ChaCha Insurance Blog

It is always important to protect your home from theft. Many people, however, do not think much about burglary. In some areas, it seems safe to leave the doors unlocked at night. Yet theft is a problem even in the best of neighborhoods. According to the FBI, home burglaries in 2010 resulted in $4.6 million in lost property and $2,119 was the average dollar loss per burglary.

The cost of the property is no doubt significant but the emotional toll when your home’s security is compromised is even more significant. It is impossible to safeguard yourself completely from becoming a victim of burglary but there are ways to reduce the risk. Here are 8 tips to help minimize theft risks to many of your treasured assets and keep your home safe.

Walk around the exterior of your home and survey it with the eyes of a burglar. While checking for vulnerable spots like a window that could be pried open by a thief, you should also make a note of any expensive furniture, electronics or art that can be easily spotted through windows. You do not have to redecorate your entire house to keep your valuables out of sight but you can make small adjustments where you can. Curtains, shades or blinds are a small price to pay to increase the security of your home and prevent a burglary.

It pays to invest in strengthening doors and windows as damaged doors and loose or broken locks make an easy target for thieves. You should inspect your exterior doors and windows at least once a year to check if they close and lock properly. If a door or door hardware is damaged then it should be replaced or repaired immediately. Grills and shutters can help burglars breaking in through windows. Add enhanced locks to doors including deadbolts. You can improve your security with smart locks to track when the door opens.

This may seem obvious but the fact is that quite a few of us do not lock all windows and doors before we leave our home. You should lock your front door even if you are just in the backyard because thieves are known to slip in and take away things quickly. Even an open window is an invitation for burglars to easily enter your home. Some estimates suggest that 30 percent of the time burglars access the home through an open window and need just 10 minutes to complete the job. You must also not forget the door attached to the garage as it is one of the easiest targets and a likely route of entry. You should not depend on your automatic door for full security.

Maintain landscaping. Keep all hedges bushes, trees and shrubs well-trimmed especially if they are near doors and windows. There are two reasons for this: First, these make it easier for burglars to access your home without a neighbor seeing and secondly a maintained exterior is a psychological deterrent to a potential burglar. A thief knows you spend time caring for your home and therefore, you will be more likely to take steps to protect it. Also, trim any large tree branches near your doors and windows to discourage thieves with a knack of climbing.

For even more improved home security you should consider installing an alarm system. You should always make sure you set your home alarm when you leave the house. If you do not have one it might be worth considering as it offers peace of mind knowing your house is secure and also helps you to save on your home insurance premiums. You can qualify for a 5% discount or more depending on the type of system you get. It would be wise to shop around and find a system that fits your needs and budget as they are expensive. If you cannot find one that fits your budget a prominently displayed alarm or hidden camera sign can also discourage burglars.

Outdoor lighting is a key factor in home security. You should make sure the exterior lighting is sufficient and also consider installing lights in the shadows. These are good deterrents to keep prowlers away. Better yet, you can install motion sensor lights. They use less energy than fixtures and are more likely to scare off a would-be burglar when they click on.

When you are away from home on holiday or extended trips arrange for someone to collect your mail, newspapers and any deliveries you may receive. If you are going on a road trip ask your neighbor to park his or her car in your driveway. If your house looks occupied, burglars are less likely to make it a target as homes are prone to burglary when thieves believe the owners are on vacation. It is also a smart idea to leave a few lights on. You can also use timers on indoor lights and sensors on outdoor lights.

No doubt spare keys are a lifesaver if you are locked outside your house but you should not let a conveniently located spare key fall into a burglar’s hand. The first place the burglars will look are doormats, window and door ledges, fake rocks, grill, flower pots and the ash door on the chimney. Be creative when you are hiding your spare keys. You can also keep one in your car or leave one with the neighbor. Change your lock immediately if your spare key is mysteriously lost.

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