Home burglaries can occur in any neighborhood. Many homeowners underestimate their risk or inadvertently make their houses easy targets. There are several simple habits you can establish that can make your home less likely to be burglarized.
Secure Doors and Windows
Locking your doors and windows may seem obvious, but many people get careless or develop a false sense of security. Thieves often enter a house through an unsecured door. If you are going to leave your house, even for a short time, lock the doors. It’s also a good idea to keep the doors locked when you are home so someone can’t barge in and catch you off guard. Always secure patio doors and keep your garage door closed unless someone is going in or out.
First-floor windows are other frequent entry points for burglars. Keep windows locked, especially if you are planning to go out. Windows that you open should have screens to keep someone from slipping inside. If your home has a window or door leading from the garage or porch to the rest of the house, always keep it locked.
Don’t Make Your Home a Target
Don’t advertise valuables inside your house to potential thieves. If someone walking or driving down the street could see your TV or stereo through a window, use blinds to block the view.
If you are planning to go away on vacation, don’t make it obvious. Have the post office hold your mail or have a neighbor pick it up daily. Use a timer to automatically turn lights on in the evening and off in the morning. Set it for a random pattern so it will seem that people are home. If you will be away for an extended period of time, have someone take care of your lawn and remove snow so it won’t be apparent that the house is unoccupied. Don’t talk about a trip on social media until you have returned.
Call a Locksmith
If you recently moved into a new home, have the locks changed or rekeyed by a professional locksmith. You never know who might still have a key for an existing lock. If you lose your keys along with your identification, have the locks changed or rekeyed immediately.
If your doors don’t currently have deadbolt or high-security locks, All American Locksmiths can install them to keep your home secure. We can inspect your current locks and recommend any other changes that could improve security. One of our locksmiths can also change or rekey the locks if you have any concerns about safety.
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