Keep your house protected from break-in or theft with these home security tips.
Your home is your castle, and nothing shakes your sense of security like a break in. And in fact, the possibility is always greater than it seems, as there is typically a home break-in once every 15 seconds in the United States (approximately 4,800 burglaries every day).
With the help of Travelers Insurance, here are several home security tips to help protect your house from burglary and theft.
1. Landscape with security in mind
Lots of trees, bushes, and shrubbery in your yard? Make sure dense areas stay clean and trimmed to avoid becoming a hiding spot for bad actors.
2. Talk with your local police department
It’s never a bad idea to reach out to local law enforcement for suggestions for security and to get information on any recent break-ins or suspicious activity in your area.
3. Know your neighbors
Get to know the folks who are regularly coming and going around your home and work together to keep an eye out for suspicious activities on your street. If you have a neighborhood watch, consider joining!
4. Add lighting
Always keep your property well lit in low-light conditions. Consider adding motion-sensitive fixtures outdoors and automatic timers or smart lightbulbs indoors to make it seem like you’re home when you’re away.
5. Don’t leave delivery boxes in plain sight
When you get high-ticket items delivered, do what you can to conceal that new flat-screen TV box or consider having packages delivered elsewhere or requiring a signature for delivery. This is also true of empty boxes on trash day, as they’re a major signal that a new, expensive item is in the home.
6. Set a safety routine
It’s important to put security into practice, so try creating a routine that includes locking all doors and windows and arming your alarm system every time you leave the house. Also, don’t keep spare keys in obvious hiding spots outside, such as under mats or planters.
7. Manage visibility
You shouldn’t have to expose yourself or an entrance to your home. Manage visibility by making sure you can see who is at the front door without opening it and by placing valuables in the home where they can’t be seen from the street.
8. Protect your outdoor valuables
Consider securing your grill, lawn mower, bicycles, and other outdoor gear. Plus, be sure to lock outdoor structures such as sheds and garages.
9. Create a plan for when you are away
If you won’t be at your home, don’t let others know. Take steps to make plans when you’re out of town by holding your mail, stopping your newspapers, and having a friend or neighbor remove flyers. Also, arrange for lawn moving or snow removal so it’s not obvious when you’re not around.
We hope this quick list helps you think safe and be safe while in and out of your home. And of course, you’ll always want to be sure your homeowners insurance policy is up-to-date if you do experience a break-in or theft. If you’re local to the greater Rochester, NY region and you’re not sure what your current coverage looks like, reach out to The Feltner Group. We’re happy to work with you regarding your homeowners or other policies and will do what we can to help provide resources for keeping your property protected.