Unfortunately, there is a significant minority of people out there who will jump at any chance to take possessions from your home. If criminals smell weakness, they will take advantage of it.
Your goal, therefore, should be to protect your home against the risk of burglary and theft. If you can put the right strategies in place, people are far less likely to steal from you.
But what should you be doing, exactly? Well, you’re about to find out. Here are some helpful tips to keep your home secure that thieves don’t want you to know about.
Frost Your Garage Door Windows
Ideally, garage doors should be entirely opaque. There should be no indication whatsoever of what is on the other side.
Most modern garage doors have sophisticated locking mechanisms. However, because of the shape and size of the door, criminals are sometimes successful in prying it open. They’re often able to get substantial leverage. Family Christian Doors has a great selection of the finest quality garage doors to choose from and offers exceptional services.
However, if you have a windowed garage door design, then you could be in trouble. Thieves could peer in first, check whether there is anything worth stealing and then make their move.
To prevent this, frost your windows. You can do this by cutting window frosted films to size and then placing them over your windows. You can also cut out pieces of cardboard and stick them to the inside of the windows for total blackout.
Replace Rotting Window Frames
Thieves know that rotting window frames are an easy target. Damaged wood is easy to force open and pry entry.
If you have any wood rot, get it treated and then paint over it so that weaknesses aren’t visible from outside. Similarly, if you think that the windows are structurally compromised, replace them with something more robust. You can look for materials such as UPVC or aluminum – both great for deterring thieves.
You can explore various window framing materials, for which you can do a web search or consult a local dealer near your location. For instance, you can look for aluminium windows and aluminium doors suppliers doorwins, or into another company to learn about other available options as well.
Install Long Screws Into Your Front Door
Front door screws can sometimes be a little shorter than you need. To see how long they are, put an electric screwdriver into reverse and then remove a test screw from your door. Ideally, it should be three inches or longer. If it’s not that long, then there is a higher chance that thieves could force your front door.
Depending on the type of hinges you have on your front door, you’ll need up to eight screws. They should go past the frame of the door and fit into studs in the brickwork for enhanced security.
Install Security Hinge Pins
Even if your front door looks impenetrable, it might not be, particularly if the door has the hinges on the outside (that is, it opens inwards). In this situation, it’s a good idea to install security hinge pins. These are available from most hardware stores and makes it almost impossible for criminals to compromise the hinge as a method for getting through the door.
Clamp Your Garage Door Shut
Most modern garage doors have sophisticated locking mechanisms. However, because of the shape and size of the door, criminals are sometimes successful in prying it open. They’re often able to get substantial leverage.
To prevent this from happening, place a C-clamp between the door and the roller. C-clamps provide extra security to prevent prying and keep the door locked down.
Mark Your Valuables With UV Ink
While not a failsafe measure for keeping your possessions safe, marking them with a UV pen can help a great deal. When possessions are stolen, other people can identify them as yours by shining a UV light on them. They may even be able to track the original criminal who sold it to them.
Buy A Diversion Safe
Criminals know that people keep safes in their homes for their valuables. Therefore, it’s one of the first things they look for during a break-in.
For this reason, it’s helpful to keep a decoy safe in a conspicuous location. Criminals may mistakenly assume that it is the only safe in your home, grab it, and run.
To make it realistic, you might want to include the odd token item in your lockbox, but keep all your really valuable stuff in your other safe, preferably hidden away somewhere under the floorboards or behind the bathtub.
Shut All Windows After Contractors Visit
While most contractors are honest, hard working people, there’s a small minority who aren’t. These individuals may finish a job with you and then leave windows open, planning to return later and steal your possession.
Therefore, whenever contractors finish up for the day, make sure that they close all windows. If they don’t, do it yourself to prevent them from getting back inside, uninvited.
Get Neighbors To Park On Your Driveway When You’re Away
If you’re going away for a long time, it’s also a good idea to get neighbors to park on your driveway. This can be confusing for thieves sleuthing on your property to find out whether anyone is actually in.
The great thing about this option is that it’s free and people are usually more than happy to do it. There is usually someone who wants to use your driveway, particularly if they commute to work.
Get Someone To Collect Your Mail When You’re Away
Another giveaway that you’re on vacation is an overflowing mailbox. To avoid this, ask someone you know and trust to collect your mail when you are away. Then, when you return, go back and pick it up from them.
Make Sure That Your Front Door Has The Right Locking Mechanism
Front doors need special types of knocking mechanisms that protect against common types of forced entry. Deadbolts, or even patented mechanisms recommended by your local ProVia entry door dealer, are good options.
Other types of locks are much easier to force because they don’t go all the way into the door frame and have weak points that make them easy to circumvent. Hence, it would be a good idea to get the above-mentioned locks installed with the help of skilled locksmiths found at the likes of Your Alabaster Locksmith (you can find them on the Web by looking up Locksmith Alabaster).
Don’t Leave Any Notes On Your Front Door While You’re Away
Don’t leave any notes on your front door for any reason, even if it’s just a message for the maid. Notes indicate that you’re out of the house, giving thieves the opportunity to enter while you’re not there.
Turn Off Your Home Phone Ringer Before You Leave The House
Your phone ringer can be another sign that you’re not home. If the phone rings for more than 30 seconds and there’s no sign of an answer, criminals may take that as a sign that nobody is home and then use that as their opportunity to break and enter.
Also, double check your answerphone message. Don’t say things like “we’re not in the house at the moment, but please leave your message and we will get back to you,” as that’s a clear indication that you would answer if you were there.
Get Your Gardener To Maintain Your Landscaping While You’re Away
If you plan on being gone for a long time, it’s a good idea to get your gardener or landscaper to come in and maintain your lawn while you’re away. If it’s overgrown or full of weeds, thieves might take that as a sign that no one’s home. Also, if you have a smaller height fencing, you may consider replacing it with one that can keep intruders and thieves out of your property. For instance, you can look for board on board fence if you want to use materials like hardwood, vinyl, or composite. Moreover, this type of fencing can provide you lasting privacy with no gap between the boards.
Put Up Beware Of Dog Signs
Criminals will often stay away from a property if they believe the owner has a dog. It’s not just the risk of physical injury, but also the fact that dogs tend to make a lot of noise when they sense that something isn’t quite right.
Check For ID
Lastly, always check the ID of anyone who comes to the house. Professionals should have badges or other ways of identifying themselves so that it’s clear precisely who they are and their reasons for visiting.
Remember, burglars will often knock on the door once or twice before trying to break in to see if anyone’s home.