You don’t have to spend a fortune installing expensive security alarm systems as there are a few cheaper options that can be done to improve your home security. By not addressing your security in the home you are at risk of an intruder break-in and losing all that you have worked so hard to achieve. Don’t leave it to chance and take the gamble that it wont happen to you and your family. So many people wait until they are broken into before they look at ways to improve their home security. Take home security seriously and don’t leave your house wide open for a burglar to gain access and steal your belongings.
Give the illusion that someone is at home. This can be done with you interior lighting using timers to switch the lights on and off at a scheduled interval. There are different types of timer switch – some which plug straight into your wall mains socket in which your lighting/lamp will then plug into and others which plug directly into your ceiling lighting. Your room light bulb then plugs into the timer device. This is a very inexpensive first step to improving your home security.
Next, look at your windows and doors. Have a good look at all of them and ask yourself how easy it would be for you to get through them if you had lost your door key? If you can easily devise a method of penetrating your doors or windows with the minimum of effort then so could a burglar. They are experts and probably know more ways than you of breaking into your house. Firstly, if you have wooden doors or windows that are rotting or are badly in need of repair then you need to replace them. Consider installing additional locks on your windows which can be applied when closed and catches that won’t allow them to be opened more than a few inches. Ideally deadbolt door locks should be fitted to all of your exterior doors to make it extremely difficult for the intruder to break in. Also, don’t forget to close all windows and doors when going out. It’s surprising how many people forget to do this and leave an open invitation to the burglar.
Another inexpensive installation that can be done to improve your home security is to fit exterior security lighting to your yard or garden. A burglar wants to break into a property without being seen. They typically go for unlit exteriors so installing a outside security lamp will defiantly put them off entering onto your land. Purchase a security light with PIR motion detection capability – these are not expensive and will switch the lamp on if movement is detected in the range of the sensor. They also act as a handy welcome home light when you return back to your property at night.
Make sure sheds and outbuildings are securely locked. Again, if you could break into them so could a burglar. Sheds contain some of the most useful items to aid a burglar breaking into a house. You will no doubt have various tools, garden implements, ladders etc… which are all useful for the burglar. Burglar’s travel light so they are on the look out for implements within your property to help them break in.
Take a look at your garden and if there are any overgrown trees, shrubs or bushes that would aid a burglar gaining access to your property then cut them right back. Plant prickly, thorny bushes under windows so to put the intruder off getting close to your windows. Put gravel around your property so you can hear if anyone is walking around your home.