Keeping Your Property Safe From Intruders: A How-To Guide

This can be stressful for a homeowner who wants to make sure their property is safe from intruders. Let's take a look at some ways you can keep our home secure.

Keep your doors and windows locked when

You should do this whether you're at home or you're away. This seems like a no-brainer, but many people leave their doors unlocked while they are in their homes. It only takes a second for somebody to walk into your house if the door is unlocked.

Burglars will also try to "jimmy" your window or door lock to get it open. You can purchase inexpensive security locks for your doors, or better yet, put a dowel rod in your doorjamb to prevent the door from being opened.

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Install a security system for your home

Security systems come in all types and formulations and they could save you a lot of heartache by giving an alarm when someone enters your home, alerting police to check on your property if it's broken into while you're away. Ideally, your system should have cameras, like the ones seen here at https://www.jmcsecure.co.uk/, or similar setups you can see elsewhere. Companies that install the systems can be found online. The average cost of installation and monthly monitoring fees are between $30 and $100.

Such a system will also allow you to see who is at your door if you're not home so that you can decide if it's safe to let them in.

Get to know the neighbors

Being on good terms with the people you live next to could be a lifesaver. If you see a suspicious person or activity outside your home, it could be quickly reported to the police if the people you live near are on good terms with you. Make friends with your neighbors and ask them to help keep an eye out for any potential problems that may involve your property.

People who don't know their neighbors might be more likely to miss when something has happened to their property. This is why developing a good relationship with people you live near is so important because they can be your eyes and ears.

Shred documents before throwing them away

A common practice for thieves who want to get information about what's going on inside the home is to steal papers that may contain sensitive information, like bank statements and bills.

Before you cut them up and throw them away, make sure to shred the documents first. There are small hand-held devices you can buy that are specifically for this purpose, which makes it easier to take care of quickly.

Call the police if you see anything suspicious or unusual

If you see suspicious activity or person, call the police immediately and don't go near them. Give as much information as you can in order for the officers to be able to apprehend them, like race, age, anything that stands out about their appearance.

They might just turn out to be innocent kids but it's better to be safe than sorry, and it could help police track them down if they turn out to have done something wrong.

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Don't leave valuables in plain sight

If you have an expensive car, make sure to keep it locked up. This is important even if you think nobody would want to damage or steal your car. Many people who commit property crimes do so because they're desperate for money and they can be very creative about how they get access to your home. They are also more prone to commit crimes of opportunity, if you leave a valuable item in easy reach, they may try to take it.

Get a dog

They don't only make great companions, but dogs are excellent for discouraging burglars and other criminals. Dogs can be trained to bark when they see somebody who isn't supposed to be there, and if the criminal is scared away by a dog, it helps secure your home because nobody wants to tangle with an angry canine.

There are varieties of breeds you can select from that have different personalities, so spend some time thinking about what type of dog you want to get. Just because a breed might be intimidating looking, doesn't mean they are good guard dogs, particularly if people can easily scare them away by shouting at them. A much better option is to go for breeds with a calm and steady temperament who won't be easily frightened.

So now you know how to keep your property safe from intruders. Whether it's a little bit of knowledge or some new tools, we hope that our guide was helpful and informative for you. To ensure the safety of your home, make sure to invest in these best practices. Stay aware of who is around your property by using these tips so that they don't have an opportunity to steal what matters most.

Jessica Tanner

Update 30 June 2021