Heather Ainsley
news@greenepublishing.com
It's every homeowner's worst nightmare: you come home only to realize that there's been an intruder in your house! What do you do? Was there something you could have done to prevent it? What are some ways you can protect your home in the future?
In the case of a burglary, call 911. Never try to clear the house by yourself – follow instructions given by the dispatcher and wait for law enforcement to arrive.
The first thing to understand is the most simple: It is not your fault this happened. While this article will explore things you can do to help prevent a break in, it in no way suggests that a break in is your fault, or was caused by something you did or did not do. A criminal will act like a criminal, and criminals do bad things, like break into houses. The chances of your home being broken into is zero unless a criminal is near.
The best defense for your home is a quality alarm system. This can not only help deter a burglar, but can alert you and law enforcement in the event of an intrusion.
That being said, there are other things you can do to help keep your home safe. These things can make your home seem like more of a big hassle than a big haul when a thief is scoping out the neighborhood. Consider your home from the perspective of a criminal; what does the typical criminal want to do? The answer is “get in and get out,” without being caught, noticed or slowed down. Take a good look at your house – does your home look like an easy target?
Look at the fences, trees and bushes around your home. Do they hide your house from view from the street? While this extra privacy may make you feel comfortably hidden, it also can make a burglar feel comfortably well-hidden, too. While privacy features are important, it is also a good idea to trim back dense plants and tree branches so that neighbors will be able to see if someone unsavory is lurking where they shouldn't be. Along that same thought, telling a trusted neighbor or two when you are going out of town can help alert them to any suspicious vehicles that show up in a driveway that should be empty.
Everyone likes natural lighting from time to time, but close your blinds! Leaving curtains and blinds open all the time gives thieves a literal window of opportunity to scope out the inside of your house. And speaking of windows, make sure yours are shut and latched when you aren't around to keep an eye on them. Be mindful that some things can serve as beacons to someone with ill intent. Whenever you make a big purchase, like a television set or new furniture, those big, pesky boxes can showcase to everyone driving by that you've got brand new, expensive stuff just waiting to be grabbed. Consider breaking down your boxes until they fit in a trashcan with a lid, or take them directly to your local solid waste/recycling site.
Use both locks if you've got them. When closing your front door, lock the doorknob and the dead bolt. If you only have one lock on your front door, consider getting a second; most burglars are looking for easy entry. One lock to break or pick is half the work of two locks.
Beware of 'beware of dog' signs if you don't actually have a dog to protect your house. While it may seem like a good deterrent to advertise having a vicious guard dog (or other pet), try to avoid advertising that you live with an animal. Some burglars may be wary of a house that has a dog, especially one with a solid bark, but many burglars know that you won't have a sensor-alarm if you have pets roaming around your house, (or if you do have them, you probably won't be alarmed if they go off) and after a few peeks around, it will be pretty obvious if you have a dog or not. Also, advertising Fido may enable the criminal to plan ahead on the best way to get past him. Use your best discretion. If you want a sign that may be effective, 'smile, you're on camera,' might just do the trick.
Your house should be comfortable, but not for criminals. Some burglars are going to break in regardless of if you have made it hard for them. So make it painful and annoying for them, too. For fences that are hidden from view from the street and allow private access, barbed wire or an electric element can be quite a surprise for a criminal (be mindful of laws and regulations surrounding the use of barbed wire). Additionally, you can plant prickly or itchy bushes under windows, so if they do try to climb in through the windows, they have a difficult time of it. Holly bushes have leaves that harbor sharp points and are uncomfortable to try and squeeze past. Lantana can be itchy and a great home for wasps. Also consider lining your flower beds with gravel or pebble stones. These make noise and make it harder for someone to sneak around silently. Make sure the areas around your home are well lit and don't offer any secrecy.
Ultimately, a criminal is going to do what they are going to do. There's no fool-proof way to guarantee your home will never become a target. But there are plenty of ways you can make your home look as inconvenient as possible, which could make all the difference.