“How would I break into my home if I had to? Would this be obvious to someone else? How can I make it less obvious/easy to break in to?” “Is my home easy to view by other people? Would other people see a person breaking into my home from the road? How can I make my home more visible?” “Does my home look unoccupied? How can I make my home look more occupied both when I’m away and at home?"[1] X Research source
Front door Ground floor windows Side/back doors[2] X Research source
Use dowels or rods as security bars. Lay these along the inside track of sliding doors and horizontally sliding windows to prevent being forced open. Install reinforced locks on exterior doors. Install a security door, or some other sturdy variety, like a solid core door.
“Beware of The Dog” signs can be bought at most hardware stores but can also be purchased online. Imitation security system stickers might be found at a hardware store, home security store, spy/surveillance shop, or online.
Bull mastiff Doberman German shepherd Rottweiler[10] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
Put up curtains or blinds to make it more difficult for burglars to peep inside your home. Store expensive outdoor items, like bicycles and barbecues, in a storage unit. Tint your windows. Don’t keep valuables in your car, either. [11] X Expert Source Saul Jaeger, MSPolice Captain, Mountain View Police Department Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.
Barberry Pyracantha Roses
Motion sensor lights at the main doors of your house are another affordable prevention measure you might employ. [13] X Expert Source Asher SmileyMartial Arts Instructor Expert Interview. 30 July 2019. Be sure to set a timer before going on extended trips or a vacation. [14] X Research source If you don’t have a timer, keep your exterior lights on so the outside of your home is lit up. [15] X Expert Source Saul Jaeger, MSPolice Captain, Mountain View Police Department Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.
A camera with a blinking light is a great deterrent, even if it isn’t hooked up. [17] X Expert Source Saul Jaeger, MSPolice Captain, Mountain View Police Department Expert Interview. 21 February 2020. When setting up imitation cameras, be sure you do so convincingly. Connect the camera to an outlet even if it doesn’t need power and arrange other wires to appear connected to the inside of your home.
Second storey windows and doors are responsible for approximately 2% of burglaries, and usually only need to be secured with regular measures. [18] X Research source
If a garage is not available, you might build a small structure to store your garbage cans with 2x4 pieces of wood, thick gauge chicken wire, hinges, and a latch. You can then lock your garbage cans in your enclosure to prevent snooping.
Inquire with your neighborhood association or homeowner’s association to see if your community has a neighborhood watch program already in place. Check out some tips on how to form your own neighborhood watch.