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, you should 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: All 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 steps.Most burglaries happen when doors and windows are left unlocked, because many robbers only enter homes when a door is unlocked.All external doors should be locked at all times, even when you're home or walking around the block.If you have a balcony door, never leave it unlocked.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 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: If you want to ward off potential robbers, use exterior lighting.
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 to your house, 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: Notes should not be left on the door.
The fact that you're not in the house will be advertised by notes left to delivery services, friends, or visitors.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 will look at a house 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: Don't leave a spare key outside.
If spare keys are stored in obvious places such as 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 someone you trust.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 enter the correct security code.An electronic lock is an alternative to 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.
If you go out, leave a light on in any room in the house and play the TV or stereo at an audible volume.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 purchased at any hardware store.
Step 8: You can ask a friend to make your house look better.
A friend can come by your house 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.It will look like someone is living in your house with these activities.This will make potential thieves think twice about robbing an empty house.
Step 9: Hire a house sitter.
For the duration of your vacation, a house sitter can live in your house.If that isn't possible, ask the sitter to come and stay at your house for at least an hour or two.Potential thieves will be deterred by seeing someone living in your house.Give your house-sitter the code for your home security system so that they don't accidentally set off the alarm and receive a visit from the police.
Step 10: Before you leave, 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 on 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 easy money.Don't give them a chance.
Step 11: It's a good idea to install a home security alarm system.
One of the most helpful forms of home security is alarm systems.If a would-be burglar 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 could deter a person from breaking into your house.You will get a sticker with your home security system.Place the sticker on the front window of your house to make it visible to potential thieves.Potential burglars will think twice if they see the sticker alone.
Step 12: It's a good idea to 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 your trash cans.You can find a new TV set in your home if you drive past and see a box in the bin.The average thief will be drawn to your house if they see you have just gotten new, expensive items.It's the same thing for a computer, stereo, video games console, and any other item that is portable and inexpensive.Put the box in the garbage can on waste collection day.
Step 14: Attach a key-operated, Grade 1 deadbolt to external doors.
A good deadbolt is needed 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 misplace a key, re-key the locks in a new house.
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 strangers.If you lose a key, change your lock.Someone else could have picked it up and used it to steal your home.
Step 16: There are screws on door hinges.
Small screws are included in a lock bought at the hardware store.If you want to increase home security, you should replace the short screws with longer ones.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.