How to Protect Against Home Break-ins

Unfortunately, only about a quarter of all US homes rely on electronic security systems, reinforced glass, advanced locks, and nonstop surveillance via private security services for enhanced protection. With the millions of homes that continue to fall victim to burglars on a yearly basis, these measures do not offer a guarantee that your home will never become a target. Nonetheless, this does not mean that there aren’t additional things you could do to increase protection on your property. If you are looking for some smart and efficient recommendations on how to protect your home from burglars, our expert locksmiths have prepared a helpful list for you. Give it a thorough read and start implementing our recommended low cost ways to secure your home and lower the risk of break-ins in real-time. 

The Best Way to Protect Your Home

1. Secure Your Windows and Sliding Doors

• If you have not already secured your sliding doors and windows, make sure you use some strong dowel or rod on their backtracks. This will strengthen the doors and windows and prevent them from being easily popped off the frame. Unfortunately, this can also occur when the windows and sliding doors are locked and secured. 
• You could also rely on a two-by-four or steel bar and slide it into the back groove. This should help you prevent potential lock pickers from simply sliding the door back and opening it.
• It is also a good idea to fit a pin or nail into the frame of your windows to prevent burglars from raising more than a couple of inches. This way, you should benefit from an extra layer of security provided someone might attempt to pop off the screen and reach the window.
• For wooden window frames, it is possible to drill holes at a suitable height above the sash, right at the intersection between the top and the bottom of the window. Next, you will need to place a thick metal pin or a nail inside the hole.
• If you own an air conditioning unit, pay attention to the risk of someone trying to jimmy the window up from the exterior of the house. Adding a stopper to the window frame should do the trick here.

2. Lock Everything Up, Even When You Are Home

• It might sound like a no-brainer, but locking your doors and windows is one of the most important security ways to protect your home from break-ins. There are many cases of people who have spent a lot of money and energy on installing the most complex security alarm systems and advanced locks only to forget to arm the alarms or actually use the locks to secure their doors and eventually have their homes broken into.
• According to official data, more than 40 percent of all break-ins occur without the use of force. In other words, when properties are not secured behind the window and front door locks. Homes with deadbolt locks and thumb latch locks on the front door should always be locked at night as well as during the day.
• We strongly advise you to always check your patio or sliding doors for kicking attempts, since they tend to be more vulnerable from a security standpoint. Before leaving your home, remember to lock up any door that might be leading from the garage to the interior of the house as well.
• Garage doors do not require a lot of work to be opened by burglars, so you should always focus on properly securing the intermediary door. ­

3. Be Smart When Hiding Your Spare Keys 

Whenever possible, make sure you do not leave any spare keys to your home next to your home or in your back or front yard for quick access in case of an accidental home lockout. While you might think it would be a good idea to hide your home keys beneath the doormat, under a flower pot next to the front door, or in a similarly vulnerable location, this actually represents an open invitation for burglars to set foot inside your home with zero hassle. While there are a few smart ways to hide your home key without tipping off burglars, you might want to first consider giving your spare to a trustworthy neighbor you have known for a few years or to a nearby friend. Another good solution here is to hide the key in a quality magnetic combination lockbox and place it in a hidden location outside the house.

4. Remove Any Signs That Your Home is Vacant

Whether you are getting ready to go on a vacation for a few days or a longer time or you are simply away from home during the day or at night, you need to know how to make your home look occupied. Ask your neighbors or close friends to periodically drop by and pick up your mail and daily newspaper so the accumulating pile won’t tip off opportunist neighborhood burglars. Make sure you also find someone who can take care of the overgrown lawn or shovel the snow in the winter, another signal used by burglars to understand that you have been away for a longer time. If possible, park your car in a locked garage or have it periodically moved from the driveway by a trustworthy friend.

5. Should You Install a Wireless Security Alarm Kit?

These systems have evolved considerably over the years, which means that it should not cost you an arm and a leg to get one of these systems fitted. These kits normally consist of control panels, sirens or alarm boxes, PIR detectors, and door and window sensors. Make sure the batteries in the sensors are activated prior to mounting or programming the alarm, then proceed to power up the control panel. This is done by plugging in the power adapter. If your system comes with a backup battery, now would also be the time to activate it. To set up the system and synchronize it with all the window and door sensors and alarms you plan on installing in and around the house, look at the detailed instructions provided by the manufacturer. You will need to also disable the control panel tamper and choose the best position for the control panel. If the procedure sounds too complicated for you or you would like to install a professional home alarm system that you can control via a smartphone or laptop from a remote location, give us a call. We can recommend a few of the best security systems for you and provide professional installation and maintenance solutions at an affordable price. We can also pair your alarm system with state-of-the-art locks for your doors and windows for more peace of mind. 

Final Thoughts

As a final tip, be sure not to only consider taking more security measures for your home until you have actually fallen victim to a burglar. Start by standing outside your house or apartment, put yourself in the shoes of a potential burglar, and think about the quickest ways to get into your home without being noticed. This is definitely one way to think of the best ways to protect your home from intruders.