You won’t ever be able to make your home completely burglar-proof, but you can do quite a bit to deter criminals. Most burglars go for easy targets, and a few simple upgrades will greatly reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
Switch to Safety Windows
If your windows are more than a few decades old, then you might want to install safety glass. That type of glass is strengthened by bringing it up to a very high temperature for a short period of time, and it is specifically designed to withstand multiple impacts. As an added bonus, safety glass could also improve your home’s insulation, and that will reduce your energy bills in the coming years.
Reinforce Your Doors
Many homeowners are surprised to hear that reinforcing a door is a simple project that usually only takes a few minutes to complete. The easiest way to reinforce your doors is to add heavy-duty deadbolts, but you might also want to install strike plates. A strike plate is nothing more than a metal receiver that is embedded in a doorway, and it will make a door very difficult to kick down. You should also re-key all of the locks if you have recently purchased your home.
Adopt a Dog
Most criminals won’t even think about breaking into a home if there is a dog inside. Even if your dog is relatively friendly, burglars don’t want to deal with barking or other loud noises. After you have adopted your dog, you should spend some time training it so that it knows exactly what to do if a stranger is inside the home. At the very least, your dog needs to be able to respond to all verbal commands in dangerous situations.
Install an Alarm System
When it comes to home security, very few upgrades are as effective as an alarm system. Modern alarm systems are incredibly easy to install, and you could have your sensors and cameras up and running in a matter of hours. Once your alarm system is installed, you should consider updating your homeowner’s insurance policy. Your provider might lower your monthly premiums if you have a high-quality alarm system.
Along with these few tips, you should also be friendly with your neighbors if you want your home to be as secure as possible. Your neighbors will be able to look after your home whenever you aren’t there, and they can give you a call or contact the police whenever they notice any suspicious individuals.
