Fortunately, burglary is probably the most preventable of crimes. By taking a few simple precautions, you can dramatically reduce the risks.
- Don’t advertise when you go on vacation. Make sure to have a neighbor take in your mail and newspapers, and consider installing a system that rotates lights on and off, creating the illusion that someone is in the house.
- Do you like gardening? Roses are one of the most effective burglary deterrents, thanks to their thorny stems. Guard vulnerable, low-lying windows with attractive, prickly rose bushes.
- Teach your kids how to use your alarm system. Generally, children can operate your home security alarm from the age of eight.
- Park your car in the garage, especially if it’s a late model. There’s no need to let everyone know that you have disposable income; that means there are objects inside the house that are worth stealing.
- Change your locks once a year. Throughout the course of 12 months, different people constantly have access to your keys. Eliminate the chance of an easy entry by switching up the locks.
- If you live in an apartment or condo, let your neighbors know you expect them to take building security seriously. Don’t let anyone into the building unless you personally know them.
- Your security system is worthless if it’s not activated. Get into the habit of setting it each time you leave the house. You may even want to consider posting a note in your car to remind you.
- Consider getting a dog. You don’t need an attack dog, by any means-as long as the bark is audible, it’s likely to send a burglar scurrying to the next house on the block.
- Think about joining a neighborhood watch association. Though not as popular as they once were, these groups are still an effective way of battling crime at the local level.
- Leaving a key under a doormat is like inviting a burglar into your home for tea. This is the first place an intruder will look. Even lock-boxes aren’t foolproof. You may want to look into installing a digital keypad. This relatively low-tech answer can really simplify your life.