According to the latest statistics, there are around 2.5 million burglaries committed in the United States every year. This is a frightening number, so it’s no surprise that American citizens want to do everything possible to ensure their property and everyone in it are safe.
If you are away from your home for most of the day, or if you plan on going on vacation soon, it’s important to make sure there are measures in place to deter criminals and avoid your home from being a target. Here are some steps you can take.
Keep Your Curtains Closed
Not only is keeping your curtains closed during the day a great way of keeping the heat in, but it also makes your home more difficult for would-be thieves to scout it out. Covering your windows means it’s impossible to tell if anyone is home, and it also keeps your valuables out of sight. You can consider installing motorized blinds that can be controlled from your smartphone if you feel this is something you are likely to forget to do before leaving the house.
Install a Home Security System
If you have the budget for it, it’s a good idea to have a home security system professionally installed. This can consist of things like motion sensors, security cameras, alarms, and glass break sensors, which can be monitored by yourself on a central panel or remotely via an app. You can also use professionally monitored systems that will respond to any intruders and communicate with you to inform you of whatever situation is unfolding.
Install Motion Sensor Lights
Motion sensor lights are a cheap and easy way to deter thieves from entering your premises. Thieves prefer to strike in the dark hours of the night since they can usually move around undetected. However, bright motion sensor lights around your property will illuminate points of entry and remove any potential hiding spots. This instantly makes your home less of a target since the burglars will simply look for somewhere that is less protected.
Do Not Advertise the Fact That You Are Away
If you have a vacation or business trip coming up, meaning your house will be unoccupied for some time, try not to advertise this fact on your social media accounts. Also, try not to tell too many people either, as you never know who is listening to your conversations. If a burglar knows you are going to be away, they will use this to their advantage; you may not notice that a burglary has taken place until you arrive home, and this delay between the crime and contacting the police will mean there is less chance of them being caught.
While you are away, it’s a good idea to have someone pick up your mail since letters piling up in the mailbox is a sure sign to passersby that no one is home.
Consider Firearms for Home Defense
Last but not least, many homeowners in the US take advantage of the right to bear arms. Should any of your home defense systems fail for any reason, and an intruder manages to make their way into your property, you will also want peace of mind that you can protect yourself. If you come face to face with a burglar and you feel as though you are in imminent danger, you’ll need some form of weapon for self-defense. This is a decision that should not be taken lightly since handguns are dangerous, after all, and you need to know the laws in your state before you purchase anything. Once you have done your research, look for a firearms and ammunition supplier that is based in the USA.
As you can see, there are many things you can do to keep your home secure from theft.
