Burglar Proof your Home
1. Make your home look lived in while you're away. The key is to make it appear that people are coming and going, says Jim Wright, a director at the council. But leaving lights on all day is an indication that no one is home. Instead, put a porch light and an inside light or two on timers. If you set them to turn on and off with different patterns, it will help create an impression that someone is home.
2. Have someone take your trash can out and in on trash day.
3. Have someone get your mail or have the post office place a hold on it.
4. Have then newspaper stopped or have it picked up by someone so it does not lay out piling up.
5. Have someone park in your driveway on occasion especially if you are gone for any length of time.
6. Alert your neighborhood police department if you are going to be gone, they may be able to have someone drive by. Have a neighbor check the house from time to time. If you have a neighborhood watch group, let them know so they can watch your house more. Be sure to give them a number to reach you.
7. Secure all window and door locks and make sure they work. Sounds obvious, but Wright says that people often overlook this step while caught up in pre-vacation preparations. "Six of every 10 completed burglaries take place through unlocked doors or windows," he says. And don't forget about the garage.
8. Trim bushes. Overgrown shrubs provide hiding spots for potential intruders and can interfere with the line of sight for police or anyone else checking your house.
9. Invest in electronic security. House alarms are always a good investment. Even security signs and stickers are effective deterrents. I personally think it is not a wise idea to advertise your particular security system as it allows the thief to know what kind you have, but it does not hurt to have a sign that says this house protected with electronic security. Or my favorite "a rottweiller and a .357 handgun " and if you have a system, set the system.
10. One of the best deterrents, neighbors watching for other neighbors. Be sure you share phone numbers and place them in a handy location so that they can reach you if they think something is wrong.
***I know we can't stop people from stealing and committing crimes, but it is possible if we work together to make it so they don't want to do it in our neighborhood. Then let the police do it from there. Everything has a domino effect. If we all work together we may even help to put away anyone committing a crime in our neighborhood which will make it less desirable to the next thief.