How to Protect Your Home From Burglars

No one wants to be the target of a burglary, but sometimes we inadvertently invite intruders by practicing certain common behaviors. Fortunately, there are things we can do to make our homes safer, and most of them are pretty simple. Check out the list below to see if your home passes the burglar-proof test or to learn more ways to keep them away. 

Eliminate Hiding Spots

Start by surveying the outside of your property. Are there tall bushes, big trees, rocks, shrubs, or other things someone could use to conceal their presence? Avoid making your home look inviting to sneaky suspects by removing tall or bulky items from your landscaping. 

Add Light

Another great way to deter burglars is by keeping the areas around your home well lit at night. It is much easier to sneak around in the dark without someone noticing than it is with outdoor lighting. A lot of lighting options, particularly those associated with smart home security systems, can be set to a timer and automatically turned on each night. You could also opt for lights with motion sensors that turn on when someone gets close to the house.

Be Aware of Your Habits

Pay attention to the things you do on a regular basis and take note of anything that might change while you are on vacation. For example, burglars may notice if a lawn hasn’t been mowed recently or there are newspapers lying in front of your house. They may also notice if there are no cars parked there for several days, the lights are always off, or the blinds are always closed.

It is also a good idea to keep expensive purchases to yourself. Break down boxes before putting them in outdoor trash cans so they don’t stick out, and avoid placing pricey items where they can easily be viewed from a window. A safe or creative hiding place is a good idea for smaller valuables, as thieves often head straight for drawers and jewelry boxes. 

Add Cameras

One of the best ways to keep your home safe is by installing cameras, which can be placed both indoors and outdoors. There are nearly endless options when it comes to the types and placement of cameras. With smart home system technology, you can even receive an alert and watch a live feed on your mobile device if a camera detects motion near your home. You can install CCTV cameras around the outside perimeter of your home, inside your home for checking in on kids or pets, or put one right on your doorbell to see who is approaching your front door.

Stay off Social Media

We like to believe everyone we interact with on social media is trustworthy and has our best interest at heart, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, especially if your accounts are not private. Posting about going out of town or sharing pictures showing you are on vacation is a quick and easy way to let everyone know your house is empty. So save the sharing for later. You can always text pics to Grandma if she really needs to stay in the loop. There are also a few tips in this article that can help you keep your account as private as possible to protect from some those threats.

Neighborhood Watch

Get to know your neighbors, find out if there is a neighborhood watch program, and if not, start one yourself! With everyone looking out for each other, a lurking stranger or unfamiliar car won’t go unnoticed. Plus, your favorite neighbors might even shovel snow or pick up mail for you while you’re away so your home looks lived-in. There are even apps that can help facilitate this like Nextdoor.

Smart Home Security System

A smart home security system, like the one offered by AMP Smart, is a great asset for keeping your home and family safe. You can control everything from your phone, which means you can lock doors remotely, watch video feeds, and receive alerts about potential intruders. Learn more about available smart home features with our easy to use app!