6 Simple Ways to Discourage Break ins into Your Home 

Have you seen a movie where a break-in occurred? Or worse case, being a victim? You’d notice that one important factor in any break-in is timing. Most burglars want to get in and out in a few minutes. This means every step you can take to discourage break ins into your home or delay them is worth it.

Statistics show that there are 2.5 million burglaries yearly in the United States. 66% of these are home invasions. Another shocking statistic, the FBI has is that every 15 seconds a home burglary occurs in the United States. This means that around 4,800 burglaries happen every day. Most break-ins take place in the middle of the day while people are at work or out running errands. To discourage break ins into your home, it’s essential to take preventative measures such as improving security systems, installing cameras, and ensuring your home is well-lit.

Your home should be the safest place for you, your properties, and your loved ones. It’s your place of safety and comfort. You must pay maximum attention to your home security. Keeping your home safe and discouraging break ins into your home isn’t a complex task. You don’t need expensive resources to do so. You just need to know what to do to discourage break ins into your home. In this article, we’ll show you some simple steps you need to take note of.

Let’s drive through!

Steps to Prevent Break-ins in Your Home

You don’t need to wait till you want to go on vacation to safeguard your home against burglars. In fact, taking proactive steps to discourage break ins into your home is essential. We have laid down some simple preventative steps to protect your home from the inside, the outside, and while you’re out.

Case in point: 

1. Make them feel you are at home when you are not!

Break-ins are more successful during the day when many people are out of the home. What better way to fool an intruder than by creating an illusion that someone is at home? If they can tell that someone is home, there’s a greater chance that they would be discouraged from breaking into your home. Creating this illusion can help discourage break ins into your home, reducing the likelihood of an intruder targeting your property.

This is what you can do to discourage break ins into your home. You can leave a light on. You can also leave the music or your television on when taking a short walk around the neighborhood. This might require a little more energy, but consider the extra utility bill a bill for safety. You can install compact fluorescent bulbs that last longer and are better for the environment. Smart plugs and smart lights are better. They help in switching on and off your lights with your smartphone or PC even when you’re outside.

2. Avoid showoffs

Burglars work with information. Before a break-in happens, most burglars do a surveillance routine around the targeted neighborhood. Just as you can lure a dog with a bone, burglars can be lured onto your property when you leave certain things lying around your house or are in plain sight from the road. To discourage break ins into your home, make sure you secure valuables and eliminate any visual cues that might attract unwanted attention.

If you purchased a costly piece of equipment, don’t leave the box out beside the trash bin. You’d be throwing the bone to the dog. Burglars can get the idea that you have something brand new that could be worth some dollars. It may also leave them wondering what other goodies are inside your home. To discourage break ins into your home, always dispose of packaging discreetly, ideally breaking down boxes and recycling them inside. This reduces the chance of attracting unwanted attention.

Ensure your windows and the curtains are closed when you leave the house. Keep your expensive items out of sight. Don’t move them close to the window or within plain sight.

3. ­­Don’t hide your spare keys outside

Hiding your spare key under your doormat or in a flower pot is a rookie mistake. This may seem wise, but security-wise it isn’t. You’d only end up shooting yourself in the leg someday. Someone could see you retrieve the key at some point, thus leaving your hiding spot exposed. You can hide your spare key in a combination lockbox and hide it somewhere outside. 

However, if you misplaced your door key and you are unable to find it, there is a chance that someone familiar has stolen it and is waiting for the right chance to break in. It would be wise to contact professionals to change your door lock

4. Install security cameras 

One guarantee you are sure to have when you install security cameras in your home is peace of mind. It’s like having eyes on your property 24/7. That’s peaceful. You will know exactly when someone is around the area and trying to make their way into your home. You will have the evidence you need to capture the intruder. 

There are various specialized advancements designed for modern security cameras. You can record, see and hear what is happening inside and outside your home. Smart security cameras allow you to monitor your home by using your smartphone or PC anywhere you are. Some of them offer more advanced features like motion-triggered recording or infrared night vision. 

All you need to do is to link the smart cameras to your device. Smart security cameras act as a serious deterrent. It’s a red flag for an intruder if he knows he is watched and won’t trespass. These smart cameras generate extra eyes that scare away burglars and keep your home protected. If you see someone lurking around, you can have a conversation with the camera’s microphone or you can call the authorities instantly and catch them in the act.

5. Create a neighborhood surveillance program

Break-ins can be deterred efficiently within your neighborhood. All you need to do is to create a neighborhood surveillance program to discourage break ins into your home. You can plan this by developing various shifts with your neighbors. They can monitor the neighborhood throughout the evening hours. The groups can take four-hour shifts to ensure everyone gets adequate rest while keeping the neighborhood safe.

You can also ally with local authorities to help discourage break ins into your home. They can inform you of various protective measures the surveillance team can take. Everyone should carry a flashlight and cell phone with them to ensure he or she is protected while carrying out their duty.

6. Keep your windows and doors locked when you’re not around 

An unlocked door or window when no one is home is like throwing a red carpet at a burglar. More than 40 percent of break-ins in the United States happen without using force. That means many people leave their houses without locking their doors and windows. Before leaving home, make sure that all entrances into your home are securely shut. 

Deadbolts are one of the best ways to secure your home door. A burglar will not be able to break through a deadbolt with a crowbar or pick them open. This ensures the safety and security of your home. You won’t have to worry about someone trying to kick down your door with one of these units in place.

Your peace of mind remains intact when you’re certain that your home is safe from burglars. This can be possible by getting professional assistance. At Alcatraz locksmith, we are professionals in locksmith service. We sell, install and service electronic and digital locks, master key systems, security cameras, home lock replacements, and access control systems. Over the years we have proven that our services are topnotch and reliable. We have qualified customer representatives who are happy to answer any questions you might have for us. Feel free to contact us!