Most people aren’t out there plotting elaborate schemes to break into houses. Burglary charges are serious, and the average criminal isn’t willing to risk their entire future over your TV. But that doesn’t mean break-ins don’t happen. The truth is that most burglaries occur when someone sees an easy opportunity and takes it. And that’s exactly why you have the ability to prevent your home from becoming a target.
You don’t have to turn your whole property into a fortress, but you do need to make it annoying enough that a lazy opportunist won’t think it’s worth the effort.
Here are nine things you can do right now to secure your home against break-ins.
1. Reinforce your doors
If your front door looks weak, worn, or easy to kick in, that’s an invitation for a burglar. In fact, 34% of break-ins happen through a home’s front door. The easiest way to deter would-be burglars is to upgrade your front and back doors to solid core or metal doors. Hollow doors are common and less expensive, but they’re easy to break through. A door that looks solid or is made of metal is an immediate signal that your home won’t be an easy target.
2. Install a deadbolt lock
A basic doorknob lock isn’t enough. You need a high-quality deadbolt to add real resistance and buy yourself time in case someone starts to break into your home. Most burglars are looking to get in and out fast, and even a few extra seconds of struggle can be enough to make them give up.
3. Reinforce the door frame and strike plate
Your door frame matters just as much as your locks. Reinforced strike plates with long screws (at least three inches) can dramatically increase your door’s resistance to forced entry. Without a strong plate and long screws, even a great lock can fail.
4. Secure your sliding doors
Sliding glass doors are easy to get through. Adding a simple security bar or rod in the track makes it much harder to force open. It’s cheap, and depending on the size of the track, you might already have something lying around that fits.
5. Avoid window air conditioning units
If you have an air conditioning unit in a window, that can be an easy entry point for a burglar if it’s not secured properly. These air conditioning units are safer to use on second floors but should be avoided on the ground floor if possible.
6. Use lighting to remove hiding spots
Burglars love darkness. If someone can go right up to your home without being seen, they’re not going to hesitate. Having good lighting increases security by making your property visible even from the street.
Motion-activated lights are essential. The sudden light will draw attention to and startle anyone prowling around. However, you should also have lights that remain on at all times. These lights should cover your front door, back door, and garage. Just make sure to keep your lights free from plant overgrowth so they remain bright and fully functional.
7. Install a visible security system
Having a video security system is critical, but you want to make sure it’s visible. According to a 2013 UNC Charlotte study, 60% of convicted burglars said they would abandon a target if they noticed an alarm system, and cameras and signs are effective deterrents.
The easiest solution is to install a smart doorbell surveillance system so you can be alerted when someone is on your porch. Through the app, you can even speak to the person on your porch and scare off a burglar. If you don’t have a video security system or can’t afford one, invest in a couple of fake cameras and make them look real by running a wire from the camera through the wall. You can also glue the wire to the wall.
8. Keep valuables out of sight
Avoid leaving valuables in a room where they can be seen by someone looking through the window. It might be an inconvenience if you don’t want to close your drapes or blinds when you leave or go to bed, but keeping valuables out of sight is always a good idea.
9. Have someone pick up your mail when you travel
Don’t let your mail pile up in your box or on your porch. That’s a green light for burglars. Arrange for a friend or neighbor to collect your mail for you when you travel or if you’ll be gone more than a few days.
Make burglars pass on your home
Most burglars are looking for an easy win, and you can deter most of them by making your home look like more trouble than it’s worth. Even basic layers of security – like a solid front door and stronger locks – can make would-be burglars pass.
