Practical Ways to Prevent Home Invasion

Making Security a Family Matter doesn’t always have to cost your family hundreds or thousands of dollars.  There are many practical ways in protecting your loved ones from harm.  Let’s start talking about the things you can do to immediately to lower the likelihood of crime at your home. Criminals don’t like to work too hard — any delay increases their chance of getting caught. So let’s start out by making break-in “entrances” as inconvenient as possible. Always check to make certain that you are keeping your doors and windows locked when you’re about to leave home and leave it vacant.  Your outside doors should be of very good quality being built of a solid core, metal or wood. The door hardware is extremely important too.  These should be of a Grade A and should have deadbolt locks with a 1-inch throw; with the hinges on the interior of the door.  The door jamb itself could have a unique set of steel sleeves that reinforce the weak points on a door to help prevent intruders from kicking them in. There is a product called Door Jamb Armor that helps reinforce the jamb, hinges and the lock area of the door and offers unparalleled protection against kick-ins. 

Consider ways in which to protect your basement window wells or ground level windows.  A simple steel grate could prevent a burglar from entry to this area. Help prevent costly vandalism too by covering your basement or ground floor windows with Lexan®, Plexiglas® or some other form of protection. Trim your shrubbery and trees so there are fewer places to hide- and so a passersby can see your home more clearly. Remember, ladders shouldn’t be left near the home, giving intruders an easy access to upper floors. Chain them or store them in your garage. If you are considering fencing, it should allow visibility through it, so as to prevent access while still providing good visibility.

You should also remove possible fuel sources from your home. Also remember to keep gasoline and flammable solvents in a locked storage area away from your home.  

Finally, let’s look at your outside lighting. Criminals need to work out of sight or in darkness. You can deny them that cover easily, with a little planning and foresight. Make sure that there is sufficient lighting on all sides of your home-and pay particular attention in making certain that your entrances are well lit. Your parking areas need adequate security lighting. Security lights with automatic timers are best, supplemented with motion detecting lights. Are you able to see valuable items visible through your windows? Like computers or video equipment? Please remember to close your curtains or blinds at night, so that your valuables are out of sight. It’s also a good idea to keep some interior lights and TV’s on timers when you’re away. Most burglars will avoid homes that might be occupied, or if they might be seen by an outside passersby. Finally, ask your local police to regularly patrol your area and neighborhoods.

Related Content:
Protect Your Valuables from Home Burglary
3 Ways to Prevent a Home Invasion
Home Security Tips 

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