20/02/2023
Lock doors and windows. Check them every time the house is left empty and make keeping them locked the “default” setting for door and window locks.
If the house has an alarm, set it. Many homeowners find setting the alarm at each departure an inconvenience. But it is a simple habit to form compared to dealing with the aftermath of a break-in.
Get to know the neighbors. One of the best forms of home security is having more protective eyes watching a property; especially when the owners are at work or on vacation.
Keep bushes trimmed. Overgrown vegetation can serve as camouflage for a burglar. Keep hedges trimmed and the house visible. This will boost your curb appeal as an added bonus!
Keep entrances well lit. Install and use lighting around entrances. Solar, motion activated or timed lighting can provide added security in the absence of an owner.
Maintain doors and windows. Older and deteriorating doors and windows are easier targets for burglars. Keep them maintained, repaired and replace as necessary.
Don't advertise your absence. Avoid announcing your absence publicly on social media. Have mail and newspaper delivery stopped when away for several days or more. Keep lawns mowed.
Leave a radio on in your absence. A talk radio station can be particularly effective in creating the illusion someone is present in the home.
Get in the habit about taking home security more seriously. Consider it each time you leave. With enough practice, safety will become second nature to homeowners.
