Photo: As a photo
Good news? You don’t have to spend thousands of people onboard a high-tech system or protecting your space. A few small changes – people you can do this weekend too – can go a long way in giving you peace of mind.
#1. Lights up the appropriate spot
Outdoor lighting can truck intruders, increase visibility around property, and make your home feel safer at night.
Motion sensor lights are the surest option here. They don’t waste electricity because they rest until something causes them, but they still do work that catches people off guard.
If you only make one change after reading this, create this. A bright house is one of the greatest deterrents there.
#2. Look closely at your door
There are things that most people don’t notice. Many intrusions occur through the front door. It’s not an underground window. It’s not a back fence. The front entrance.
Therefore, if you haven’t seen yours for a while, now is the time. The door itself must be solid – not hollow. The frame must be strong and the deadbolt should go deep enough into the frame to actually hold it if someone tries to kick it.
If the door feels a little thin, strengthening the strike plate with longer screws or adding a smart lock with stronger resistance can be a quick victory. And what if your garage has a door connected to your home? Treat it like a main entry. Lock it, strengthen it, and don’t forget it.
Photo: Diwen
#3. Trim, clear and organize the outside
Think about what your home will look like from the street. Is there a shrub that someone can hide behind? Is the front pouch covered with a package? Are tools and ladders left behind in the garden?
Robbers usually don’t work hard for the challenge. They look for opportunities. A messy or overgrown garden can sometimes look like no one else’s home.
#4. Lock everything – even what you don’t think
You will probably lock your front door. But what about the sliding door behind? Or a laundry room window? Or a gate to the side road?
Most people forget at least one area, but that’s it. Robbers don’t always break in. They often just walk where someone has forgotten to be locked up.
One good habit is to do a simple lock check before bed or when leaving the house, especially if you have passed or opened the window during the day. The goal is not to be delusional, but to remove easy access.
Photo: Michael Oxendin
#5. Make sure you look like someone’s home all the time
The things you can easily overlook are: Robbers often “case” their homes before they act. That means they look for patterns – how long the night lights are off when you’re normally out, or whether or not emails are stacked.
There can be a difference here, even a small touch. Use a timer to turn on the lights in the evening. If you’re out during the day, play radio in the background. Keep the curtains in their normal position and don’t scream “We’re not home.”
#6. Talk to your neighbor
This doesn’t cost you, but it may be one of the most underrated safety tools you have. Knowing the people who live around you, and being known in return, can make your entire block safer.
If something unusual happens, they are more likely to find it and say something. If a strange car is parked in front or someone is plunging around your yard, they’ll know it’s not right.
There is no need to organize block parties or form watch groups. Casual Hello, shared heads ups, or even simple texts, if you’re out of town, you can create an informal circle of trust that will turn your eyes to each other’s homes.
Let’s make it a final: small steps, big differences…
This is the truth: there is no 100% safe home. But that’s not the point. The goal is to make your home a more stringent target. What are most of the steps we talked about? You can start them this week. And none of them require you to use your property or install complex systems. It’s a little more intentional, a little more observational and much more aggressive.
There’s no need to crave action. Just like locking your car or closing the window before it rains, think of it simply taking care of your home.
Source: January Girl – www.lizbreygel.com
