7 Immediate Fixes for Home Burglary Prevention
Seven proven home security methods reduce burglary risk by 60% without expensive systems. These practical steps cost under $50 total and take 2-3 hours to implement. You can significantly protect your home without a home security system by using strategic lighting, smart landscaping, quality hardware, and simple behavioral changes that deter 80% of opportunistic thieves.
1. Your house lights should remain on.
Strategic Lighting Costs Just $2-5 Monthly
Porch lights cost only $2-5 monthly to operate continuously. LED bulbs use 85% less energy than incandescent options, making this the most cost-effective home security investment available.
Motion-Activated Systems Provide Maximum Deterrence
Motion-activated lighting startles intruders and alerts neighbors to suspicious activity. You should install motion sensors covering blind spots around your home’s perimeter, focusing on entry points like back doors and basement windows.
Interior Lighting Creates Occupied Appearance
You should leave 2-3 interior lights on different circuits when traveling. Smart timers ($15-25 each) automatically vary lighting patterns, making your absence less obvious to potential burglars watching your routine.
A Smart Home Security System can program lights to operate on pre-set schedules using specified times, approximate times or even based on the time of sunrise and sunset for that day.
2. Selective landscaping deters intruders.
Entry Points Need Clear Sight Lines
You should trim shrubs below 3 feet near windows and doors. Overgrown vegetation provides cover for burglars attempting entry. Clear sight lines from street to all ground-floor windows and doors must remain maintained.
Defensive Vegetation Creates Natural Barriers
Thorny plants like roses, barberry, or holly should grow beneath first-floor windows. These natural barriers cost $10-20 per plant but create painful obstacles for intruders. You should avoid planting near legitimate entry points where family members might get injured.
Upper-Floor Access Routes Require Security
Tree branches extending within 6 feet of second-story windows need pruning. Outdoor ladders, garden tools, and furniture that could assist climbing require removal or securing. These items should stay in locked sheds or garages.
A security system warning sign displayed in your front yard or garden may prompt an unwelcome guest to move along to another target.
3. Your windows and doors must stay locked.
Basic Locking Prevents 40% of Break-Ins
Unlocked doors and windows account for 40% of home burglaries. This simple oversight often voids homeowner’s insurance claims, as many policies exclude negligent security practices.
Hidden Keys Create Vulnerabilities
You should never hide spare keys outside. Burglars check under mats, fake rocks, and planters within 30 seconds. Trusted neighbors can hold spare keys or keypad locks requiring no physical keys provide better solutions.
Smart Lock Technology Provides Remote Control
A Smart Home Security System can program reminders when doors remain unlocked at certain times or when everyone leaves home. A smartphone app allows you to lock or unlock doors remotely, eliminating the need to leave keys under rocks or share access codes.
4. Quality hardware improves security.
Door Hardware Upgrades Cost Under $100
Grade 1 deadbolts ($40-80) should replace basic locksets. These deadbolts meet highest security standards and resist drilling, picking, and physical attacks better than cheaper alternatives.
Strike Plates Need Reinforcement
You should replace standard 1-inch strike plate screws with 3-4 inch versions ($5-10). Longer screws penetrate door frames into wall studs, increasing kick-resistance by 300%. This 15-minute upgrade dramatically improves door security for minimal cost.
5. Advertising absence invites trouble.
Mail and Package Management Prevents Signals
Canada Post’s online system allows you to schedule mail holds for trips exceeding 3 days. Accumulated mail and packages signal vacancy to potential burglars. Neighbor pickup or postal holding provides maximum security.
Social Media Requires Careful Usage
You should avoid posting travel plans or vacation photos in real-time. Experiences shared after returning home prevent advertising your absence to social media followers and their connections.
Smart Home Monitoring Provides Peace of Mind
A smart home security system sends text or email alerts when someone enters to check your home. You can relax knowing someone has checked the home and everything remains locked and secured.
6. Strategic redecorating reduces risk.
Valuable Electronics Need Concealment
Expensive items should stay away from windows visible from streets or sidewalks. Large-screen TVs, gaming systems, and computers attract burglar attention and increase break-in likelihood by 200%.
Electronics Packaging Requires Discreet Disposal
You should break down delivery boxes before trash pickup. Large electronics boxes advertise recent expensive purchases to opportunistic thieves monitoring neighborhood garbage. Smaller box pieces or direct recycling center trips provide better options.
7. Home alarm companies provide professional protection.
Professional Assessment Identifies Vulnerabilities
Home alarm systems range from $15-100 monthly depending on features and monitoring services. Professional assessments reveal security gaps you might overlook and provide customized solutions fitting your budget.
Integrated Security Components Work Together
Modern systems combine door contacts, motion detectors, glass break sensors, and sirens for comprehensive protection. A free consultation allows a security specialist to visit your home for a full site assessment. You can ask questions, discover your options, and learn how residential security specialists customize home alarm security systems to meet your budget and security concerns.
Implementation Follows Priority Timeline
Locks and lighting need attention first (Week 1), then landscaping and behavior changes follow (Week 2-3). These foundational home security measures create multiple deterrent layers that discourage 80% of opportunistic burglars before you consider professional alarm systems.
Your house becomes a difficult target for thieves through these measures, keeping your home and valuables safe. These fixes combined with a competent, custom home alarm security system make deterring thieves simple and affordable.