Normally people will ask themselves this question after a break-in because they believe it will never happen to them or the greatest myth ‘If they want to get in, they will’. This last quote may be true if the intruder knows you have something of worth to them inside. Usually, a potential intruder is just wandering the streets then they will pick a home that appears an easy target such as no alarm system or door or windows are open. Make your home the safest place for you and your family by making it difficult to break in. If it’s too difficult, intruders will simply move on. Avoid being a victim of crime.
Home break-ins happen all too often. Unfortunately, if you have been broken into, you are more likely to get broken into again. Burglars know some people don’t upgrade their security after the 1st burglary. Your home or business becomes an easy target again, especially after your insurance company has paid out and you have replaced your stolen belongings from the 1st burglary. Here are some steps to help prevent a break in or a repeat offence at your home or business.
Get to know your neighbours
The most effective way to prevent a burglary is to stop it before it starts. Getting to know your neighbours. 9 out of 10 times, they will make an effort to look out for you. Keeping an eye out for suspicious activity in the neighbourhood not only helps your neighbours but keeps your home safe as well too.
Secure the Exterior of your home or commercial property
Lock doors. Yes, even when you are home. A large number of burglaries occur because homeowners leave their doors and windows open. Lock all outside door and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if you are running down the street an to get some fast food and coming right back, still lock your doors (school pick-up) I know this may sound like common sense, but you wouldn’t believe how many robberies take place from people who planned on coming right back only to find their house robbed. So KEEP YOUR DOORS LOCKED at all times!
Locks are the weakest point on the door. Make sure you have a grade 1 or grade 2 dead-bolt lock that penetrates the door frame. It’s not necessary to get one at a specialty locksmith; these can be purchased at a big-box home store. The strike plate – the stationary piece that the bolt enters – must be heavy duty, made of solid metal or brass, with six three-inch-long screws that penetrate the door jamb and the door frame. Check out our door lock buying guide and read about the $10 part that will make your door lock safer. First-floor windows are an easy target. People think its upstairs, so an intruder won’t go to so much effort to enter. A large percentage of thieves come in right through the front door. Installing double key deadbolts, if thieves do break in, getting your stuff out is going to be really difficult unless they break the door down. With any luck, they will leave your gear behind. For the best deadbolt to install to meet your requirements, please read our article What is a Deadlock. Grilles and shutters prevent burglars from breaking in through windows and a peep hole, or lockable security screen can help keep burglars out or hopefully even deter them.
Access doors
So you’re probably not going to be able to install new doors by yourself. But you can inspect your front, side and back doors. Replace hollow doors with solid-core (made of wood or metal) or metal-clad doors.
Sliding-glass doors have a latch too close them but are often an easy point of entry for burglars. To make one more secure, place a wood dowel cut to size or an adjustable safety bar in the interior floor track or consider adding a floor bolt.
Electric garage doors are not a common point of entry – as long as they are closed. “How many garage doors do you see up when you are driving down the streets?’ Most of the inner doors from these open garages are usually unlocked. Homeowners need to treat all the doors like the front door and close it.
Check windows
Are the window locks operable? If not, get them fixed or replace them. Also consider installing aftermarket window locks, which let you open the window a few inches while still keeping it secure. Another alternative is to use inexpensive window-break alarms. Check our home window buying guide.
Invest in an Alarm system
Only works if an intruder enters your property. The alarm is activated and will shorten the time an intruder is inside your property. Less will be stolen. Best to deter an intruder with a combination of points made in this article. The white box with the blue light placed outside the home will help to deter potential intruders. An alarm system is an added deterrent. Use your alarm system all the time, even when you take a quick trip to the store or visit next door neighbours. Excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. Gronbek Security has one to meet your needs.
Invest in a wireless home security system
With a wireless home security system, burglars are unable to disarm the system from outside the house by cutting the phone line because there aren’t any cables. And the alarm system won’t be affected or disabled when any storm outages or power outages occur because it’s wireless. Wireless home security alarms provide peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on holidays.
Make your property look occupied and difficult to break into
Don’t give a potential intruder any reason to think your home or business is an easy target. I.e. someone to collect mail or if you are away for an extended period of time, ensure your lawns are mowed.
Leave a few lights on when you go
If you’re going away for a weekend or on a holiday, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day. As you know, most robberies take place in the evenings or the middle of the night.
