Home Security: 5 Ways to Prevent a Break-in

Home security is more important than ever and home security systems are just a part of the arsenal of tools that can protect your home and your loved ones. Few things can compare to the feeling of violation that occurs when you are the victim of a break-in. After a break-in, you not only can feel like your world is unsafe, you may also struggle to live with the loss of items that have significant sentimental value. In an effort to keep you a step ahead of would-be thieves and to supplement the protection provided by home security systems, here are 5 tips to prevent a break-in.

5 home security tips to prevent a break-in

1. Don’t advertise what you own.

Home security systems aren’t going to be effective if you make your home so enticing that an intruder will take any measures to break-in, at any price. If you own big-ticket items or those that have a perceived value, don’t display them openly in or near the windows of your house. In addition, keep those items in an area that is monitored by your home security system’s motion sensors. Finally, when you do have boxes from purchases, be sure to break them apart, flatten them, or dispose of them at a local recycling center.

2. Use lighting strategically.

Light is a natural defense against unscrupulous individuals who hide in the shadows. One of the primary benefits of using home security systems is that they can automatically detect movement and turn on lights in and around your home in response. Home security systems can also be set to turn your home’s lights in and off at certain times of the day, making it appear that someone is home.

3. Don’t hide a spare key.

Spare keys are convenient but because popular hiding places like fake rocks in the yard are so common, they are a prime target for theft. Once a person possesses the key to get in your home, nothing is safe. Fortunately, even if you have no choice but to leave a spare, your home security system is in place to sound the alarm and contact authorities if someone enters without using the proper keypad code.

4. Pay attention to your yard.

Landscaping is necessary but having large bushes, hedges or other plants that cover a large space are also great for hiding. When you leave your home for the day or for several days, it’s easy enough for a potential burglar to use large landscaping components to hide, check for neighbors or police, then enter your home. Well-planned home security however, can detect motion in your yard and can alert police if a door or window has been compromised while the alarm is on.

5. Inform local law enforcement.

If you know you will be away from home for any period of time longer than the normal 8 to 12 hours for work and other activities, a quick call to the local police can give you peace of mind. Yes, you have a home security system that will immediately contact the police however having a patrol car do an additional sweep of your home and surrounding area while you’re away can help prevent crime before it happens. This makes your home a bit safer and the work of the police a bit easier.

As always we do strongly recommend having at least a basic home security system.

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