If you want to increase your home security, you can take steps to deter thieves while you are away.If you want to make your home unattractive to potential thieves, install a security system and display a "Beware of Dog" sign.It is possible to discourage forced physical entry by securing external doors and windows and never leaving a spare key outside.
Step 1: External doors should be locked at all times.
If a person can walk in through the front door, you won't use any other home-security measures.Most burglaries happen because doors and windows are left unlocked, and many robbers only enter homes when a door is unlocked.All external doors should be locked at all times when you're home or walking around the block.Don't leave your balcony door unlocked at night or when you go out.Balconies could make it easy to get into a home.Treat garage doors the same as any other door in your home.Make sure they are locked up, as well as the door that leads from the inside of the garage into your house.
Step 2: External windows and sliding glass doors should be locked.
If the windows and doors are unlocked, you can open them from the outside.If a thief discovers that your front door is locked, they will attempt to enter your home through a window.Keep the windows locked at all times.Drop a metal rod into the track on the inside of the sliding glass door to make it more secure.The sliding door's lock is often weak.
Step 3: The exterior lighting can be used to ward off potential robbers.
Well-lit entrances are an effective deterrent as burglars will look for houses with no chance of being seen.If there are lights at entry points, it will be harder for a thief to break in.All exterior entrances should have lights.If you are concerned about your house being broken into while you're away overnight, install motion-activated floodlights in your front and back yards.If you want to make your home appear occupied, you can set a timer on your indoor lighting.
Step 4: Don't put notes on the door.
Notes left to delivery services, friends, or visitors will tell you that you're not in the house if you work in your own back yard.Not only will thieves look at your porch for packages to steal, but they'll also be inclined to enter your home and look for items to burgle.
Step 5: When you're away from home, close your curtains.
Thieves look at houses to see if the owners have items worth stealing.It's a good idea to keep curtains closed in rooms with expensive equipment.If you are only going to be gone for an evening or a single night, it is still best to close your blinds.
Step 6: You should never leave a spare key outside.
If spare keys are stored under the welcome mat or a plant pot, they are easy to steal.Thieves could gain easy access to your home if they check these locations first.If you're worried about accidentally locking yourself out of your home, give a spare key or two to a trusted neighbor, relative, or friend.If you need to keep a spare key, you can store it in a dropbox set tounlock when your phone is in range or you entered the correct security code.Another option is to use an electronic lock instead of a manual one.You wouldn't need a key or a code to open your door.It's a good idea to avoid obvious combinations.
Step 7: While you're gone, leave the lights, TV, and stereo on.
You can leave a light on or play the TV or stereo in the house if you go out.Even if you are out for the night or the weekend, this will make your house look like there are people in it.Thieves will think twice before breaking into a house.If you are going to be away for a longer period of time and don't want to leave the lights on, you can put interior lights or your TV on timers.Timers can be bought at any hardware store.
Step 8: A friend can make your house look better.
Your friend can come by your house at least two or three times a week.To put out your rubbish, bring the empty bins back in at night, and ask them to pick up your newspaper, post and any packages you receive.The activities will make your house look like someone is living in it.This will make potential thieves think twice about robbing an empty house.
Step 9: Hire a house sitter.
A house sitter can stay in your house during your vacation.If that is not possible, ask the sitter to stay at your house for at least an hour or two.Potential thieves will be deterred by seeing someone living in the house.If you give your house-sitter the code for your home security system, they will not accidentally set off the alarm and receive a visit from the police.
Step 10: Before you leave town, trim the hedges and cut the grass.
If a potential thief sees that the grass is not cut and newspapers are still on the porch, they will see your house as an easy target.It's important when you're going on a holiday.Making your house look lived in by trimming the lawn and hedges is a good way to make it secure.The thief will move on to easier pickings if you give your home the appearance of being occupied.Thieves are usually lazy and try to make the money easy.They shouldn't be given a chance.
Step 11: You should install a home security alarm system.
One of the most helpful forms of home security is alarm systems.If a would-be thief attempts to break into your home, the alarm will alert local authorities and send you a notice as well.A home security system can scare off criminals.An alarm system can deter a person from breaking into a house.Your home security system will have a sticker on it.Place the sticker on the front window of your house so that it is visible to potential thieves.Potential burglars will think twice if they see the sticker alone.
Step 12: You should give the impression that you own a dog.
If you have a guard dog, they will not break in to your house.You can either get an actual guard dog or hang a few "Beware of Dog" signs near the entrance to your yard.Even if you don't own a dog, you can still convince potential invaders that you do.
Step 13: There are boxes that should be thrown away from expensive purchases.
You can see the box if you put it near the trash can.You can find a new TV set in your home if you drive past and see a TV box in the bin.The average thief will be drawn to your house if they see you have just gotten a new expensive item.It is the same thing for a computer, stereo, video games console, and any other item that is portable and inexpensive.Put the box inside of the garbage can on waste collection day.
Step 14: Attach a key-operated, Grade 1 deadbolt to external doors.
A good deadbolt is important for home security.You can install deadbolts at your local hardware store.The highest-grade security certificate will come with grade 1 deadbolts.If your front and rear doors are not locked by a deadbolt, a determined burglar could easily kick or shoulder their way into your house.
Step 15: If you lose a key, you can re-key the locks.
If you are moving into a new house, replace all of the external locks, even if they are high-quality, or have them re-keyed.If you don't replace or re-key the locks, you'll put yourself at risk since the previous homeowner could have given out spare keys to people who, to you, are complete strangers.If you misplace a key, change your lock.It's possible that someone else picked it up and stole the key.
Step 16: There are screws on door hinges.
Small screws will be included in a lock bought at the hardware store.You should replace the short screws with longer ones if you want to increase home security.It is harder for a would-be home invader to kick in doors if the lock and hinges are fastened.At your local hardware store, you can find screws of any length.
Step 17: Make your windows stronger.
You need to replace your window with laminated safety glass, get window grills, and get professional-grade window locks.The windows should be secured to prevent a lot of break ins.At your local hardware store, you can find these items.