A security system can be pricy and it’s not the only option. Learn how to secure your home without an alarm in this article.
A break-in occurs every 26 seconds in the US. Or, in other words, that’s over 1.2 million annual burglaries. While most home insurance plans cover damage done to your home and stolen property, the victims still have to shell out for the deductible.
Many homeowners turn to an alarm or security system to secure their households. Not only is this expensive, but it’s also wildly inconvenient and can result in unnecessary emergency calls if you aren’t careful. Luckily, you can make your home safe without breaking the bank or adding new responsibilities to your busy schedule.
Peace of mind is only a few steps away. Here’s how to secure your home without an alarm.
1. Install Window Locks
The truth is a determined criminal can bust open most types of windows with ease. Those pre-installed simple latches serve as a deterrent rather than a reliable barrier.
So how do you fortify your windows on the ground floor? Get your hands on some sliding window lock pins. They’re about the same price as a candy bar, so there’s no excuse not to kit out your entire first floor.
Best of all, they’re easy to install. Drill or hammer the base of the lock into your window siding. Then, with a power drill, create an interior hole in the sliding window to seat the pin lock.
This simple solution will resist brute force and ensure a closed window stays that way.
2. Fasten Sliding Doors
Most homes feature sliding glass doors for easy patio access. While decorative, they are anything but secure. It doesn’t take much more than trial and error for a thief to pick these locks.
You can’t improve the locks as they are, but you can do more to ensure your patio doors remain shut even if the locks fail. Footlocks seat themselves in the grommet that runs along with the door. These patio door locks are sometimes available for the upper grommet if you prefer.
All you need is a power drill. Simply screw the lock into the back of the door. A pair of brackets in the grommet will prevent the patio door from moving.
Sounds easy enough. What’s the catch? You’ll need to release both sets of locks to slide the door open.
That’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
If you don’t want to pay for a fancy door lock, there’s an even easier alternative. Place a rod or bar in the grommet that’s long enough to fill most of the track. This bar will prevent your patio door from sliding ajar until it’s removed.
3. Maintain Your Landscaping
Burglars don’t target any home that catches their fancy. They first scout around for those with certain vulnerabilities that’ll make the break-in that much easier. Most thieves prioritize homes with overgrown vegetation and poor landscaping.
Why? Because this growth provides the perfect cover for burglars to get in and out without being noticed — even if someone happens to be looking outside.
It’s a good idea to trim the hedges, bushes, and trees on a regular basis. If you’re going on a vacation, hire a neighbor to manage your yard for you. You don’t want potential thieves knowing you’re not home.
And if you’re really serious about landscaping, you can use some types of vegetation to your advantage. Consider planting thorny obstacles beneath your windows. Not only are rose bushes beautiful, but they naturally deter nervous burglars, too!
4. Rely on Security Cameras
Sensors and security cameras are not expensive security ideas for your home. They’re ubiquitous, affordable, and seamless.
There are plenty of options out there depending on your budget, but most of them work the same. You’ll install a camera at a point of entry, such as the back door. Then, you install a nearby sensor that activates the camera whenever something passes by.
The camera will record for a specified amount of time and the data will automatically transfer to an online cloud using your home’s Wi-Fi network. You can also configure these devices to send text message alerts so you can check the security of your home in real-time.
For the best results, you want to put some thought into the camera and sensor placement. Otherwise, burglars could sneak around your defenses while you’re in a false sense of security.
5. Store the Essentials in a Safe
Safes aren’t just for hotel bedrooms. They are a smart investment for homeowners seeking an extra level of protection. Since most homeowner’s insurance plans will cover burglaries, it’s not a big deal if something goes missing.
Unless, of course, it’s something irreplaceable like a social security card or bank information. For documents like this, you should get your hands on a safe and keep it stored away in the busiest area of the house. If you’re worried that a burglar will sneak in at night, it makes sense to keep it under your bed.
A safe alone can deter most thieves. But if you are stashing thousands of dollars in here, make sure you purchase a safe with significant security features, such as redundant locks and heavy plating. After all, you don’t want the thief to carry your safe away and crack it open later.
How to Secure Your Home Without an Alarm
Unless you leave your home vacant for days at a time, an automatic alarm won’t see much use. It’s the small things that truly make a difference. An open, well-lit yard covered in security cameras is sure to deter even the most determined of thieves.
At the end of the day, you know how to secure your home without an alarm. Why would they rob your place when there’s a less secure home down the street?
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