How to Stop a Burglary
- 1). Lock all windows and doors. Make sure all of your home's windows are tightly shut and fastened, especially when you go to sleep at night. If your window or door is open, you are essentially telling a burglar to come in. Apart from locking windows and doors, ensure your locks are tough. For example, make sure to install deadbolt locks on doors to get additional security. Burglars can identify doors and windows that are fastened weakly.
- 2). Get a home security system. A security alarm can deter a burglar. After all, the last thing a burglar wants is attention on them. When you install your security system, make sure to put a sign or sticker up that indicates its presence. Test out your system on a monthly basis to ensure it still works properly.
- 3). Use lighting properly. Outdoor lighting is helpful in stopping burglars. Put lights above all your doors, including back doors. If you are planning to leave your home for an extended period of time for a vacation or trip, leave a light on in your bathroom.
- 4). Inform your neighbors when you are going away. If you have trustworthy neighbors, it can help greatly to inform them when you are going to be away from your home for a while. This is to prevent offering burglars hints that you are away from home. Your neighbor can help pick up your mail so it doesn't accumulate and look inviting to burglars. It can also help for neighbors to maintain your lawn and park in your parking garage while you are gone. All of these things do not indicate that someone is away from home, as many burglaries take place when people have been gone for days.
- 5). Exercise caution with your answering machine and voicemail "away" messages. It is a relatively common practice for people to indicate that they are away in these messages. Avoid making yourself vulnerable to burglaries by never indicating when you will be away from home, especially if you make the time frame known to others.
- 6). Avoid tempting burglars. If you store items within sight, it can be very tempting to burglars. This includes bicycles, motorcycles, barbecues and lawnmowers. Keep them out of sight at all times.
- 7). Stay away from notes. Never leave notes on your front door that indicate that you are away from home. Some people leave notes to the mailman that they will not be around to sign for a package, for example. If a burglar knows for a fact that you are not presently home, they will not think twice about going in.
- 8). Change your locks. If you happen to lose your keys, waste no time before getting new locks. Do not take the risk or wait around. It also is important to never leave your keys out in any "covert" hiding spots, including underneath doormats and in mailboxes. Chances are the burglar has thought of these things and will look in those areas first.
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