How Your Homes Structure Can Prevent Break-Ins
Home invasions and break-ins have been in steady decline over the last few decades, but they are still common throughout the United States. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can discourage would-be burglars from breaking into your home. Some of these things merely involve staying vigilant and locking your doors at night or when you’re not home, but there are other things that you can do with your home’s structure that can also deter break-ins. Here are some tips that will help with that.
Turn On Your Lights
The crime of ‘home invasion’ is a serious one that can carry a maximum of 20 years in prison in Michigan alone, so burglars aren’t going to try to break in anywhere if they think they’re going to get caught. This means that they’re going to choose dark homes with plenty of shadowy areas where they can hide. This also means that you can deter these would-be invaders by installing bright lighting on the outside of your home and turning on a few lamps near your windows if you’re not going to be home at night. Installing a motion detector that will turn on your outside lights when there is movement can also help deter break-ins.
Keep Your Windows Covered
The last thing you want is for someone to be able to see into your home at night or when you’re not around. To keep this from happening, invest in some good window coverings, preferably blackout curtains or blinds that prevent anyone from looking into your home. If you want some long-lasting and affordable window coverings that will keep your home safe, consider aluminum blinds. Aluminum blinds require very little maintenance, and they are available in practically any size, so you should have no problems finding some that fit your windows and match your decor.
Keep Valuables Out of Sight
Even though you should cover your windows at night and when you’re not home, you should still be careful about what you have on display in your home. If you have expensive-looking furniture or electronics that can be seen through your front windows, your home will look much more attractive to burglars who happen to see into your home. Consider rearranging your living room to keep your expensive TV or your sofa out of sight from your front yard.
Check Your Doors and Windows
Sometimes just having sturdy doors and windows with secure locks is enough to deter break-ins. If you live in an older home and your windows and doors aren’t as sturdy as they used to be, consider having them replaced or reinforced. Invest in new locks, doorknobs, and latches if you think what you already have isn’t secure enough. Also, don’t be afraid to buy solid metal frames or locks either, even though they might be more expensive. According to the U.S. Economics and Statistics Administration, just 8 states in the U.S. are responsible for 52% of the total output of fabricated metal products. These same states are also responsible for 47% of total U.S. manufacturing each year. So yes, solid steel deadbolts, locks, and even solid security doors are more plentiful and easier to come by than you might think.
Stay Vigilant
Finally, remember to always stay vigilant when it comes to keeping your home secure. Having solid doors, blackout window coverings, and bright lighting will help keep you safe, but that doesn’t mean anything if you forget to lock your doors at night or if you tell everyone on social media that you’re going to be out of town for a week. Stay alert, and never let too many people know that your home is empty for too long. That sounds like common sense, but it could be what prevents you from becoming a victim of a home invasion.
