How to Increase Your Home Security

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Think like a burglar.

   Pretend to be a burglar yourself, and try to think of ways to break into your own home.
   
   Study your home and observe any weaknesses in its security.
2. 2

   Step 2: Lock your doors.

   Even if you may have grown up in a place where it was okay to leave your door unlocked, the world is different now.
   
   Many robbers only enter homes when they find a door is unlocked. , Ground level windows and sliding doors are easy to open from the outside.
   
   A slightly more motivated thief will check. , Never leave the balcony door unlocked at night or when going out.
   
   Balconies could provide easy access to burglars. , Garage doors provide access into your home, so treat them as any other door; make sure they are locked properly, as well as the door that leads from the garage room into your house. , When moving into a new residence, change all locks as you never know who has a copy of your key. , When you go out, leave a light on in any room in the house or invest in a light timer to automatically turn on lights at whatever time you want.
   
   Let the thief hesitate about breaking in. , For example: "Hi delivery company, I won't be home all day just leave my packages on the back porch." To a robber, that says, "Hi robber, I'm not home for the day so you can rob my house." Not only will a thief look on your porch, he'll also know definitively that you won't be home for the day. , Keep drapes closed in rooms with expensive equipment that could give burglars a peek into your home. , If you see a strange car driving through the neighborhood several times a day, report it! If someone is sitting in their car parked on your street for a long time, report it! A moving van at your neighbors house with no for sale sign, report it! , It is harder for a thief to break in if there are lights placed at entry points to your house. , If a burglar managed to break into your house, an alarm system could deter him from proceeding. , Someone else might have picked it up. ,, A dog bark can serve as a warning and attract attention, something burglars try to avoid. , It is not recommended to leave a spare key left anywhere around your home, especially in obvious places such as under the welcome mat. , Especially if your home is located in a bad area.
   
   These will prevent burglars from breaking in through the windows. , A safe can help protect not only valuables but also important paperwork, cheque books, bank statements and financial records. , Well-lit entrances are an effective deterrent.
3. 3

   Step 3: Lock the windows.

4. 4

   Step 4: Lock the balcony door.

5. 5

   Step 5: Lock garage doors.

6. 6

   Step 6: New home

7. 7

   Step 7: new locks.

8. 8

   Step 8: Leave the lights

9. 9

   Step 9: and stereo on.

10. 10

    Step 10: Don't leave notes on the door.

11. 11

    Step 11: Close drapes.

12. 12

    Step 12: Report strange things to the police.

13. 13

    Step 13: Install security lighting to your yard.

14. 14

    Step 14: Get an alarm system.

15. 15

    Step 15: Change your lock if you ever lose your key.

16. 16

    Step 16: Make sure your hedges are trimmed below the level of the window sill.

17. 17

    Step 17: Get a dog.

18. 18

    Step 18: Never leave a spare key.

19. 19

    Step 19: Get safety bars on windows.

20. 20

    Step 20: Get a safe.

21. 21

    Step 21: Use good exterior lighting to ward off potential robbers.

Detailed Guide

About the Author