5 Tips to Deter Home Intruders
Installing a security system in your home is the best preventative measure against burglary. In addition, there are quite a few things you can do to prevent your home from being targeted in the first place. When a burglar is scouting out a home to break into, we want them to take one look at yours, have them think “nope”, and keep walking.
Below are some important measures you can take to protect your home. Some of them might seem obvious but they shouldn’t be overlooked. And of course, you want to back up all these measures with an actual alarm system, just in case someone still decides to still victimize your home. A complete home protection plan includes many elements and strategies. We hope you enjoy these 5 tips.
An active home that looks occupied.
You want your house to look active and occupied - not abandoned. Make sure to you keep a light on inside and outside at night. However, according to the FBI.gov website, most home burglaries take place during the day. Park a spare car in the driveway while you are at work, and draw the curtains so people can’t peep inside looking for valuables. Keep a stereo or television playing inside so it sounds like someone is home. Be creative! We all remember the “Home Alone” example with the moving mannequins in the window, but perhaps we don’t have to take it quite that far. :)
2. Have a legitimate, visible yard sign.
Although it sounds simple, studies show that simply having a legitimate security alarm company yard sign and window stickers can be enough to deter some burglars. According to www.epssecurity.com, 40% of burglars factor a yard sign into their decision to strike a home. However, make sure it’s from a real company and not a fake sign. Burglars can easily look the company up to see if it’s legitimate. If you don’t have a sign yet or you need multiple signs for your property, make sure you purchase one from our office for a low cost.
3. Exterior Lighting.
Don’t underestimate the power of having a well-lit home, inside and out. The more lights you have, the less dark spaces there will be for people to sneak around. Motion lights and floodlights are the most effective and recommended. You should have several different kinds around your property depending on the location and needs of the specific area. Ask our team for our top-rated lighting solutions.
4. Install Fencing or a Gate Around the Premise.
This is a great solution to prevent people from even stepping foot on your property. Having a gate or fence is one more hurdle for burglars. In combination with other protective measures methods in place (like an early-warning system), a fence will slow burglars down while dispatchers are sending the authorities your way.
5. Landscaping Barriers.
Get creative! There are so many different tall trees or bushes that would add character and protection to your home. This website had some great landscaping suggestions: https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/how-to-use-your-yard-to-keep-burglars-away.html/. We suggest blackberry bushes (they grow like thick vines with sharp thorns, which can grow over chain-link fences, making them a perfect security barrier). We also recommend a large succulent garden, tall and thick hedges, or any other vegetation that would be hard to climb over or through.
If in the rare occurrence that a burglar does make it inside your property even with these security measures, remember to stay calm! We will be posting another blog soon about how to make an action plan in case an unfortunate event occurs. We hope you enjoyed these 5 tips to deter home burglars. There are many more out there, please share your favorites with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.