Tips to Make a Home Less Vulnerable to Criminals

Property crimes may be more common than you think.

Data from the Council on Criminal Justice shows residential burglaries fell 26% in 2023 compared to 2019. However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation says that nearly seven million property crimes were committed in 2019, meaning there were still more than five million such crimes committed in 2023.

Homeowners know how important it is to protect themselves, their loved ones and their valuables. Locking doors at night is a protective measure that anyone can use, but there are a number of additional measures individuals can take to make their home less vulnerable to criminals.

Use some simple solutions. The Insurance Information Institute recommends using simple security devices such as padlocks, door and window locks, grilles, bars and deadbolts. These devices may not prevent burglars from entering a home, but they can increase the time it takes for criminals to gain entry. This can be enough to deter criminals and give homeowners and neighbors more time to recognize and report suspicious people hanging around homes.

Regularly assess existing security devices. Locks, security cameras and additional devices are an effective deterrent, but only if they work properly. Security devices are easily overlooked, but routine inspections can ensure they continue to serve as a security gate between residents and criminals.

Install a burglar alarm system. Burglar alarms can be an effective deterrent and can even help homeowners save money on their insurance policies. The Electronic Security Association estimates that home alarm systems can save homeowners up to 20% on their insurance costs. Such savings can offset the cost of purchasing and installing burglar alarm systems. Homeowners who doubt the effectiveness of burglar alarms in deterring crime should know that a study by researchers at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, which examined the habits of burglars, found that 60% object to property break-ins who they found out had burglar alarm systems.

Prune trees and shrubs around your home. Privacy trees and shrubs can make it difficult for passersby to see into a home from a nearby street or sidewalk. However, such functions can also provide hiding places for criminals who want to gain access to a property. Regularly prune trees and bushes near doors and windows so they don’t inadvertently serve as cover for criminals.

Illuminate the outside. Outdoor lighting has become very popular among homeowners because of its aesthetic appeal. But lights around walkways and throughout the landscape also illuminate the outside of a home, making it harder for criminals to move around unnoticed. Spotlights and motion detection lights can alert homeowners when someone is outside, and such lighting can also make it easier to spot criminals on outdoor cameras, which can deter burglars.

There is no shortage of options for homeowners to make their property less vulnerable to criminals.

-Metro media connection