With the current economic situation, house raids are unfortunately increasingly real. People are losing their belongings, and many will probably never see them again. If you don't want your home to be robbed, this guide will show you some simple steps you can take to prevent a theft.
Steps
Step 1. A functioning alarm system is always a good preventative measure
Installing one is not very difficult and is usually not very expensive. These alarms can be a great deterrent for thieves. However, make sure it is installed by a professional.
Step 2. Close doors and windows
If you leave them open it is an invitation to enter and steal into your home. If a lock doesn't work, get it fixed immediately.
Step 3. Destroy the packaging boxes
Strange as it may seem, people may come stealing thinking they will find what they see from the packing boxes you left at the end of your driveway. If you have left a box showing a plasma screen or some other very expensive device, you should discard the packaging.
Step 4. Leave the lights on, even when you go out
If a house appears empty and lacking adequate protection, it could be subject to a robbery. Leaving the lights on is a safety measure for any home.
Step 5. Trust your neighbors
If you have to go away for a while, neighbors can help protect the house.
Step 6. Close the garage
If you leave it open, even during the day, you put the car and its contents at risk and strangers can enter. Pay particular attention to closing at night. If you see your neighbors' garage open even during the night, call them to let them know. They will appreciate your notice and will likely return the favor if you inadvertently leave the garage open.
Step 7. Keep important items out of sight if possible so that a curious stranger cannot see anything of value through the windows
This also applies to your car.
Step 8. If there is a glass near the entrance door, use a double bolt, so it cannot be reached if strangers break the glass and want to unhinge the door
Always keep a key for the deadbolt inside the house near the door, so you can easily escape in the event of a fire.
Step 9. Plant some thorny bushes near the windows, they could be effective in discouraging a break-in of thieves
Step 10. Remove tall shrubs near doors and windows, as they may allow burglars who are trying to enter your home to hide from the sight of attentive neighbors
Step 11. Make sure you protect the windows in the garage
For sliding windows, use blocks on the rails to hold them in place, or put a stick to prevent the window from sliding and opening. Once in the garage, thieves have a lot of chances to break into your house using the same tools as you. And unfortunately, once inside the garage, the door leading into the house is often open. Then lock it with a bolt and keep it closed when you go to sleep.
Step 12. Secure the windows on the upper floor and, above all, the doors to the terraces or balconies
These can often be reached by athletic youngsters or experienced thieves looking for easy home access.
Step 13. Add outdoor lighting to the house so that visitors can be seen by your neighbors when they try to get closer
Leave the lights on when you leave, or install a motion sensor and / or light sensors to activate at dusk and / or when someone approaches.
Step 14. If you need to park your car outside, place it in a well-lit area and lock it
It would also be worth investing in a car alarm.
Step 15. Do not keep the key in your house, but hide it outside
Most careful thieves can find a hidden key if they have the time to search. If you have to keep a key outside the house, give it to your neighbors. You could also keep it hidden outside their home if you are concerned that you will have to disturb them in case you need to.
Step 16. If you have installed a keypad garage door opener system outside, enter a particularly difficult code
Don't use a number that can be easily spotted by a resolute thief. Avoid birthdays, addresses, phone numbers, sequential or repetitive numbers. Sure, maybe it's not the best combination, but matching different numbers like the first two digits of the phone number plus the month you were born can be a good solution. Or you could use two digits from your mom's birthday and two digits from your dad's birthday. Do not share this code with anyone but only your closest family members.
Step 17. Be careful with the workers and contractors working in your home or your neighbors
If you have any valuable equipment or tools, don't leave them in sight, because, as they say, out of sight, out of mind. Some may be tempted to take your things or tell a friend where your valuables are so they can have an "alibi" in the future.
Advice
- Take pictures of yourself with your valuables like jewelry, and be sure to keep your documents and receipts. If you are robbed and you want the money from the insurance company, it may be necessary to get the money.
- Don't hide valuables in the bedroom, that's where thieves look for the most. When they steal from a house, they are stressed and if you hide things in some less obvious area they can waste a little more time and become even more anxious until they give up.
- Check your security systems and locks often to make sure they are in perfect working order.
