burglars and send them looking for other homes in the area whose windows and doors are unlocked.

Crimsafe Security Screens

There is no reason to sacrifice security for better airflow through your home. Crimsafe Security screens are made of 304 grade stainless steel, and they have been designed to hold up to knives and other sharp objects. They are more difficult to break through than traditional screens, keeping your home protected while allowing you to keep your windows cracked.

Call the Police

When your home has been burglarized, your first call will be to the police, but you don't have to wait until there is an emergency. Call your local precinct's non-emergency line and have an officer come by to do a security inspection on your home. They can tell you where vulnerabilities exist on your property and give you strategies to fix them.

Invest in an Alarm System

Another potential deterrent to thieves is an alarm system. Old alarm systems were loud and ineffective at times, but alarm systems currently come with a wide variety of smart features that let you monitor your home's perimeter and alert the authorities automatically in case of a break-in and at best they capture footage of people stealing things from your home… but it doesn't stop it happening.

Security Doors

Most common deterrents to burglary involve making access to your home more difficult. When it takes longer for a burglar to break into a home, they can be tempted to move on to an easier location. Many security doors are made of high grade steel that is harder to break through, and they feature locks that are harder to pick.

Get a Small Dog

Although larger breeds are more commonly associated with security, having a small dog can be more of a deterrent to would-be thieves. In general, find a dog that barks more around strangers. If your dog is causing a scene, it can alert you or your neighbors that there is trouble in your home, and it may keep thieves from sticking around.

Keep Your Home Well Lit and Monitored

Keep your home safe with security cameras and security lighting. Not only are cameras an excellent deterrent to would-be thieves, but they can also provide evidence in case a crime happens. When you have your cameras rolling at all times, you can turn the evidence over to the authorities in the event of a crime, making the neighborhood safer.

Keep Your Valuables Stashed

People intent on robbing a home are typically more fond of getting in and out quickly, so they tend to prefer taking things that are out in the open or are not well hidden. By keeping your valuable assets in a locked safe, they are less accessible.

There are steps you can take to make yourself a less desirable target of a burglary. By securing your home at all levels, you can make your home far less appealing to would-be thieves.