A few years ago, I came home to a swarm of police cars and officers roaming my neighborhood. As it turned out, my next door neighbor had fallen victim to burglary and the police were searching for clues to help them apprehend the subject.

More than just shook up, my neighbor felt violated after having his home turned upside down and some of his most coveted possessions being stolen by thieves. In total, the crooks made off with over $5,000 worth of electronics, jewelry and art–some of which were family heirlooms that had far more sentimental value than monetary. It was a sad day in our normally safe neighborhood that I’m sure few of us will forget.

Home Burglaries Occur More than You Think

As one of your largest investments of time and money, your home is more than an asset that you want to protect–it’s where your family lives and where some of the best memories of your life are made.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, American homes fall victim to burglars at an alarming rate of one every 15 minutes or so. With the average cost of damage and theft being no less than $2,000, it’s understandable why so many people turn to home security systems for protection.

Technology is on Your Side

Gone are the days of wired systems that require constant monitoring by a human being. Today, the trend in home security systems is wireless and remote. Including everything from systems that run via your TV cable subscription to apps on your Smartphone, there are many options to customize the type of system that works best for your needs.

One such option is the SimpliSafe Burglar Alarm system that encompasses an easy Do-it-Yourself installation and constant access through a convenient phone app. From burglaries and their subsequent damage to fire and flood, the SimpliSafe system even offers SMS text message alerts so you’ll be able to stay on top of your home’s security no matter where in the world you happen to be.

DIY Enhancements for Your Home Security System

In addition to your security system, there are other ways to help protect your home from burglars. The best part is that these options are cheap, easy, and can be done in a matter of hours on the weekend.

From trimming the hedges around your house (doing so prevents thieves from hiding behind them while they attempt to break into your house) to installing automatic dimmers to turn on lights while you’re not home (most thieves target homes that are vacant), there are a variety of ways to boost the safety and security of your home.

Other Considerations for How to Protect Your Home from Burglars

There are also certain behaviors and ways of living that can help you protect your home from burglars. With a few simple tweaks to your daily habits and routines, you can boost the likelihood that your home will remain safe and sound even when you’re not home.

Some of these include:

• When you move into a new home, change every lock
• Always lock your doors & windows even if you’ll be gone for a few minutes
• Make sure some lights are on while you’re not home
• If you lose your keys, change all locks immediately
• Fix faulty alarm systems immediately
• Don’t leave spare keys near the door or in other conspicuous places
• Don’t leave notes for delivery drivers, guests, etc.
• Make sure all entrances are adequately lit
• Do thorough background/character checks on anyone who will be entering your home regularly (cleaners, etc)
• Consider adopting a dog as they are excellent burglar deterrents

 

How do you protect your home from Burglars?