A burglary occurs every 20 seconds, according to the latest annual crime report from the FBI. To protect your home properly, you need to think like a criminal.
If you are currently using any of the following common security measures, discontinue them immediately to avoid becoming a statistic in the FBI’s next crime report.
Fake Security Signs
Those fake “smile, you’re on camera” signs don’t fool anyone, especially not a seasoned burglar who knows to also be on the lookout for actual functioning video cameras. The same goes for alarm company yard signs if you don’t also have a working alarm, which should be visible from the main entry of your house.
Back up the signage with a top-of-the-line security system and quality security cameras. To save money on high monthly subscription costs, opt for a security camera system that can be purchased outright, like the ones by Lorex.
High Fences
While you may think that the tall fence surrounding the perimeter of your home provides a shield of privacy so that criminals can’t see all of the nice things that you have on your property, they actually have the opposite effect. Burglars prefer homes that have this kind of privacy fencing because once they make it over the fence when they are sure no one is home, they know they will not have to worry about being caught by the prying eyes of nosy neighbors or passersby on the street.
Typically, a burglar will check to see if the fence gate is unlocked and let himself in if it is, under the guise of a salesperson or another bogus story just to check and see if you are home. If your gate is securely locked, that is often taken as a sign that you are not home, in which case a crafty burglar will inspect the perimeter of your fence, looking for any vulnerabilities and then climbing over.
Instead of a massive fence, opt for something lower around waist-height that isn’t solid block so that neighbors and passerby can see what is going on in your yard when you aren’t home.
Thick Shrubbery & Vegetation
Just as with a tall fence, thick shrubbery and lush landscaping also provide a safe haven for burglars looking to stay out of sight from the prying eyes of watchful neighbors. You may love the look of your landscaping but it might not be worth keeping if it makes your home more appealing to criminals looking to make a quick buck selling your stuff.
To solve this home security problem, hire a landscaping consultant to help you come up with a new landscape design that will provide less of a reprieve for burglars. Often all that is necessary to refresh an overgrown yard is a lot of pruning and ample landscape lighting to fully illuminate the dark corners of your yard at night.
Fake Rock Hide-a-Key
If you keep a fake rock with a compartment hiding a spare key to your home anywhere near any of the entrances to your home, you are begging to be burglarized. Those fake rocks do not fool anyone, least of all burglars who routinely watch neighborhoods, inspecting little details in the hunt for the easiest homes to target for their next crime.
Do yourself a favor and toss the fake rock and hide your spare key somewhere safer and less obvious. For instance, use a small magnetic hide-a-key box and tuck the box behind your freestanding air conditioner or barbecue grill. By hiding the key in a place that isn’t very close to your front door, you can decrease the chances that a thief will take the time to find it.
Author Info: Allison Wilkinson – As a mom, wife, writer, runner and amateur chef, adventure is the name of the game for Allison. When she’s not exploring with her toddler, she’s researching her next family vacation, trying to answer the never-ending question of what to make for dinner or taking some me time on her yoga mat.
