12 Effective Ways to Secure Your Home From Burglars

In the United States, about 2.5 million burglaries occur every year, with more than 65% of them being home invasions. A survey showed that 46.9% of the participants don’t have an installed security system. Also, 17.2% of the people asked said that they don’t lock their front doors while they are inside their homes. And while the latter doesn’t sound too bad, it can be very dangerous since 34% of burglars choose the front door as an entrance point.

Bright Side would like to propose 12 easy hacks and habits that could save your home from unwanted intruders.

1. Don’t post about your whereabouts on social media.

We all share parts of our lives on social media, but posting about your location can be very dangerous. Burglars who have you on their radar are probably monitoring your posts. That’s why you should refrain from disclosing the location when posting a picture or letting others know about any upcoming trips. Also, don’t share your daily routine online since burglars will have a clear picture of when to break in.

2. Leave your radio on while you’re away from home.

Most burglars will knock on the door or ring the doorbell before they decide to break into a house. If they hear absolutely no sound, they will decide to break in. If, however, they hear a TV or music coming from inside the house, they will probably walk away, thinking that someone is home. That’s why leaving a radio on while you’re away might be a good idea.

If you’re away on vacation, you can buy a smart plug and turn your radio on and off remotely. Mornings and early afternoons are the most popular times that thieves choose to do their break-ins.

3. Park your car in your driveway.

If you plan on leaving for a few days or even weeks, your empty driveway might serve as an open invitation to burglars. You should consider asking your neighbors to park their cars in your driveway if possible. You can also ask a family member to stop by your house every other day or so and check on your property.

4. Shred confidential papers you don’t need anymore.

Identity theft might sound like something that would only happen in a movie, but it’s very much present in real life. Documents showing your financial information, personal details, and even junk mail can be targeted by thieves. That’s why you should dispose of any documents you don’t need anymore. And if you do need them, you should put them away in a safe spot where burglars will have trouble finding them.

5. Add security film to your windows.

Window security film is a thin, transparent plastic that protects your windows from break-ins and indiscreet people. Their job is to add strength to your windows and, in case a burglar tries to break in, they make their job a lot harder. Usually, they’re transparent, but they do offer privacy options that secure your home from wannabe intruders. So, if a burglar is trying to see if your home is empty or not, they will only see the design of your security film.

6. Create a decoy by putting some valuables in an obvious place.

Sometimes burglars don’t get discouraged by an alarm or security cameras. They will break in as fast as they can and grab anything they find before the police are tipped off. And since they don’t have a lot of time, they will head toward the most common hiding places, like a bedside table or a closet. That being said, take a box and put some fake money, jewelry, and meaningless papers in it, and let them think that they stole things of value.

7. Buy a TV simulator.

Whether you’re away on vacation or are out for just a few hours, a fake TV can provide you with protection from potential burglars. There are many models with built-in sensors and timers so you can program them to operate whenever you wish. They have the ability to simulate the color changes of a real television. Luckily, they consume less power than a conventional TV, so you don’t need to worry about the electricity bill.

8. Hang your house number on a big plaque.

Burglars usually choose houses whose addresses aren’t easy to find. That’s why it’s useful to hang your house number on a big plaque on your front wall and on your mailbox as well. In case of an emergency, the police will identify your property much easier. Therefore, the possibility of catching the burglars red-handed is more likely.

9. Get a panic button.

Imagine if an intruder were to come into your home while you were inside, hiding in your bedroom. Having a panic button near you will notify the police or any other safety measures you have taken. The alarm button can be loud, like most alarms, but it can also be completely silent. The latter will help a lot with catching the thief rather than sending them away after hearing the loud noise of an alarm.

10. Don’t post a picture of your keys on social media.

Sometimes people show their keys online without even realizing it, and it’s something that can potentially put them in danger. More specifically, someone who follows your every move can make a copy of your keys just from a photo. The only thing they need is an app that scans a key, creates a duplicate, and then sends it to their home.

11. Get acquainted with your neighbors.

In small and tight communities, burglaries seem to be quite uncommon. This is because everyone is familiar with each other and they care about everyone’s wellbeing. Even if you’re away, your neighbor will keep an eye out for suspicious people that might be lurking outside your home. So, if you were thinking about making that casserole, now is as good a time as any.

12. Place a glass of beads behind your door.

Whether you’re away or inside your home, you can put a glass full of beads right behind your front door. If someone enters your house, they will most likely spread the beads all over the place. They will surely try and pick them all up, but they will probably miss some of them. So, if you know the exact number, you will know that someone violated your personal space.

This is also a great alternative to an alarm for when you are inside your home. If you hear the beads falling on the floor, you will be notified that a potential burglar has just broken into your home.

Have you taken any security precautions to protect your home from intruders? If so, have they proven to be effective?