How to Keep Burglars From Making Your Home a Target

Having your home broken into is one of the scariest and stressful things to go through, whether you were home at the time or not. While you may not be able to completely prevent a break-in, there are ways to reduce the risk. Follow these tips for trying not to become a target.

Install Motion-Activated Lights 

One thing that burglars don't like is being on display and possibly getting caught. They will be drawn to homes that have their front porch lights turned off and a home that looks to be vacated. You can deter them by either keeping your outside lights turned on at all times, or having motion-activated lights. If they get too close to the front or back door of your home, the lights will go on. Not only does this make them more visible, but it often makes them think someone is home. They will likely leave before attempting to break into your home.

Don't Make it Obvious You Are on Vacation

Make sure you don't give out warnings to burglars that you are not at home and haven't been for a while. If you are going on vacation, have a neighbor pick up your newspapers every day and get the mail from your mailbox. You can also put temporarily holds on the mail, newspapers, and magazine deliveries. If a burglar sees that you have five newspapers piled up on your driveway, they will assume you aren't home. You might also want to get home automation that allows you to turn on lights and your television from a remote location so that it looks as if you are home.

Trim Trees and Bushes Around the Home

If you have a lot of tall trees and big bushes around the perimeter of your home, it is best that you keep them trimmed. These are giving burglars a place to hide where they won't be seen from the street. This unfortunately is giving them a great reason to choose your home over another one. You shouldn't be providing any shaded areas that offer them a convenient place to hide.

Have a Home Alarm System

You may not always be able to deter them from making your home a target, but it is a good idea to at least have a home alarm system. The alarm will go off if the burglar tries to open a door, window, or the garage door. It might even scare them off to prevent the actual theft.