There are few things more terrifying to homeowners than the possibility of a burglar showing up in the night. It’s the think of nightmares. However, a burglary happens about every 18 seconds in the United States. So there’s a reason to take care in protecting yourself and your family. You can potentially repel thieves by doing, or not doing, a variety of things. Here are five signals your home may be sending to intruders—for better or for worse.
Keep Landscaping Trimmed
There are two reasons why maintaining the bushes and vegetation around your home can help ward off burglars. First, it makes it more difficult for intruders to conceal themselves on your property. If the hedges next to your house are overgrown, a burglar can easily sneak right up without detection. It’s also good to keep your yard in order because that shows potential intruders that you have your act together. They might thing that if you’re organized in one area, you’ll be more likely to have a plan to prevent theft. You can also consider selectively placing certain kinds of thorny plants near your home, such as rose buses, which will hurt anyone who’s not supposed to be there.
Old Mail and Newspapers
Burglars would rather break in to your home when no one is there. This is why the daytime is actually more popular for burglaries than night. Old mail in your mailbox or last week’s newspaper in your driveway are both tells that you aren’t home. If you’re going on vacation, make sure you have someone you trust pick up your mail for you. Make sure you don’t let the mail sit in the box for too long—even if you’re only getting junk. You’re just tempting criminals to take a chance with robbing you.
Get a Home Security System
One of the best ways to ward off potential intruders is to get a security system. Many former thieves have said that a home security system was a deterrent for attempting to break into a home. Just having that sign out in your lawn or front window can help lower the chances of someone targeting you. One of the greatest benefits of a security system is that it can help lower your homeowners insurance, since it helps prevent loss of property. Use a homeowners insurance calculator to determine how much you can save by getting a home security system.
Empty Boxes of Expensive Purchases
After setting up your massive new TV, you probably just want to sit down and watch it. The last thing you want to think about is disposing of the box; so you just throw it on the curb and hope garbage day is soon. The problem with this strategy is that burglars are going to see that you just bought a big, expensive new item. And if you have one expensive thing, you’re more likely to have others. Make sure you break down boxes when you put them out to the curb. Otherwise, you are just inviting criminals to rob you.
Lock Your Doors and Windows
This might seem obvious; but it can’t be restated too many times. It’s crucial that you keep the doors and windows of your home locked at all times. It doesn’t matter if you’re just running out for a quick errand, or even if you’re home—burglars are experts in taking advantage of any opening. Many robberies happen with people still in the home, and don’t even realized that anything is amiss until the burglar is long gone. Don’t take the unnecessary chance. Just lock your doors.
Burglars are opportunists. They seek out the most vulnerable homes, and find ways to get in them. Follow these steps to make your home unappealing to professional criminals.