#1: Keep Your Valuables Safely Stored in a Storage Unit
A majority of your valuables are kept stored out of sight and out of mind. It’s easy to forget that you have a $5000 ATV or a very valuable piece of fine art in the garage when you don’t look at your valuables daily. If you want to hold onto these items, consider moving them out of your home and your garage and investing in a storage unit that is protected by its own security system. While most storage facilities have a security system that guards the perimeter of the grounds, you can go a step further and install your own system to guard your own unit as an extra layer of protection. Find the cheapest security systems, have one installed, and remotely watch over your valuables.
#2: Make Sure Your Home Looks Lived-In
If you go on business trips or you spend long hours in the office, your home could be a target for experienced burglars who watch your schedule. You never want your home to look like it’s vacant for long periods of time. By setting your timers to turn your lights on, turning a TV timer on, and keeping a car parked in your driveway, you can make it appear as if someone is home and everything is secure.
#3: Pretend You Have a Dog
Did you know that most burglars will skip properties that have guard dogs? You can’t expect to put a “Beware of Dog” sign up in your yard to work all of the time. This is a trick that burglars are familiar with. Instead of doing this, consider placing large dog bowls near the entrances of your home. Add some dog toys in the yard for good measure, and you can scare intruders away in an instant without even owning a dog.
#4: Don’t Post Your Whereabouts
Do you trust all of your Facebook friends? You might think everyone is honest and trustworthy, but what about their list of friends? If you’re constantly posting check-ins out of town or pictures of your vacation, people know your home is an easy target. Save the pictures for when you get home, and make sure your profile is private.
#5: Keep Your Home Lit
It might sound obvious, but many property owners don’t invest in exterior lighting. A burglar’s goal is not to be seen, and if your property is well-lit they will feel like they are under a spotlight. Invest in flood lights, decorative lighting, and even motion-detection lighting, and your home will be more secure.
You need to get in the mindset of a criminal to identify where a burglar is most likely to enter your home or stakeout your property. By doing this, you can come up with ways to create barriers so that your home is never an easy target and valuables are never easy to find.