Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Do you want to secure your home against possible theft? Find out how you can improve your home security system without spending a penny.

Steps

1. 1 Think like a burglar. Imagine yourself in the shoes of a burglar and think about what methods you would use to get into your house. Explore all security and access vulnerabilities in your home.
2. 2 Lock all doors. Even if you grew up in places where it is not customary or there was simply no need to lock the doors, now you need to do it. The world has changed, and if you are concerned about the safety of your property in your home, always lock the doors.
3. 3 Close windows. The windows on the lower floors and sliding doors are very easy to open from the outside. Any burglar will not miss the chance to check if they are open.
4. 4 Lock the balcony door. Never leave your balcony door open at night or when leaving home. Balconies can provide thieves with easy access to your home.
5. 5 Lock the garage doors. Some garages can provide access to the house, so all doors from the street to the garage and from the garage to the house must be locked.
6. 6 New locks for the new house. When you move into a new home, replace all old locks with new ones, as you may not be aware that someone else might have copies of the keys.
7. 7 Leave the lights, TV or receiver on. When you leave, leave the lights on in one of the rooms, or purchase a dedicated timer that automatically turns the lights on or off based on your settings. Let the burglar think 10 times if he should break into your house.
8. 8 Don't leave notes at the door. For example: "Dear delivery service, I will be away from home all day, so leave the package on the porch." For the burglar, this would mean: "Dear thief, I will not be at home all day, so you can slowly rob my house." Therefore, a thief, knowing that you will not be at home all day, is unlikely to limit himself to one package on the porch.
9. 9 Close the curtains. Draw curtains in rooms where there are expensive items that might induce thieves into your home.
10. 10 Notify the police if you notice suspicious things. You must immediately inform the police if you notice an unfamiliar car passing by several times a day near your house; if a person is constantly sitting in a car parked on your street for a long time; if a van is parked next to your neighbors' house, and you know for sure that this house was not put up for sale.
11. 11 Install lighting in your yard. It will be more difficult for a thief to enter a house and remain unnoticed if all entrances to the house are illuminated.
12. 12 Install an alarm system. If a burglar tries to break into your home, the alarm will scare him off and stop.
13. 13 Change the lock if you lost your key. Someone could find it and pick it up.
14. 14 Make sure your bushes are trimmed to the level of your windowsill and don't obstruct your view.
15. 15 Get a dog. The barking of the dog will be a signal and attract attention, which the robbers are trying to avoid in every possible way.
16. 16 Never leave a spare key. It is highly discouraged to leave your spare key anywhere near your home, especially in obvious places like under the doormat.
17. 17 Place bars on the windows. Especially if your home is located in a dysfunctional area.This will prevent thieves from entering the house through the windows.
18. 18 Get a safe. The safe can protect not only your jewelry from theft, but also important documents, checkbooks, bank details and other financial documents.

Tips

• When you buy a new computer or TV do you throw the box right in front of the house in the yard? Someone passing by in a car will immediately guess from the box in your trash can that you have got something new. The same applies to other things that are easily transportable and expensive: stereos, laptops, video consoles, etc. Any thief, if he sees that you have something new, is unlikely to go to rob some other house.
• If someone calls you and offers services for installing security systems for your home, always answer that you already have both a fire and burglar alarm system installed, since you never know who is really calling you. It is not particularly difficult for any potential thief to introduce himself as a security system sales manager.
• When replacing old locks with new ones, make sure you buy a good quality and secured lock. Locks need to be bought not somewhere in the bazaar, but from a specialized dealer and for its installation you need to use the services of highly qualified craftsmen.
• Retirees are often offered discounts on parts and replacement locks, so ask your handyman about this.
• Mow your lawn. If a would-be burglar walks by and sees an uncut lawn or newspapers in his mailbox, this will clearly draw his attention to the house. For him, this will mean that there is no one at home or no one cares about this house. This is especially important when you are selling your home or leaving during your vacation. Ask your neighbors to pick up the newspapers and letters from the mailbox, or go to the post office and warn them that you yourself will then pick up your correspondence. Before you leave, trim your lawn to make it look like someone is in the house. If the thief thinks that someone may be in the house, he will choose another place for himself to steal. Generally, thieves are very lazy and are always looking for easy ways to make money. Don't give them this opportunity.

Warnings

• Don't post on social media that you are going on vacation or planning to go somewhere. Some will see that you will not be at home and will not miss the opportunity to rob your home.
• The easiest and most effective way to be safe is to have common sense. You don't leave your keys at the door when you leave the house, do you? Then why would you leave your keys in your car with the engine running when you are not in it? Make an extra key for the door or supply a remote start device. Don't make your car an easy target for thieves. Keep your wallet in one pocket and some money in the other.