Home Security Tips

It’s getting to be that time of year again; birds are singing, grass is turning green and burglars are on the prowl. Wait…what? Yep, unfortunately, when you get to spring/summer it means an increase in home burglary and home invasion. But, there are things you can do to protect yourself from becoming a victim. Let’s take a look at those tips:

1. Keep Bushes Around House Neatly Trimmed

That’s right, not only will it make your neighbors happy, it’ll give thieves less of a place to hide. One of the first things you need to know about home defense is this: Most burglaries are crimes of opportunity. Which means, if they have to stand in front of your house, trying to open a window or pick a lock and they have nowhere to easily hide (i.e. tall, unruly bushes) they’ll be less likely to pick that house; all for the simple reason that they have less of a place to hide. And did I mention it’ll make your neighbors happy?

2. Have Neighbors Pick Up Your Mail When You’re On Vacation

When we get into summertime, people love to take vacations. Whether its the beach, or getting away to the cool, peaceful mountains, summer = vacation in America. And that’s great. But you don’t want to leave a giant “Rob Me” sign when you go on vacation. Whats that? Of course you wouldn’t do that? Well, only sort of. A mailbox overflowing with mail and a driveway filled with daily newspapers is basically robber-code for: I’m not home. Please steal my things. Seriously, folks, have a neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers when you’re gone. If you don’t want to do that, then have the post office and newspaper company hold your mail.

3. Close Your Garage Door

What? My, garage door? You’re either thinking one of two things right now: A. I always close my garage door, or B, why does it matter if my garage door is closed. My response? No you don’t, and it matters because people will steal from you. Think about how easy and inviting an open garage door is to a thief. First of all, there’s a good chance he can wander in there, and break into your house, unnoticed by neighbors, through your inside door. But, even if that’s not his final plan, he can just as easily wander into your garage and steal those nice power tools (insert whatever other expensive things you have in your garage) you got for Christmas last year. Now, for this one, I have a little help: get a Garage Butler. They’re cheap, and they will automatically close your garage door if you leave it open for a certain period of time.

4. Have a Well-Lit Exterior, or Purchase Motion-Sensor Flood Lights

I’m guessing this one isn’t a surprise (hopefully none of these are). As I mentioned above, thieves like to rob places that are…well…easy to rob. They don’t want to risk your nosey neighbor peering out the window and seeing them, all lit up, right in front of your house. So, if you put in motion detector flood lights you won’t waste electricity, but you’ll still have the necessary (and startling) light coverage you need, when you need it.

5. Invest in a Security System of Some Sort

Security systems are cheap these days. No, really they are. You can get a top-of-the-line, sophisticated, sleek looking security system without breaking the bank. And it can be simple. You can choose just to cover windows and doors, and maybe a motion sensor or two. The great benefit is this: If someone breaks in while you’re sleeping or away, and you have a monitored home security system, then someone else will be notified. And, they can contact local emergency personnel, who hopefully, can nab the bad guy, and throw him in jail for a very long time.

I hope these tips are helpful. They are not comprehensive, but they are designed to get you thinking about securing and protecting your home, just using common sense. If you have any great tips to add, post them below. We’d love to hear them!

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