Check your doors
Locks are inclined to lose their efficiency if they are fixed in frail and brittle doors. Make certain the exterior doors are firm, no less than 1 ¾ inch metal or hard-grained wood. Doors must fit compactly in their frames and hinges must be on the interior. Set up a spy-hole in all entrance doors so you can see who has come without opening the door. A small chain between the doors and door-post is not an appropriate alternative as it may be broken without difficulty.
Look at your home from the outside
To prevent burglars from selecting your house, make certain all bushes around the house are trimmed so they will not conceal anybody trying to enter your property. Cut back tree branches that might help a burglar get to the second story windows. Maintain your yard in good order and keep ladders and instruments inside your garage or foundation when they are not in use.
Consider an alarm system
If you reside in a remote district or in an area exposed to housebreaking, inquire about the costs of an alarm system. The most uncomplicated in-house alarm system installs a small electrical network across door locks and from windows to frames. In case this current is disrupted by somebody opening the window or door, the alarm is heard. More complicated systems embrace sensing devices setting off a siren as a burglar intrudes into the field of constantly moving sound or radar waves. Complex alarm systems may be monitored by a central office that informs the police when a burglar breaks in. Such systems may include smoke and medical alarms.
Have a family plan
Do not forget that your aim is to keep away from any conflicts with a thief as there is a possibility he or she is armed. If you see a door, window or a screen slit is broken when you come home, do not enter the house, call the police from your neighbor’s home.
Prepare when you leave town
Inform your reliable neighbor who has a view of your home of your vacation timetable and ask him or her to collect your mail and newspapers. Set lights and radio on timers to make an illusion of your presence. Leave curtains and shades in usual positions and ask to have your lawn and garden looked after if you are gone for a long time. In winter, ask your neighbor to take snow away from the sidewalk and to leave footprints near your house to make semblance somebody is at home.
As you see, spending some time and tolerable sum of money you may significantly lessen your chances of becoming a victim of residential burglary.
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