Burglaries and home invasions are a primary fear for any homeowner. Your home should be a place of peace and comfort, and no one likes to think of their neighborhood as unsafe. But of the 2.5 million burglaries that occur in the United States, 66% are home invasions. Luckily, there are important steps you can take to learn how to prevent home invasion.
In general, if your home is clearly secured and well protected most burglars will likely bypass the home for an easier target. Especially if you’ve invested in a home security system (more on that later!). But it never hurts to over prepare. Check out our round up of tips to prevent home invasion and make your home as safe as possible.
1. Secure Your Doors
Since doors are the primary entrance points for burglars, it makes sense to invest in the proper protection. And consider doorways beyond just your front door. Garage doors are often the easiest to breach, followed by the back door simply because they may be less monitored in general. Once hidden from view a burglar has more breaking-and-entering options available to them. Some general reminders to consider:
- Replace rotted door frames so thieves cannot pry the door off its hinges. Use heavy-duty strike plates with 3-inch screws into wooden door frames.
- All entrance doors should have a solid core (preferably metal).
- Use heavy-duty, quality deadbolt locks with a knob-in-lock set and dead-latch mechanism.
- Prevent fraudulent entry by installing door chains and wide-angle peepholes mounted no higher than 58 inches off the ground.
2. Watch Your Windows
Of course, doors are not the only entry option for burglars. Since windows can also provide easy access for an intruder, it is essential that you take the proper measures to secure them. Particular attention must be paid to ground floor windows and windows visible at street level. Even upper floor windows can present a threat to your home, especially if they can be accessed from a stairway, tree, fence or by climbing on balconies. The following are some general recommendations to better secure your windows:
- Use blocking devices to prevent an intruder from being able to slide a window open from the outside.
- Block the window open no more than six inches and make sure you can’t reach in from the outside and remove the blocking device, or reach through and unlock the window.
- In sleeping rooms, any window blocking devices should be capable of being removed easily from the inside to comply with fire codes.
- Use anti-lift devices to prevent intruders from lifting your windows up vertically.
3. Lights, Camera, (No) Action!
Luckily, as technology has advanced, there are new ways to integrate exciting new features to your home. Simply put, home automation has changed the game. With amazing features like smart lights and door cameras, you not only add an incredible degree of convenience to your home, you also provide an extra layer of safety. With lights that you can set schedules to, your home appears occupied no matter where you actually are. Plus all that light eliminates any potential opportunities for burglars to hide.
Cameras are a little more obvious in their benefit to home invasion prevention, but that’s a good thing! In many cases, a door camera can ward off a potential burglar before a crime ever occurs. And if it does happen, there’s video evidence to provide evidence in the event you need to recoup the value of anything lost.
4. Lock It Up
Another upgrade to consider adding to your front doors is a brand new electronic smart-lock. Electronic locks for your front door are more secure and reliable than traditional keyed deadbolt locks. Additionally, they provide an abundance of other benefits like:
- Coded keypads for safe, secure, and convenient keyless entrance for you and your family.
- Control (and monitor) your locks from anywhere through a single app.
- You can also assign unique and temporary codes for guests and workers when needed.
Smart-locks have better durability than traditional locks that wear and tear from constant key use. Plus, keypad locks do not use traditional locking mechanisms, which adds to their overall security. Without the mechanical key and tumbler system, keyless systems are unable to be picked or bumped like a traditional lock. This gives your home an added layer of security and protection from potential intruders.
5. Monitored Alarm Systems
At the end of the day, one of the best ways to secure and protect your home is to invest in a quality security system. But alarm systems are at their most effective as a deterrent to burglars when used properly, and when properly maintained. Get the most out of your home security system:
- Keep your yard sign visible and put alarm company decals in your windows and doors.
- Do not write your alarm code anywhere near your keypad or entry way.
- Be sure to update your alarm company and central monitoring station with any pertinent information including your response call list.
- Test your alarm regularly to ensure all access to your property is protected.
For More Security and Home Automation Tips and Solutions, Stick with ACS Security
It’s impossible to be 100% safe in anything, but with the right precautions and proper maintenance of your SmartHome security features, you can position your home and family to be as safe and protected as possible.
And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at ACS Security. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.