Summer is a time for vacations and getaways. But nothing can be more devastating than to come home and find your home ransacked by burglars. Even if the damage and stolen goods amount to a small monetary amount, the emotional toll can be very expensive.
Burglary is usually a crime of convenience. Preparing your home in advance to make it look less enticing to burglars can make him/her move on. Look over these home safety tips to see if you are prepared:
Lock everything
Lock your residence securely. Do not leave a spare key in the flower pot, under a rock or on a nail above the door. This is an invitation to a burglar. Keep garage side doors, sliding doors and all possible entry points securely locked, including second story windows. If you have access through the garage, make sure that door is locked also.
Control hedges and trees
Nice hedges under windows or anywhere along the side of the house provide hiding places for burglars who plan to enter when you leave. The beautiful old shade tree with hanging branches also provides a great hiding place. Low hanging limbs with access to your second story roof a lovely trellis next to the home or condo can be a welcome ladder for burglars.
Good home safety includes keeping gates locked if you have a fenced yard. Don’t make it easy for someone to climb over the fence using a tree or trellis.
Safety lighting
Keep motion sensing lights near driveways, the garage and the front door. Keep back and side yards lighted or use motion sensing lights in these areas as a safety measure.
Safes and lock boxes
A burglar entering your home is looking for quick cash, jewelry and other valuables. The thief may take expensive tools and small items from the garage. Many burglars are looking for money for drugs or they may be searching your home for prescription drugs.
Keep medicines in locked drawers or cabinets if possible. Lock up valuable jewelry in a safe of safe deposit box at a bank. A home safe should be securely bolted to a floor or wall. The safe can connect to your home alarm system.
Keep the home occupied
Make the home look occupied even if you are on vacation. Interior lights can be adjusted with timer switches. Your alarm system can also be programmed to turn lights on and off. The radio or TV can be set to a timer switch as an extra safety feature to make the house appear occupied. Let a trusted neighbor know when you are on vacation. Have the post office hold your mail or ask a neighbor to take it in. A neighbor can put out your trash can as well. You may also find a qualified house sitter who will keep your home occupied and take care of your pets. If you are gone for more than a week, have a teenager or a lawn company mow your lawn.
A casual burglar looking for quick drug money may not continually check a home to see if it is occupied. This person will use visual means to determine if it is safe to break in. Most homes are robbed when no one is home. Burglars do not want to confront people. They want a quick way in and out.
Security System
Having cameras on the outside of the home, can not only provide video footage of criminal activity, but they also let a burglar know that you are serious about your security. While having these cameras available for viewing on your phone is a good idea, missed notifications are possible. Cell phones can lose signal or require WiFi to see your cameras. If you are on vacation, you may have your phone on silent or leave it in the hotel room. Having a professional security system monitored by a reputable company, will give you the peace of mind to walk away from your phone and enjoy your vacation. No delayed or missed notifications if there is a problem at your home. Your security company will dispatch police immediately if necessary.
Preparing your home is the best way to deter theft. Before you go anywhere, take a moment to prepare the safety of your property.
