Making Sure Your Home is As Secure As Possible

When you’re planning a trip away from home, you may be trying to figure out a lot of things before you hit the road. You might not realize that just locking up your home and leaving may not be enough to keep your home safe from a possible break-in. If you have had the misfortune of someone breaking into your home, you know that it isn’t a good feeling. You may lose sleep and never feel safe again. This isn’t anyway to live. No one should have to live like this and with a little forethought; you won’t have to.

 

An intruder is only looking for two things, not including your valuables, time and opportunity. If you are going away for any extended amount of time, this provides them with both of these things. If someone has been casing out your neighborhood, they may have already made your home a prime target without your even knowing it. When they know that you will not be returning, they will jump at the chance to get inside your home.

 

Ways to Avoid a Break-in

 

You might think that there is nothing you can do to avoid a break-in but you would be wrong. It is possible to deter a break-in if you are aware of the possibility of a break-in and take action to avoid it. Here are some practical solutions for avoiding a break-in.

 

Security Systems

 

If you don’t already have a security system, even the basic one, it is a good idea to begin thinking about investing in one. They are not as expensive as they used to be and there is no reason that anyone should have to be without one these days. Putting the lock on your door doesn’t seem to be enough to keep out intruders and this is why manufacturers are designing security systems that will suit the needs of everyone regardless of their budget. An intruder knows how to get inside even when the doors and windows are locked. They are scared off as soon as a security alarm goes off. Some people just have a security sign in their yard or on their door, anywhere that is visible to a possible intruder, to act as a deterrent against burglary.

 

If you are serious about protecting your home, you might even consider purchasing a security system with a surveillance camera. An intruder won’t usually risk being discovered and will often go in the other direction when a camera is detected. This is the type of thing that is worth the added expense. Just like you invest in your home, invest in protecting it by having a security system installed with a surveillance camera.

 

Finally, always double check that every door and window to your home is locked. You might think that simply because a door or window is not accessible without a ladder that no one will attempt to break-in, think again. A burglar will do whatever it takes to gain access. You can never be too careful.

 

Keep Vacation Plans to Yourself

 

This is where a lot of people go wrong. They announce to everyone on social media that they are going away on a vacation. While there is nothing wrong with going on vacation, it simply leaves your home susceptible to an intrusion. Don’t take chances by letting others know that you’ll be away; it could be your downfall. Giving out information about exactly when and where you are going, once again, gives a burglar time and opportunity. Our locksmiths at Locksmith Hampton in Hampton, VA suggest that you brag about your vacation AFTER you have returned home. This keeps your home secure. Posting this type of information on social media is a good way to get your home broken into. Avoid it and don’t start posting information about your vacation on social media.

 

Don’t leave any type of notes on your door or mailbox. If you’re expecting some type of service to be performed while you are away, give a key to a trusted friend, family member or neighbor to allow them in and out. We wouldn’t even suggest that you leave them inside your home alone. Get someone in that will keep an eye on the service technicians while they are in your home. You don’t want them leaving something in the door to gain access later. If at all possible, rearrange the service visit for when you’ll be home. If not, avoid leaving notes that can let others know that you are away.

 

Never Leave a Spare Key

 

Just because you’ve been leaving spare keys under pots, planters and mats and nothing has ever happened; doesn’t mean that it won’t, eventually. Keep your home safe by leaving a spare key with a neighbor instead of on your property. Some intruders will simply check the most obvious places and viola; they are in your home. It is strongly discouraged to leave a key on your property.

 

If you have people in and out of your home often, there is something called a smart key that uses a keypad to gain access, that you may want to have installed. You can program the keypad to accept a code that you provide to the person. When you no longer want them to have access, you simply deactivate it. This helps to keeps intruders out by maximizing your level of security and gives you peace-of-mind.

 

We think that these suggestions are rather simply and by implementing them, you are able to keep your home secure. Never assume that it can’t and will not happen to you. This is what an intruder is banking on. When you are not prepared, you make yourself more susceptible to a break-in. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor by making sure you keep your home as secure as possible at all times. You don’t have to become the next victim of a home invasion if you take the proper steps to avoid it.

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