How To Beef Up Home Security

Sometimes, the best way to protect your home from burglars is to put yourself in their shoes. What are they looking for in a potential target? What type of homes will be easier to break into than others? In this article, we’re going to show you how to think like a burglar in order to keep your home as safe as possible from their ever-present threat, with suggestions ranging from installing roller blinds to forwarding phone calls.

1. Uh-oh… not an alarm system

Burglars want to go about their business with as little attention being drawn to them as possible. And nothing draws attention like an alarm system. Whether it’s a loud siren that is activated as soon as a door or window to your home is opened, or a complex video system that feed back to a control room whenever a motion sensor is activated, burglars will avoid homes where alarm systems are clearly present, Adding signage to the outside of your home warning that the area is alarmed is an excellent deterrent measure.

2. Wait… are they home?

This is a question all burglars will ask themselves before attempting to break into a home. Very few burglars want to break into a place where the residents are home, so they look for signs that the residents are away. Leaving lights on before you go out is a great way to achieve this, but it goes beyond that as well. Some burglars, for example, will call the home phone to see if anyone picks up. It’s a good option, then, to have your calls forwarded to your mobile, so you can pretend you’re home even when you’re not. If you’re going away for some time, get a neighbour to collect your mail and newspapers, and to put the garbage out on a weekly basis — neglecting these areas will tell burglars that your home is right for the picking.

3. I wonder what’s inside…

Burglars want to know that breaking into a home is going to yield items of value. If they can see into a home, they will be able to see what’s inside — some valuable electronics, for example, or maybe some antiques that will go for a lot of cash at a pawn shop. Windows provide a view into your home, so by blocking these off you’ll be going a long way to deterring burglars in the first place. Using roller blinds is a great way to stop burglars seeing in while still allowing you to see what’s going on outside if need be. They also look great and will add aesthetic appeal to your home.

4. Where can I hide?

When approaching your property, burglars look for places they can hide. Often, large bushes or fences can provide the perfect hiding place, blocking them off from the streets. Fencing in particular is a two-way street; it can add security to your home, but it can also provide cover for the robbers once they’re in. Make sure your yard is always visible from the street, and if you do have full-perimeter fencing then combine it with an alarm monitoring system to ensure any intruders are spotted.