It’s one of the worst things that can happen in life—you return home from a holiday or a day out and find out that your house has been ransacked by burglars. That is why, any time you’re planning to get away from home, you need to ensure that you’re not leaving it as a target for potential intruders.
But what can you do to deter burglars? If your property is well-lit and has security mechanisms that slow down intruders, it won’t be an easy target for them. Here are some sensible safety steps you can take to keep your house from being a prime target for burglaries and vandalism.
Replace Your Door Mail Slot for a Parcel Mailbox
A doorstep littered with a week’s mail and boxes that didn’t fit the mail slot is an invitation to burglars. A parcel mailbox helps address this problem by keeping your mail on a secure hold until you’re home to retrieve it.
Because parcel mailboxes have a bigger opening flap than letterboxes, most post packages and parcels can fit inside of them. Additionally, they include a safe hold where the product falls and stays there until the door is unlocked. These mailboxes often feature anti-theft mechanisms that guarantee the stability of shelves, baffle plates, and other components to prevent anyone from reaching in or removing the mail.
When shopping for parcel mailboxes, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind to make the right choice. One of them is size. You’ll want to choose a box that can comfortably fit the items you expect to receive. Consider the kinds of deliveries you usually get and choose accordingly.
It is advisable to ensure that the box you select is composed of sturdy material and has a dependable lock to deter theft and unauthorized entry. Consider getting a weather-resistant letterbox if it will be placed in an exposed region.
Last, but not least, take a look at the style and design options available. Although functionality is crucial, you also want to pick a box that blends in well with the design of your house or property. Take your time and choose a package letterbox style that best suits your needs and preferences because the variety of styles available may surprise you.
Parcel letterboxes are often designed to be installed on the ground. Pre-drilled holes and related hardware are typically included, making it simple to install the lock box at the desired location.
Trim the Shrubs and Trees Around Your Property
Without regular maintenance, shrubs and trees tend to grow out of control, partially obstructing windows and a significant part of the siding on your house. Aside from being unattractive, this also provides a safe refuge for burglars who could enter your yard and conceal themselves behind overgrown bushes before trying to break in.
One easy and affordable technique to make your home seem prettier and deter potential thieves is to prune overgrown trees and shrubs. For smaller branches, pruning shears could be used, and for larger limbs, a pruning saw or chainsaw. If you aren’t much of a DIYer, keep in mind that you can always hire an arborist to take care of your trees and shrubs for you.
Install Smart Security Cameras
Being able to check what’s going on inside your house while you’re gone is another way to ensure your home’s protection. With a simple app connection, smart cameras let you watch any room from your phone. You can access the camera from a different room, at work, or even while on vacation.
If the motion detector is triggered, the home security cameras will send you immediate alerts, and you’ll be able to see what is going on in real-time. The fact that these cameras come with night vision capabilities means they can capture clear video in low light and even in total darkness.
Install Lights with Motion Sensors
Vandals, thieves, and criminals frequently target homes while the occupants are either asleep or away. Their main objective is to stay hidden from neighbors who may report them to the police. For this reason, adding external lighting to your home’s perimeter is a wise move.
With motion sensor lights, you can easily discourage burglars from attempting to break into your property. Motion-activated exterior lighting, such as floodlights and door lights, will activate immediately when someone approaches your home too closely.
Change the Locks on Your Doors
Locking your windows and doors may not be enough if your locks are of poor quality. To start, make sure that locks are on all outside doors to make it harder for thieves to break in. Ensure that the hinges and door frames on your doors are strong enough to resist an attempted break-in. Doors that are older and have exposed hinges could put you in unnecessary danger. These days, you might even think about replacing your door locks with remote-operated smart locks.
Hide Your Valuables from Sight
To make sure they target homes where they may seize goods, some thieves would scout out possible targets in advance. Therefore, it’s advisable to keep your valuable possessions out of the plain sight of potential burglars. Close your garage door, for instance, and keep valuable equipment and motorcycles out of sight. You should also avoid keeping expensive devices, wallets, jewelry, cash, and other high-value things in front of open windows.
Rethink the Way You Hide Your Spare Key
People tend to hide a spare key in a front porch flower pot, under a doormat, or in a fake rock near the entrance – you may have seen this on TV shows and movies. Keep in mind that burglars also watch these shows and movies, which means they are familiar with the same techniques. If they find the key, they will be able to enter your home without causing any mess.
A spare key should be hidden somewhere unexpected, preferably away from the entrance. You could also leave it with a trusted neighbor. This way, if problems occur while you’re away, you can ask them to check things out.
