Home Security Tips and Tricks
Lighting
Thieves and potential home invaders generally prefer to use the cover of night to enact their dishonest deeds. Thankfully, with some well-placed security lighting, a would-be intruder’s shroud of darkness can instantly be lifted. External security lighting can not only prove useful for home security purposes though, and can also be a great choice for outside entertaining or ensuring that those few steps from car to front door are aided by light.
Lock everything
Just one unlocked door or window and you are vulnerable. Be especially careful to lock entrances that are out of view, as these are thieves’ favourites.
Don’t make it easy for them
Locking your home up but leaving the toolshed open is an invitation to thieves to use your tools to break in. Same goes for ladders, keep them locked away so thieves can’t use them to access upper levels.
Close the curtains
A thief is more likely to try and break in if they can see what’s inside. Don’t give them the temptation of seeing your expensive gear through a window.
Going away
Any sign that a house is unattended for a period of days or weeks is a big temptation for thieves. As much as possible make sure the house appears to be occupied, this is easier than it sounds.
Have someone collect your mail. This could be a neighbour. There’s nothing like an overflowing mailbox to say “we’re on holidays”.
Try and have a friend drop by every couple of days and switch various lights on. Mix up the pattern so there are different lights on each time, making it look like everyone is home.
Mow that lawn! If you’re away for a couple of weeks or more, an overgrown lawn can be a giveaway that the house is unattended. Ask a willing friend to do the lawn at least once, or pay for a local service to do it.
Lock away the good stuff
If you can, keep expensive items in hard to get to places. A home safe is great for smaller items. For larger gear life home theatre systems or computers, stash them away somewhere unlikely.
The key under the doormat
It’s a guarantee that every clever place you’ve thought of to hide that spare key is the first place a smart thief will look. The only way to be sure of a safe home here is to simply not leave a spare key anywhere at all.
