Break-ins in the US have been steadily going down over the past decade, but they still happen alarmingly often. A home burglary occurs every thirty seconds, leading to financial loss of $2,661 on average. The risk of a burglary is still relatively high, and you have a lot to lose.
If you’ve just moved into a new home, you will be wondering how you can secure it. First off, make sure you have the right insurance. There are different types of homeowners insurance available, depending on what type of house you own and where it is located, among other factors. No matter how well you secure your home, there is always the risk of a break-in, and being prepared with insurance is crucial.
But before you get to that stage, let’s look at how to secure your new home.
Get a visible home security system
A home security system is absolutely crucial, and there are many options at a range of different price points. However, one crucial aspect no matter what system you get is that it should be visible. The visibility of cameras at the front of the home is a huge deterrent to thieves.
Only 12% of home break-ins are planned, so you rarely have to worry that someone has done the research to get past your alarm system. Rather, they are more likely to look for the easiest target, and visual deterrents are huge.
It is ideal that you prevent thieves from getting in, because home burglaries usually last less than ten minutes. Thieves are in and out. The alarm might send them running, but they may also finish the job before security arrives.
Secure doors and windows
Another thing to take into consideration in terms of keeping thieves out is how difficult it is to get in through doors and windows. A door that can easily be forced is not much of a deterrent, even when it’s locked. An open window can also be your downfall. While it may not look like an easy entry to you, a thief may be better able to squeeze through the space available, even from a height.
Most burglaries occur during daylight hours, contrary to what most people think. For this reason, you should always keep your doors and windows locked when you’re not home, even in the middle of the day. If you are home, your presence is a deterrent, so you should make it clear in some way that you are there. If you’re not home, consider leaving a radio on to make it sound like someone’s there.
Consider getting a house sitter when you are away
There is debate over whether getting a house sitter is a good idea. After all, you are leaving them with the responsibility of your home security, rather than relying on having the security system active all the time. But as we mentioned, burglaries happen very quickly and your security system may not be enough of a deterrent.
Having someone using your home may well be a better deterrent, causing thieves to avoid it even if the alarm is currently off. There are additional benefits to house sitters. They can make sure you are alerted if anything happens to your home and can take care of your plants. It also gives you peace of mind, knowing that your house is not empty and vulnerable.
Put pocket-size valuables in a safe
If someone does get into your home, they’re going to go for things like jewelry before anything else. Jewelry is easy to carry and can just be shoved into a pocket. It is also more valuable than most of the heavier items.
Putting these valuables in a safe gives you an added level of security, ensuring that even if someone gets in, they don’t have easy access to the biggest target.
Securing your new home is key, even if you have the right insurance. Get a great security system and keep your house locked up when you’re not home.
