How to Protect Your Family From Break Ins

Whether you are at work or on vacation for a few weeks, your home could be vulnerable to break-ins. The last thing you want to see when you come home is a mess in your rooms because the place has been ransacked. Invest in robust home security, and don’t worry. 

Use Timers 

We’ve all seen the movie Home Alone; it’s a Christmas classic, so we’re familiar with the process the burglars go through to break into the best house on the street while the family is away on vacation for a holiday. They stake the place out for a long time and plan carefully. 

Often, break-ins aren’t like in the movies; instead of planned attacks, they are carried out by opportunists looking to take whatever they can get without getting caught. Timers are an effective deterrent because if they see the slightest element of resistance, they won’t attack.    

Key Care 

The easiest way through a locked door is by using the key, which is why thieves try to obtain keys if they can. One of the most common ways to steal keys is directly through the letterbox using a fishing method, a telescopic pole with a magnet on the end for picking keys from bowls.

Always make sure the keys to your car or your home are located well away from the front or back door. Unfortunately, these are convenient places to keep keys but not the most sensible. Additionally, only leave a spare set of keys with someone you can trust and not with neighbors.   

Use a Safe

According to experts (ex-burglars, that is), a house can be broken into and ransacked in around ten minutes; this gives them enough time to find a weakness in a door or window and locate valuable belongings. These days, valuables are often identities that can be used to steal money. 

Professional burglars know where to look and won’t be surprised to find a safe in a plausible location – perhaps in the cupboard in your home office. They will probably take the safe with them and crack it later, but hopefully, it will be empty with your second safe untouched in the loft.

Outside Lights 

When it comes to home break-ins, burglars are looking for an easy payday; any obstacle that gets in the way is likely to put them off; one of these obstacles is outside lights. Outside lights have timers and motion sensors to illuminate the driveway and make the burglars more visible. 

Outside lights are a great way to deter burglars because they are affordable and effective. Not only that, motion-sensing lights in your driveway or at the back of your house are convenient for you and your family when you come home at night or when you’re relaxing on a summer night.  

Deterrents 

As mentioned, burglars are opportunistic and looking for an easy payday; one or more obstacles in the way, and they are likely to abandon your home in favor of another down the street. While this is unfortunate for them, it does mean your home is protected, and your insurance is lower. 

Deterrents come in many different forms; there are signs and stickers that indicate you know  How to use a baton are part of the neighborhood watch, lights and cameras that threaten burglars with exposure, and various forms of fence and wall deterrent,    

Strong Doors 

Before a burglar tries anything, they will try the door at the front and back. If you have a secure door, it is probably a solid wood door with a level lock. Most insurance companies ask for a five-lever lock which provides the best locking mechanism. Doors with windows are weaker. 

If you want to create a good first line of defense against break-ins, start with outside deterrents such as lights, cameras, and wires; following that, you will want to invest in proper security doors and double-glazed windows. Check the security of the door with the local police.   

Home Security

Finally, a home security system is the best way to secure your entire property and have complete confidence when you’re at work or away on vacation. A security system includes an alarm, lights, cameras, and wi-fi capabilities. You can access the system from your smartphone.

There is a home security system to suit every budget, if you have a small home, you might only need some basic measures, like an alarm, but larger properties might require a security hub that can be accessed and controlled from anywhere. Search home security for more information.