If you are worried about keeping your family safe from intruders on your property, then have you ever thought of effective prevention methods to stop them? The typical answer would usually be to install an alarm system, however, with burglars becoming even more tactical, it may be worth considering other ways to eliminate any possible opportunity.
Though many people fear burglaries happening during the evening whilst the family are asleep, the majority of break-ins actually occur during the daytime when most of the household is out – perhaps either at work or school. Therefore, it is essential to consider a range of solutions to keep your property secure at any time of day.Protecting your family and belongings has never been so important, but what can you do to eliminate the chances of being burgled? Here are 12 top tips to take into consideration:
1. Keep shrubbery trimmed
You may never have thought of keeping your garden well-maintained but doing so could reduce the likelihood of a break-in occurring. Overgrown bushes and trees are ideal hiding spots for thieves before they make their move, however, if there are fewer places to hide, there is a very slim chance that they will even attempt to trespass onto your property. Dense trees can also obscure a view of the street. Therefore you have less of a chance of spotting any suspicious activity before it actually occurs. Another idea would be to plant thorny plants and bushes near windows and doors as a deterrent.
2. Purchase fencing
Many homes already have fencing installed, but if you haven’t got any at the current time, it would certainly be worth investing in some as a method of securing your property. Fencing will give you and your family the element of privacy from peering eyes and is an effective way of keeping unwelcome visitors from intruding on your property. Without fencing, burglars may be able to get a better look into your home to see what takes their fancy, but can also act a preventative measure– especially if fence panels are dauntingly high or have spiked ends.
3. Get friendly with your neighbours
Essentially, the only other people looking out for you your behalf whilst out are your neighbours, so it would be a real advantage to get to know them. This is especially important in smaller communities, as it is easier for neighbours to spot strangers who shouldn’t be lurking around. Making them aware of your working hours will ensure they can keep a close eye on any suspicious activity in your absence and inform you as soon as it happens.
You may even be interested in forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme with your neighbours, in which the community works together to look out for each another and lessen the risk of criminal activity. Meetings are usually held between residents of the local area, and you may even wish to invite the local police to give a talk on what to do if suspicious activity has been spotted. The police may also give some invaluable advice on how to further protect your own home, as well as giving out designated stickers to place on windows with the attempt of alerting burglars that a program is in action.
4. Keep your garden toy-free
Although your kids may play out in the garden every day after school with their toys, remember to always put their belongings away at the end of the day. A front or back garden filled with toys shouts out to any passer-by that you are not too careful with keeping belongings safe, therefore are unlikely to lock your doors and windows. It also may suggest that kids will have other expensive gadgets in the house.
5. Invest in technology
There are a wide range of technologies on the market to keep your home protected from thieves. An obvious example would be investing in a home security system which may feature the likes of motion sensors on the exterior of your property or CCTV cameras on the inside. This footage can then be handed over to the police as evidence and provide a better chance of catching the criminal.
Once you decided on getting a surveillance system fitted, ensure you use it every day in order to make it a worthwhile investment. After all, it only takes one day to forgetting to switch it on, which may be the unfortunate instance your home is under threat,
The Scotsman Shield offers an all-in-one method to protect your family from harm. Used as a method of self-defence and prevention, the kit holds an array of unique items designed to keep your property safe, including the likes of wireless infrared sensors, door and window alarms and even high-quality surveillance equipment.
A garage door can also be left open far too easily, especially by the kids. An open garage door can make a quick entry and exit for intruders. One piece of technology to bear in mind is a garage door timer, which closes the door once a is pre-set time is typed into the device. <
6. Be extra careful with windows and doors
It may seem like a radical option to consider, but if you are serious about keeping your property well-protected, reinstalling the panes of glass in your windows and doors with safety glass is a good call. You may also wish to take things a step further by placing metal bars at all openings of your home, to prevent intruders squeezing through any gaps. These can be unsightly, but there are many available which blend in with the décor and become somewhat unnoticeable.
7. Cage your letterbox
If you rely on mail through your letterbox, it would be worth installing a cage on the inside of the door to catch letter. It is often the case that burglars will poke a stick through your letterbox and rummage around to find dropped keys – which is often the case in many hallways. This is one of the scariest methods of a break-in, as it is quiet, there will be damage to your home and both your possessions and car could be taken in one swoop.
8. Don’t display a ‘Beware of the Pet’ sticker
It is thought of as an outdated tactic to display a ‘Beware of the (pet) sticker on the exterior of your home as it screams out to intruders that you are less likely to have an alarm installed and are relying solely on the reaction of a pet. Also, exposing that you have a cat, for example, is just another hint that there is an open entry at the back of the house.
9. Invest in curtains
Experienced burglars often have a good look around the property before making the decision to break in, dependent on whether the goods they can see from the exterior of the property are worth the time and the risk getting caught. If a thief cannot see in, there is a less likely chance they will select your home as a target. This is especially relevant at Christmas when presents are placed under the tree during the whole month of December. Installing thick curtains or blinds would be an ideal solution of keeping your possessions out of sight.
10. Keep your property well-lit
Having good exterior lighting around your home will raise the alert as soon as someone steps foot on your property. However, one of the best forms of lighting you can purchase is that which is triggered by a motion sensor. As soon as any activity is sensed, the motion will kickstart the floodlight and make you aware immediately that there is someone in close proximity to your home.
11. Store valuables in a safe<
High-value items such as jewellery and technological devices are two of the most sought-after items for break-ins. If you don’t use these valuable items very regularly, it would be best to lock them away in a coded safe.
12. Protect your home whilst on vacation
It is a standard procedure for people to announce they are jetting off on vacation via their social media platforms, however, this information could get into the wrong hands. If your Facebook account is completely accessible by anyone, you are practically advertising an open home to potential thieves. The criminal could be as close as a friend of a friend – and if they don’t happen to know where you live, there is a chance someone you know will. The risk could really be that simple.
Before you go away, be sure to cancel any orders of mail you are expecting, or, ask a neighbour to collect it for you. A collection of letters and packages on your doorstep is a major hint that you have not been home for some time.
Be sure to give a spare key to a friend or relative you can trust to check the home on the odd occasion if you are taking an extended break and give them contact information so they can get in touch in the event of an emergency.