Light up the Outdoors
If you don’t have them already, buy and install outdoor lighting with infrared motion sensors and install one near each point of entry. Replace any burned-out light bulbs and put your porch lights on timers. Find the best bulbs for outdoor uses. Having good exterior lighting on a timer helps, but the best thing is a motion sensor floodlight. When a motion light kicks on, it says “Hey, something’s going on over here. Motion-sensitive light is recommended. Ensure clear line of sight to your house from the street. Cur back trees and bushes that obscure your front door, look into installing movement sensor lights and report broken street lights straight away.
Install timers
When you leave for work or appointments or go on vacation, you can create a “someone’s at home” look using timers on lights and TVs. No surprise, there are lots of gadgets available. Fake TV, for instance, simulates the flickering lights of a television, and outside, it appears that someone is watching TV. If you’re going away for a week, don’t tell people on your answering machine or via your social media accounts. Simple, inexpensive ways to turn potential intruders off.
Don’t ever allow your mailbox to get too full
Because then people will know you are away and your house will be subject for robbery. So if you plan on being away for a while, arrange with the post office to hold your mail, or have a neighbour or friend to come by and check your mail regularly while you’re gone.
Do a yearly or monthly check on the locks around your house/business
You may find that you need to replace the locks on the windows with more secure devices. Check with your local locksmith for alternative solutions. Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open so you may want to install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
Keep your valuables out of site
Lawn movers, grills, and bikes all need to be in the backyard or a car garage. And if you don’t have a car garage, never keep valuables inside your car because that’s an easy steal for a robber.
Remove the ‘hidden’ house key
The key under the mat, inside the mailbox, beneath a rock – everybody hides a house key. The problem is, burglars know your hiding places. Instead, give it to a trusted neighbour.
Place keys and garage-door remotes in a smart spot
Don’t leave car and house keys and remotes near the door or otherwise visible inside your house. Secure them inside a cabinet or a drawer to keep them hidden. Don’t leave them in the car if stolen…….
Add foreboding signs
Post window stickers near all entryways – whether you have a security system or not. Stickers can be purchased individually from Gronbek Security or are supplied free with all alarm systems purchased through Gronbek Security. Do not place security stickers up that show the ‘brand’ of your security system. This could provide enough information on how to disable it. Get a generic sticker. We could also install “Beware of the dog” sign even if you don’t have a dog – great deterrent. However, never leave “Gone shopping” notes on doors.
Lock Up the Ladder
Don’t store a ladder outside. A burglar, perhaps posing as a handyman or contractor, could use it to gain access to a second-floor window or balcony. Also possible use it to jump the fence to access the rear of the property.
Garages and garden sheds are often targets for burglars who can then use your tools or ladders to gain access to the main house. Even the wheelie bins have been used to smash windows. An automatic light, for instance, fitted to the shed or garage can be a useful deterrent, along with keyed locks.
Secure air conditioning units
Unsecured window air conditioners could provide an easy entry point for a crook. Use an air conditioner bracket, sliding window lock, or corner braces.
Eliminate hiding spots
If your shrubbery is too tall, bushy, or not well spaced, you’re providing a nice hiding spot for a potential burglar. Trim and prune plantings. Make it difficult for someone to conceal themselves while breaking in. Avoid tall/thick shrubs around your windows and doors. Avoid privacy fences.
Don’t advertise your belongings – Avoid having stuff expensive stuff in plain sight
- If you have an expensive car, lock it up in the garage
- If you have nice stuff in your house, keep your blinds closed/install sheer curtains (let in light but block the view)
- If you just bought a flatscreen TV, trash and conceal the box
- Make sure valuables are hidden from passer-bys
- Keep money out of site
- Avoid leaving your garage remote in a car outside your house. Stolen garage door openers from a car can be used to burgle your home at a later date.
Making an inventory of belongings to have on hand in case of a break-in is recommended. Engraving is offered free by some local councils. Take photos of precious possessions and store in a safe place. This will assist your insurance company.
Store valuables in a safe
Money and jewellery are most often stolen in break-ins. Installing a small safe in your home is a relatively low-cost way to protect those items. Protect any ‘heirlooms’ or irreplaceable items. Not all safes are the same. If you are considering a safe, please read our article How to Choose the Right Safe for Me. Remember the goal isn’t to make your house completely break-in proof. It is simply to make your house a less attractive target than the other houses in your neighbourhood.
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