Look at Your Home Through the Eyes of a Thief

There is no way to 100 percent guarantee that your house will not become a target for burglars. That being said, you can take certain measures to ensure that you minimize your odds of being burglarized as much as possible. Of course, you must see to the basics of home security, such as locking your doors and windows, properly lighting your yard and installing a home security system, but there are also other actions you can take to make your home more secure.

The best way to determine what you need to do to make your home safer is to put on your burglar glasses. Pretend you are a thief and look at your home as if you were going to break into it.

• Examine the windows. Can you see into the house from the street or yard? Can you see items of value that would be worth the risk of getting caught? If so, buy or close your curtains so no one can see inside. You might also consider rearranging your home so that your rooms with high-dollar equipment are not near the street.
• Find a hiding place. Are you able to hide in the bushes near your house? Can you climb a tree and hide in the leaves and branches as you work to open an upper-floor window? Is there a dark stairwell in the backyard that cannot be seen by neighbors? Be sure to trim your bushes and trees so that neighbors can see your door from their door. Make sure tree branches do not provide a ladder to your upper floors.
• Look for a hidden key. This one is easy. If you’ve hidden a key anywhere outside of your home, you are susceptible to being burglarized. Burglars know where the best hiding places are and if you have a key in one of those places, you are basically inviting them to come in and take what they please. Instead, give a spare key to a trusted neighbor.
• Look for anything that belongs to the homeowner that can be used to break in. Is there a ladder on the porch? Is there a chainsaw by the garage? Is there an ax out back used to split logs? All of these tools can be used against you to break into your own house. Whenever you are finished using a tool, simply lock it up in the garage or shed to make sure it isn’t available to would-be thieves.

Home security isn’t difficult. All it takes is a little perspective and common sense and you can make you and your family safer. Of course, installing a home security system doesn’t hurt either, so be sure to make that a priority if you don’t already have one.