Things You Can Do to Prevent a Burglary in Your Home

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Special thanks to Judy Tolliver of American Electronics for participating in this week's blog. You can contact her at 402.895.1800 or jtolliver@ae4u.com.

The best thing you can do to avoid a burglary is to take steps that will deter a potential burglar. National statistics point to one thing that makes a burglar choose one home from another – and it is almost always a home’s approachability. If you have a home that seems occupied, chances are a thief will head in the other direction. Likewise, if you are protected by a security system a burglar will shy away from approaching your home.

In short, the easier you make it for them to enter, the greater the chance you will have an intruder approaching your home. Here are some tips provided by our security expert that will help you to avoid a bad situation entirely.

Install a Peephole in Your Door

If your door doesn’t already have one, have a peephole installed and ideally one with a one-way view. Not only does it provide you the added protection of being able to clearly see who is at your door but also it acts as a deterrent to thieves that do not want to be identifiable.

Take Extra Precautions to Lock and Reinforce Doors

It may sound like common sense but a surprising number of thieves enter homes with unlocked doors, windows or other access and entry points. In fact, statistics report that a staggering forty percent of home invasions take place in situations where the homeowner was not careful about locking windows and doors.

Be Watchful of Garage Doors and Their Openers

A very common practice for homeowners is to house their garage door opener in a very convenient, accessible place – usually right near the interior entry door to the home. The problem with that is that it’s very predictable and easily accessible to a potential burglar too. Not only does our expert recommend keeping all garage door access points closed but also it is strongly suggested to house your garage door opener in an inconspicuous place.

Be Prepared With a Plan

In case the unthinkable does happen, the best defense you and your family can have is to be prepared with a plan that outlines exactly what you will do in case an intruder breaks in. If possible, set up a safe room with a cell phone that can be used to call authorities. For families with children, you should practice a drill just as you would in case of a fire plan.

Get the Added Protection of a Security System

These days, security systems have come a long way from just twenty years ago. With remote viewing access and the ability to adjust things like heat, lights and locks from afar – there are added protective measures you can take.  A security company sign acts as a strong deterrent to ward off criminals, giving you protection on top of the expected monitoring you will receive from the company. Most systems have a panic button set up to instantly call the police when triggered.

Take Extra Care When Away on Vacation

Burglars usually prowl neighborhoods looking for people that are gone away on vacation or for extended periods of time. Some things you can do to help prevent them coming to your home include setting lights, music and TV on a timer so as to make it look as if someone is home. You can also secure sliding doors with pins to prevent horizontal and vertical movement. Keep newspaper and mail deliveries going but ask a neighbor to pick your items up. Neighbors can also park their vehicles in your driveway for the illusion that someone is home.
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For more tips on how you can live safely and prevent a home intrusion, contact your security company today. As your trusted advisor, I have several excellent resources available as well. Stay safe!