Many people don’t realise that they actually invite thieves into their home. Of course, you don’t open the door and say, ‘would you like a cup of tea while you ransack my house?’ - you just do things that make it easy for a thief to enter your home, or even simply identify you as a target.
Deterring Thieves The Right Way
If you’re going to avoid deterring thieves, you first need to know the things that homeowners do to invite them in. Here’s a rundown: Leaving keys in a place that is easily accessible, such as by a window or letterbox. Not locking the door every day. Some thieves even strike while the residents are home! Hiding keys outside - many thieves will know where homeowners hide keys and will look for them to let themselves in. Failing to keep up with home maintenance that helps to keep a home secure. These are just a few of the main things homeowners will do that make thieves identify them as a target. So, how can you start deterring them?
Put All Of Your Valuables In A Safe Place
Many homeowners like to keep a spare key somewhere just in case of emergencies, however, they usually leave this in a place where thieves will easily guess. If you absolutely must leave a spare key, don’t leave it under a matt or a brick. How about purchasing a realistic looking fake rock that is hollow inside, and put the key in there? You could then place this in your garden somewhere. Alternatively, you could leave a spare key with a friend or family member that you trust. Never leave keys by the window, and don’t have your expensive items on show. If you display some of your most prestigious items by the window, then a thief is definitely going to try their luck with your home.
Look Into Hiring Outside Services
If you have an elderly parent living with you at home, a vulnerable family member, or even if you’re a high profile family, you might prefer to look into hiring an outside service to help you keep an eye on your home. Residential security patrols are a good option for this. They are an investment, but if you think you may automatically be a target for thieves, then it’ll be worth it for your peace of mind. If a thief or criminal knows that an elderly or vulnerable person lives at an address, they may think that taking a chance there will pay off.
Take Serious Security Measures
If you’re serious about protecting your home, then you need to take some serious security measures. You could purchase CCTV to install around your home - or even fake CCTV if you’re on a budget. Just the look of CCTV is enough to deter criminals from coming anywhere near your home. Security alarms that are properly installed and effective will also help you. Getting a dog isn’t something you should do for security purposes alone, but it definitely helps!
