Anyone can become a victim of burglary, and if it happens to you, it can turn your world upside down. Not only can the idea of a stranger being in your home make you feel upset and uneasy, but for many, it brings feelings of violation.
If you are in your home when it happens, you may even end up with post-traumatic stress symptoms and need counseling to deal with the after-effects. In some cases, people have even felt it necessary to sell their homes because they no longer feel safe and secure.
The good news is that there are many things you can and should do to reduce the risk of an intruder gaining access to your home. Here are 3 ways to keep your home and belongings safe from burglars.
Lock your doors and windows
You may think that leaving your doors or windows unlocked is a perfectly normal thing to do. What you might not know is that burglars usually watch your home for a few days or longer before making their move. If they are left unlocked or open regularly, the criminals will probably know about it. Keep everything locked even when you are at home and don’t give them an open invitation.
Similarly, make sure the locks that you do have are sufficient. A simple chain style lock, for example, can easily be cut or opened with force, so its worth upgrading to something more substantial. Not only will it help protect you and your home, but may also help to reduce your home insurance premiums.
Be careful with your keys
If you, like thousands of others, have your keys neatly displayed and labeled next to your front door, think again. Burglars will not only grab belongings but will do the same with keys. Perhaps you have keys to a garage or store on display, or maybe the keys to your truck are also hanging up, ready to be snatched. By all means, store them in some order, but it’s best to do so in a locked key box or a drawer.
Keyless entry car theft is another crime that is on the rise. Keyless entry systems work by transmitting radio signals between your key fob and a sensor within your car. Many criminals can retrieve and amplify these radio signals and thus trick your car into thinking they have the key fob. Reduce the risk of your vehicle being stolen by keeping keyless fobs away from your home’s windows and doors.
Keep valuables out of sight
Leaving valuables on display is like a red rag to a bull when it comes to burglars. That’s why it’s so important to keep things out of sight where possible. Maybe your kids continually leave their iPads lying around, or the top of the range laptop that you use on your dining table is in clear view from your lounge window.
If you have expensive jewelry, keep it stored in a drawer in your bedroom. If your property is compromised, burglars will grab whatever they can as quickly as possible, so keep things hidden, and it could help to minimize your losses.
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