Burglar Proofing Your Home
According to the FBI, there is a burglary every 25.7 seconds in the US. That adds up to around 1 million incidents each year. As a result, home safety is a considerable concern for citizens in Nashville and beyond, which is why NCA has been helping our customers improve their residential security for over 20 years.
Proper prevention and a home security camera can significantly mitigate the risks of burglary and improve your home safety, along with some home safety best practices you can employ to keep your valuables safe.
Get Rid of Hiding Spots
Burglars use hiding spots to monitor and approach a house. If you have a yard cluttered with large objects, it can give thieves a place to avoid detection.
While plants, shrubs, and trees are aesthetically pleasing, they can also offer criminals an opportunity. So, reduce obstructions and keep a tidy yard to increase visibility and give burglars less options.
Secure Points of Entry
Securing your points of entry is an essential element of proper home safety. Let’s explore a few of the best practices.
Install a Deadlock
Deadlocks are time-consuming and challenging to pick. Even the sight of a deadlock can be enough to convince a burglar to move on to an easier target. So ensure you have quality locks to help beef up your residential security when you leave your home.
While most front doors are robust enough to withstand a motivated burglar, many side doors are lower quality and more vulnerable. Consider a deadlock for these doors too or even a deadbolt that intruders can't access by breaking a window.
Secure Windows with Window Locks
If you have window locks, ensure you actually use them. If you don't have any installed, it’s important to address that vulnerability straight away; it's a massive part of any residential security setup. Also, ensure your window locks are secured when you go out or fall asleep.
Secure Patio Doors
Patio doors are a vulnerable point of entry. Burglars often target these doors because they are at the rear of the house and offer time and cover to break without being detected.
Ensuring sliding doors are locked is essential. However, good patio door locks are just as necessary for your residential security. Installing a security bar on the sliding track can stop these doors from being opened from the outside. Additionally, impact-resistant glass will take the option of breaking the glass off the menu.
Buy Motion Activated Lights
Motion-activated lights are one of your best lines of defense during the night. When properly positioned, these lights will trigger when a burglar sets foot on your property. You can place lights at various points of entry to boost your residential security setup significantly.
While lights won't physically stop anyone from entering your property, they ensure that anyone doing so is visible. Additionally, when you're home, these lights can alert you that there is an unwanted visitor and give you time to react.
Lighting is an essential factor in residential security. Well-lit, highly visible properties are not what burglars are looking for, so they are an excellent way at preventing burglaries.
Be Smart With Social Media
People share an incredible amount of data on social media. For burglars, that means a treasure trove of data about your house's contents and your movements.
Be careful about what you post online, especially on publicly available accounts. Announcing to the world that you will be out between specific hours or going on holidays on particular dates is an invitation to bad actors. Don't make things too easy for them.
Install a Small Safe
Unfortunately, even when you take many home safety precautions, burglars can still gain entry to your property. At that point, the best thing you can do is mitigate the costs of that intrusion.
Installing a small safe is an excellent way to protect expensive jewelry and identify documents and other valuables.
Install Security Cameras
Installing security cameras is a proven preventative home safety method.
A home security camera works because potential burglars will be concerned that any attempts to monitor or break into your property will be recorded. Additionally, these systems can provide evidence in the event of a conviction.
If you’re ready to invest in a home security system, consider joining the NCA family! Contact us for a free consultation and more information about our monitoring services.