Do you know what to do around your home to keep burglars at bay? There are many small things you can do around your house to help it become more burglar-proof and less open to risk. These tasks are minor items that you should be doing anyway just to keep up the quality of your house. These are a few tips to help prevent your house from being broken into: .
Invest in solid doors and good quality locks on doors and windows. This includes on all sliding glass doors as well. Make it not only difficult but also time consuming for a burglar to gain entry.· Whenever you go outside, lock the door and take the key with you, even if you are just stepping next door or out mowing the back yard.
· Don't put valuables where they can be seen from the window, especially items that can be easily carried.
· Be sure your garage door can be secured. Do not leave it open when you are away; an empty garage broadcasts your absence.
· When you aren't home, use a timer set to turn interior lights on and off at varying intervals as though your home was still occupied.
· Don't keep large amounts of cash or really valuable jewelry around the house.
· If someone comes to your door asking to use the telephone, make the call yourself. Don't invite them in.· Don't hide a spare key under the door mat or under a flower pot. Thieves know all the good hiding places.
· Plant thorny bushes under all windows. Trim back any trees or shrubs near doors and windows to eliminate hiding places for would-be thieves.
· Invest in a good security system along with motion sensor lights installed out of reach.
· Don't leave ladders outside. Keep any tools that could be used to break in your home safely locked away in a garage or shed.
· Get a barking dog or "beware of dog" signs. If you own a dog and go out of town, have someone come in and care for your dog in your home.
· Always double check doors at night and lock all windows.
· Engrave all valuables such as stereos, microwaves, video cameras, with your driver's license number. (Engraving tools are usually available through your local law enforcement agency.) Videotape the contents of your home. Keep the video and the list of all valuables in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box.
Also remember to keep your important papers in a safe place. This includes papers on your house and cars, extra credit cards and especially your insurance papers. If your house is broken into the insurance papers will be one of the first things you will need to find. Your home owners insurance may not be the only insurance papers you will need. If your house was broken into and you had a car in the driveway there is a good chance it might also have been broken into as well. Have your auto insurance papers in a safe place but someplace accessible.
Keeping your family safe and sound has to always be a high priority. To do this not only means making sure your house is as tamper proof as possible but by having your insurance policies up to date.