Every once in a while, we hear about a recent outbreak of robberies on the local news. Burglars often target a certain area or neighborhood and hit unsuspecting homeowners, often in the middle of the day! Don’t be an easy target. Lock all doors and windows every time you leave the house and at night before you go to bed, even if you think you live in the safest neighborhood in Iowa. Take note of these seven other ways to prevent home theft as well. Implementing one or several of them just might prevent you from becoming a victim.
7 TIPS FOR PREVENTING HOME THEFT
1. Make Noise
When everyone leaves for the day, consider leaving on the radio to create the illusion that someone is at home. A prowler might buy it.
2. Get a “Dog”
If you have a dog, you’re already less likely to become a target for burglary than someone without one, so congratulations! Burglars hate dogs. If you don’t have a dog, consider getting a “BEWARE OF DOG” sign to put up where prowlers will take notice.
3. Rethink Your Hiding Place for Valuables
According to Houseworth, a theft expert, the first stop for burglars is usually the master bedroom, since many people store their valuables and expensive jewelry there (and thieves know it). Don’t make it so easy for a robber to locate your money and valuables. Instead, hide them in another room, or better yet, in a place other than your home.
Some bad (obvious) places to hide things inside your home:
- under your mattress or nightstand
- in your dresser
- in a medicine cabinet
- out in the living room or dining room (where easily accessible)
Some better hiding places, where a burglar is less likely to search when going through your house quickly:
- attic
- basement
- broom closet
4. Post Signs
Speaking of incorporating that dog sign into your landscaping, also consider adding another sign: Home Security. Even if you don’t have a home security system, which we highly recommend, you may be able to trick someone out of breaking in without it by putting up a sign. This cheap alternative could keep a burglar from targeting you and, instead, encourage him to move into another house nearby without any sign of protective security in place.
5. Add Motion Sensor Lights
Burglars like targeting dark homes at night where they think no one is home. If you have a motion sensor light, however, this could easily deter a robber from breaking into your home, whether you’re at home or away.
6. Install a Home Security System
If you can afford it, the best way to prevent being burglarized is to install a home security system. No burglar in his or her right mind wants to be caught on camera. Make sure everyone in your home knows how to operate your alarm system if/when you do have it installed. You don’t want your home to be like the boy who cried wolf, with your alarm system falsely sounding over and over again until others no longer take notice.
7. Secure Your Garage Door
Garage doors have become easy targets for burglars. Don’t leave your garage door open while you’re gone. That may sound obvious, but unsuspecting homeowners have fallen victim to break-ins due to careless actions like leaving a door open or unlocked, assuming nothing would ever happen to them.
Consider upgrading to a LiftMaster door operator for additional security. Incorporate LiftMaster MyQ technology to monitor, open, and close your garage door remotely and receive alerts on your smartphone when someone leaves your door open.
Final Tips
If you are at home when your house is being robbed, don’t attempt to confront the burglar! Immediately leave your house (out a nearby door or window), and go to a neighbor’s house to call 911. Wait there in safety until the police arrive. While most burglars will avoid confrontation, some do come armed and are therefore dangerous. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way.
If your home has been robbed once, don’t think it won’t happen again. You are actually MORE susceptible to robbery than those who have never been robbed. The burglar now knows the layout of your home as well as its contents. It may be time to take all of the above precautions.
GARAGE DOORS IN IOWA
Would you like to learn more about commercial and residential garage doors, operators, maintenance, repair, tips, and local events? Subscribe to our blog!