Simple tips that make your home more secure

Burglaries are one of those things that seem to happen to ‘someone else’ rather than to you. But the truth is that anyone’s house could get burgled. So, it is always better to put some security measures in place to reduce the risk of it happening.

You may have contents insurance which will recover the value of the things that were stolen. But an incident like this may leave you feeling unsafe in your own home. Take a few steps to give yourself peace of mind.

1. Always make it look like you are at home

On days that you have to work late, have a neighbour come in and put your lights on. Or make it look like you’re at home by setting your lights to a timer and maybe also the radio. When burglars see that someone is home, they think twice about entering.

Even if you’re going on vacation, it’s not recommended that you post all those amazing photos on social media while you’re away. This tells strangers that you’re away from your home for an extended period of time, making it a tempting target. Arrange for a neighbour or friend to come over and pick up your mail and newspapers. A pile of flyers, unread newspapers etc. on the porch makes it clear that no one is home.

2. Maintain the garden

Don’t give intruders places to hide in your garden – large shrubs near the building make for good hiding spots. If you have a tree in your yard, trim the branches so they aren’t too close to the windows. You don’t want them to enter through the upstairs windows.

Look around the garden and position lights in spots that are dark and give someone a good spot to hide in. You can get motion sensor lights so that they don’t bother your neighbours. This conserves energy as well. Walk around your building and garden, critically assess any weak spots that could allow an intruder in and take the necessary precautions.

3. Get a security system

While it is not always effective in keeping burglars out of your home, a security system will deter many thieves. The piercing alarm also alerts the authorities if someone does break in. Remember to always engage the alarm.

4. Shatterproof glass windows and secure sliding doors

It may be worth it to upgrade your windows to shatterproof glass. This makes it much harder for someone to break a window and gain access to your home. A more economical option is to have security film added to the windows. This prevents the glass from shattering when someone tries to break it. If it does not break easily on the first try, the burglar may decide not to continue for fear of being spotted.

Windows and doors that slide open are generally considered weak spots as they are very easy to manipulate. Have a security bar installed to make it more difficult to enter the house via a sliding door. Another simple trick is to place a rod in the track so the door doesn’t slide open even if the lock is broken.

5. Keep your yard uncluttered

Often burglaries are crimes of opportunity. Don’t leave tools, toys or ladders lying about in your yard. A thief can use a tool or a heavy toy to break open a windowpane. A ladder could help a thief reach a higher window that may not be locked. Even broken tree limbs could give the burglar an advantage. So make sure to teach your children to put their toys away after playing with them and make sure you put away barbecue equipment and gardening tools.

6. Check your doors and windows

Even if it takes a few minutes more, remember to check if all your doors and windows are locked before you leave for work in the morning and before going to bed at night. If you like having your window open at night, install stays that only let the window open for a few inches.

7. Have the locks changed

The first thing you should do when you move into a new house is to have the locks changed. This way, you know exactly how many copies of your house keys are out there and you can only hand them to people you trust.

8. Get the family involved

Home safety is a family effort; you can’t always be there to keep an eye on things. So, you should teach your children to pay attention to things around the house and notice anything unusual. Ensure that they know to keep doors and windows locked and not to let strangers in. Make sure they don’t leave their toys in the yard or tell strangers if you’re going away on vacation.

Be mindful every day

Just being mindful of your everyday routines and practices can make a big difference in your home security. Many burglaries are crimes of opportunity, so if a thief sees that it is difficult to get into your home, he or she is likely to move on.