The case of a Russian robber that ended up as a pleasure slave for 3 days is probably pretty famous by now. However, there really is nothing funny about break-ins. Since our homes are the places where we are the most vulnerable, because they are the places where we feel safe and let our guards down, a break-in feels like a violation of privacy. And not a single person in this world has the right to violate someone else’s privacy, or at least that’s how it should be.
Therefore, it’s completely understandable that people are in constant search of ways they can make their properties more safe and secure. To find out how you can improve your home’s security, please read on.
Secure your sliding doors and windows
Sliding doors and windows are probably any home’s weakest points, so making sure they can be locked properly is of the utmost importance. Now, according to the FBI, the burglaries of residential properties make for as much as 73.9% of all burglary offences, and almost 30% of them were unlawful entries, meaning that the burglar found an open or unlocked window or door and let themselves in without breaking an entry. Therefore, securing these should be your priority. You can install stops on both your sliding doors and windows, but you should show all the residents how to remove them in case of an emergency.
Make sure your front door is impenetrable
Aside from choosing the best-quality front door with an elaborate locking mechanism, you should also call in an expert to inspect your lock and see if there’s any room for improvement. For example, in Australia, the most common methods used to break into a home were as follows:
- Through an unlocked door/window
- By breaking doors/windows
- By breaking or picking a lock
Therefore, it’s no wonder that many people decide to contact a trusty locksmith from Sydney to inspect their locks and see how they can be reinforced.
Install a security system
Having a good security system in place can significantly reduce the chances of your home being on a burglar’s radar. When burglars were asked in a survey to state the factors that were most likely to deter them from breaking in, a good security system got the second place (49.1%). Here, you can opt for a single solution – like an alarm system, or you can combine several of them for the maximum results. There are even some companies that are working on developing a security drone that can be programmed to inspect your house both from the outside and the inside, and send you feedback on your smartphone as soon as they notice any unusual activity. These will not only allow you to constantly be in the loop regarding things happening in and around your home, but they will also allow you to avoid any unwanted visits from neighbors and relatives by alerting you whenever someone who is not a resident approaches your home.
Become friendly with your neighbors
Sometimes a sacrifice must be made for the greater good. Jokes aside, becoming friendly with your neighbors can be invaluable when the safety of your home is concerned. Imagine a scenario – you’re on a vacation, enjoying the sun and the sea, and you suddenly get a call that your house was broken into. Vacation ruined in 0.3 seconds. However, if you foster good neighboring relations, you can ask your neighbors to drop by your house from time to time and keep an eye on it until you come back. That way, they can react as soon as they notice anything weird going on. Of course, you’ll be expected to return the favor.
So, the secret to keeping your home safe from break-ins lies in trying to think like a burglar yourself, and then taking care of all your home’s “weak points”. Therefore, do some research and try to identify the most common points of entry in case of a break-in and see to it that you take care of them first. After that, install a good security system, or systems, and finally, rely on your neighbors to keep the intruders at bay.
