When it comes to securing your home, it pays to look at the place through the eyes of a burglar. It can be hard to put yourself in the shoes of a criminal, but taking that step allows you to spot potential problems you may otherwise have missed.
Securing the perimeter of your home is a vital first step in protecting your home and your family, and that perimeter defense has two basic components. You already secure your exterior doors with strong locks, including modern deadbolts, but what are you doing to protect your windows? Here are some key things you need to know about window security and keeping your home safe from burglars.
Pay Attention to Landscaping
The landscaping around your home can be a burglar’s best friend, so look for elements the bad guys could use to conceal their whereabouts. Allowing shrubs to become too tall and overgrown is always a bad idea, not just for curb appeal but for safety as well.
Look at those landscape elements with the eyes of a burglar. Are they easy to hide behind? Could they provide concealment as you jimmy a window in the middle of the night? If so, it is time to get out your hedge trimmers.
Use Window Alarms to Boost Your Security
You might think you would immediately here a window breaking in the middle of the night, but can you really rely on your ears in such a situation? If you really want an early warning, you need to install alarms on your windows, and make sure that every window in your home is protected.
Installing window alarms provides a number of important benefits, starting with the deterrent factor. If a would-be burglar tries to open a window and is greeted by an ear-splitting noise, they are unlikely to hang around and wait for the police. Even if the burglar is bold enough to continue, the alarm will give you time to call 911 and summon help to your home.
Do Not Neglect Unused Windows
Chances are you do not use every window in your home, and it is easy to overlook security on those underused parts of your home. From the tiny windows in the basement to the windows facing the guest room, these points of entry could be weaknesses in your exterior defense.
Take the time to check every window in your home, whether you have opened it recently or not. Make sure the windows are securely latched and locked, and that there are no weaknesses in the window frames that could make a break in easier.
Securing your home means taking a close look at every part of your home, including the windows. The tips listed above can help you keep your family safer and more secure, giving you one less thing to worry about.
