A house is so much more than materials all connected into a structure. A family makes that building a home. It’s where loved ones live and bond and grow together. It’s the center of their lives. Memories that will forever live in minds and hearts are made at home. It’s where people become grounded. These special places provide shelter, storage and space in which to live and breathe. A home is a private place where residents can shut off the challenges of the world and experience the love in life. For most people, their home is a sanctuary.
That’s why burglaries and home invasions can be so traumatic. It’s unnerving when a home has been entered by someone without a resident’s permission. Not only are personal possessions at risk, experiencing a home break-in can be emotional and dangerous. After all, that sense of security is shattered. And break-ins are a huge problem as, on average, more than one million burglaries occur in the United States each year, according to a 2022 article from Forbes. Many of them happen during the daytime while people are away at work. Here are some tips to keep a home secure and make it difficult for would-be intruders to get in:
Lock it: Make sure all doors and windows are locked, especially when no one is home. Windows at ground level are particularly vulnerable. Use deadbolt locks as they are more difficult to breach. A rod is an easy way to secure sliding patio doors;
Close it: Keep the garage door closed at all times unless someone is working around the yard or just relaxing outside. This is particularly true if the garage has an attached entrance to the home. Thieves can easily remove valuable property from a garage or home and disappear in seconds;
Hide it. Avoid placing valuables such as electronics or expensive figurines near windows where they are easily seen from outside. Don’t leave a spare key under the front door mat or in other obvious concealing places;
Police it. Many local police departments offer a vacation check service in which officers keep an eye on the house when it’s empty. Typically the police agency will ask for basic information and officers will check the house on a regular basis while the residents are away;
Alarm it: Install an alarm that notifies authorities if someone enters a residence. Motion sensors provide information as to a person’s location inside the home that will help first responders;
Still, even the most cautious people can still experience a burglary or home invasion. Make sure your members are protected with a complete home insurance package from IMAC.