Your home is your castle. Few other things are as upsetting and demoralizing as finding your sacred abode violated by a heartless burglar.
Although heist movies portray criminal masterminds who are daring enough to compromise and defeat even the most sophisticated security measures, it doesn’t take lots of brains and know-how to be a real-life burglar or intruder. I mean, most of them gain access to properties by simply opening unlocked windows and doors or quickly breaching poorly secured ones. In other words, they take advantage of our disregard for safety and strike when we least expect it. Owing to this negligence, the FBI estimates that a burglary takes place every 16 seconds. Tragically, in more than 90 percent of these break-ins, the properties are usually empty.Â
The thing is, your home is your castle. And to be honest, few other things are as upsetting and demoralizing as finding your sacred abode violated and desecrated by a heartless burglar. And though you can’t entirely eliminate the probability of being robbed or burglarized, implementing a few of these security measures can go a long way protecting your property and the people you love.
1. Install Security Cameras
Most property owners are deluded that robberies and break-ins only occur in the cover of darkness. Contrary to this belief, research shows that criminals prefer invading homes and workplaces between 10 am and simply because they want to minimize the chances of being caught. If you are normally at school or work during the day, your home is more susceptible to break-ins. This also applies to workplaces that are closed on weekends.
Fortunately, today’s technological advancement gives you the freedom and autonomy to watch your home or workplace even when miles away. If you are constantly away, installing reliable security cameras will come in handy since you can monitor your house or workplace from miles away.
2. Arm Your Home with an Alarm System
If you have been contemplating installing a burglar alarm, welcome to the ranks! Over 1.8 million alarm systems are installed in workplaces and homes each year in the US. And this is for a good reason – research has established that properties with security systems are 3 times more likely to be broken into than a property with none. And though the initial investment capital for these products can be high and you have to make monthly payments, you will benefit in the long run.Â
When looking for an effective alarm system, go for one with a separate keypad and control panel since units that are integrated with controls can be easily compromised before notifying the monitoring center.
3. Minimize Access to Your Keys
Your keys are not candy. Therefore, don’t give them to just anyone because they are meant to be private. And even if your door has multiple locks, it is imperative to be mindful of who has that extra set. So, instead of handing your dog walker or nanny all the keys to your house give them one that opens the garage and front doors. This way, even the keys land on the wrong hands or are lost, intruders will not gain access through other doors. This also extends to handing your keys to car mechanics and valet attendants.
However, if handing your keys to nannies, mechanics and other 3rd parties is inevitable, ensure that your home or workplace is always under surveillance. This can be achieved by installing a hidden camera to monitor all the activities in the house secretly.
4. Install Smart Lighting, Indoors, and Out
Installing smart lights around your home or workplace will potentially deter intruders. This involves strategically fitting flood lights, outdoor motion detector lights and security lights in entry and vulnerable areas such as doors and windows.
For an extra layer of security, why not install a night vision security camera for 24-hour surveillance of your home? And don’t forget to put signs around your workplace or home notifying people that the property is under 24-hour surveillance. This way, you will discourage prowlers from invading your property.
With these products, your home will always be under surveillance regardless of whether its day time or night.
5. Reinforce Windows and Strengthen Doors’ Kick-in Resistance
Windows present unique security challenges because all a burglar has to do is break it and gain access. Even so, all is not lost. There are several ways of fortifying your windows. For instance, using special windows like those used in cars, ensuring that the panes are strongly attached to frames or fitting removable grills across the cross.
If none of these is practical for you, consider securing windows with motion sensor lights and CCTV cameras to deter intruders from attempting a break in. the good thing is, there is no shortage for these products. Even if they don’t deter intruders, they will capture and stream live video and audio feed to your linked smart device.
6. Be smart about who you let into your home
Sometimes, even your nanny or office assistant could be harboring ill-motives against so they can’t be trusted. For this reason, it is important to keep a close eye to the people that work for you. And even if you can trust them, keep your valuables away and don’t forget to install nanny cameras all over your house to track and monitor what they do.
7. Make sure your doors and windows are locked
This might simple and easy, but it is an effective way to keep burglars away from your home or workplace. Leaving doors and windows open will invite anyone looking for an easy target to burglarize.
8. Get to know your neighbors
Another effective yet cheap warding off intruders and potential burglars are becoming friends with your neighbors. This will come in handy especially when you leaving your home or office for an extended period of time and you would someone to keep a close eye on your property.
9. Get a guard dog
A dog will normally bark whenever a stranger or intruder gets into your property. And even if it might not chase the intruder, it will bring to your attention that an unauthorized person is trying to access your home.
Bottom line
To stay safe and avoid the ramifications of a robbery or burglary, always ensure that your property is secured. And let no one lie to you. There is no this as being too cautious when protecting your family or your place work from burglars and robbers. Therefore, do what you can when you can to avoid crying over spilled milk.
