No matter where you live, keeping your house secure should be your top priority. Burglaries and break ins are far too common across the country to ignore. Burglars are more likely to live close to you, strike in the middle of the day when you’re away at work and the kids are at school.

These shady criminals are getting more sophisticated and creative over the years. Most invaders simply walk in through the front door or a slightly ajar window when they’re sure no one’s home. However, 30% of burglaries still take place when someone is at home. This means that beyond the cost of losing your valuables, your loved ones are facing the risk of an unsecured property.

Securing your family home is now absolutely crucial. Here’s what you can do:

1.  Secure doors and windows

Police statistics suggest that more than one-third of all burglars enter through the front door. Usually they kick in the door or pick the locks. It’s also really easy to break the window or slip in through a small gap.

There’s a lot you can do to cut the risk of a burglary simply by securing the doors and windows. Make sure all windows have locks and that they’re shut tightly when you’re away. Replace your door with a heavy metal or wooden door that’s harder to kick in. Use a heavy-duty deadbolt to lock the place up at night when everyone’s off to bed.

2.  Limit what you share on social media

Here’s a little known tip on securing your house – don’t overshare on social media. Make sure your partner and kids know it’s not okay to tell people when the family is away or give out details about the house on a social platform online. Increasingly, burglars use social media as part of their surveillance process before striking a house. A few Instagram pictures or a single tweet is all it takes to let everyone know your whereabouts.

3.  Conceal wiring or go wireless 

Home security systems are essential, but exposed wires leave them vulnerable. Cutting a single wire on the exterior of the building can cut the power supply to the whole house, rendering the security system useless. Make sure all the wires are neatly concealed and impenetrable. Personally we have a wireless system installed that we were able to fit and run with minimal effort. Although it was paramount to ensure that we had the best internet for rural areas as we are out in the sticks.

4.  Change the locks and keys regularly

The easiest way to break into a house is to use the keys to the front door. Simply by replacing the locks and keys to your house you cut the risk of being a victim of a break in. Make sure you change the locks when you move into a new house or rent out a new apartment. Switch the locks on your family home every three to five years.

5.  Install a smart system

A comprehensive security system lets you monitor the house, prevent break ins and protect your family from intruders. Fingerprint scanners for all the doors, a motion sensor for the perimeter, security lights that are activated by motion, and tons of surveillance cameras should do the trick.

As a homeowner, securing the property is your biggest responsibility. Burglaries are getting increasingly frequent and sophisticated. Keep up with the attackers and secure your family with these protocols and security systems.

*Collaborative post*