Did you know that the average cost of a break-in in the US is more than $2,250? If you are keen to protect your valuables and keep thieves at bay, it may be worth investing in security measures.
Violent Break-in. Image Source.
Is your home secure?
Look around your home. Would it be easy to break in? What could you do to make it more robust and resilient? You can use many different security measures to try to deter burglars. Some are a lot cheaper than others are, but often, it pays to invest in home security. Here are some of the most effective devices and systems you can use.
Home alarms
Burglar alarms are an effective deterrent, even when they are not called into action. A study conducted by researchers at North Carolina University showed that 60 percent of thieves target houses because they do not have an alarm system. Simply catching sight of the alarm is often enough to make your home a less appealing target than others. If you don’t have an alarm system, it may be time to read some alarm reviews and find out what you can get for your money. It is worth reading reviews to see which systems perform best, and which would suit your home and budget. You can buy everything from basic alarms to smart systems that boast an arsenal of impressive features.
Alarm system. Image source.
CCTV
If you have a large house or you have a lot of valuable at home, it may be worth fitting CCTV cameras. Visible cameras will put burglars off, and you can see what is going on outside from inside your home. The external cameras link to internal screens. If you notice something suspicious, you can lock the doors, and call for assistance. If a break-in occurs while you are out, you can pass the footage on to police officers, and it should help them solve the crime. The images can also help you to ascertain what has been stolen, which is helpful for insurance purposes.
CCTV. Image source.
Security doors
You may be surprised to hear that more than 30 percent of convicted burglars enter a home through the front door. You may think that there is not much you can do to bolster security at this point of entry. However, you would be wrong. You can add additional locks, which makes it more difficult to kick a door down. Alternatively, you could buy a security door, which is positioned behind the front door. This extra barrier provides a greater challenge for thieves, and it could buy you valuable time.
Safes and locks
Most thieves will target rooms in the house that they believe contain valuable items. In most cases, they will make for the study, master bedroom, and living room. If you have possessions that are worth a lot, it is a good idea to keep them in a safe. If you have large items, fit a lock on the door. Combination locks are usually best because they are tough to crack. If a thief is struggling to find anything worth stealing, there is a high chance they will try to get out as quickly as possible.
Outdoor lights
Imagine you are a burglar looking for an easy target. If you are trying to gain entry into a property, the last thing you want is for bright lights to shine a spotlight on you. Outdoor lights can be fitted to external walls and garages. They can also be linked to cameras and alarm systems. When they detect movement, the lights come on. If you are at home, the lights will tell you that somebody is outside. If you are not at home, security lights could still be beneficial. Your neighbors may notice, for example, and they can alert the police.
Outdoor lights. Image Source.
It is not always necessary to kit out your home with every security gadget going. However, it is a good idea to take steps to protect your property, and investing in effective measures is one way of doing this. Even a simple, affordable alarm system or an outdoor light could prevent your home from being targeted by burglars. A thief is not going to attempt a complex obstacle course when there is a simpler route next door. Shop around, do some research and find out more about how effective different types of deterrent are. If you need advice or tips, contact your local police force or read articles online. I hope that you will never be in a situation where you have to deal with an attempted robbery but if you are, these measures could potentially save you a lot of money.
