Home burglaries are an unfortunate risk every homeowner faces. In Mississippi alone there are around 24,995 burglaries each year. If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve invested a great deal into your home. Not only have you likely saved for years in order to purchase it, but you’ve built a life there. Everything you own and love is inside those for walls. So how do you keep it safe? Here are five things you can do during your next home renovation that can minimize your risk of becoming a burglary victim.
Motion Sensors
Motion-activated lights are an inexpensive but effective deterrent for most would-be burglars. Imagine coming up to a house, intent on breaking in, only to find yourself in the middle of a floodlight. You’d probably run away very quickly, and it’s unlikely you’d want to return to that house to try again. Motion sensor lights are a great way to deter burglars on a budget.
Security Systems
There are many security systems to choose from, any of which will provide you more protection than having nothing at all. Security systems can be as basic as an alarm that sounds when people try to open a door or window. They can also be as complex as those that have the ability to sync with your phone, allowing you to see who’s at the door and speak to them, even if you’re not in the house.
Security systems offer more than peace of mind. Statistics show that homes with security systems are far less likely to be broken into. That’s because burglars will usually do a “test run” first to determine whether or not a target home has a security system. If it does, they usually move on. However, even with those statistics at play, only 17 percent of homes in America have a security system installed.
Don’t become a statistic. Invest in a home security system the next time you renovate.
Homeowner’s Insurance
In the event that your home is vandalized or broken into, it’s important that you have home insurance. Obtaining homeowner’s insurance is a critical step that you can take to help safeguard the value of your home and its contents. In 2015, just in Mississippi, homeowners lost over $2.5 million due to home burglaries alone. Obtaining a policy is imperative. Different policies cover different types of damages, so be sure to consult with an insurance professional in your state to help you choose the package that’s right for you.
Make it Difficult
Police departments across the United States routinely warn their communities to make burglaries difficult for would-be robbers. In other words, don’t leave high-value items out in the open, keep your doors and windows locked, and make it difficult for burglars to reach your roof and backyard. Stand outside your home and think like a burglar. What would you look for? What would make it easy? Is there a planter in front of your gate that would make it easy for a burglar to hop the fence? Put something there or in front of it so it’s more difficult to get to. Making it more difficult to break in will often be enough to deter potential burglars.
Look Occupied
Make sure your home looks occupied at all times. If you’re going away for an extended period of time, don’t let mail pile up outside. Arrange for the post office to hold it. Ask someone to house sit for you so there’s always someone coming and going. Another option is to install “smart home” software so you can turn your lights on and off from your mobile device. Even while you’re on vacation you can turn your lights on and off so potential burglars think someone is there. If burglars are scouting your home and see lights going on and off, they’re unlikely to break in.
Always make sure to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in your neighborhood. If you see anything out place, call the police and make a report. Keep valuable items stored out of sight, make sure your home is difficult to break into, and always have a homeowner’s insurance policy in effect just in case the unthinkable becomes an unfortunate reality.