Home security has become a serious concern in recent years. While some GTA residents invest in state-of-the-art alarm systems, a lot of people are looking for lower-budget home security ideas that will simply minimize potential risk. After all, people do not keep valuables in their homes anymore, and many find it that installing an alarm system creates more inconvenience to home residents than to the thieves.
Take a good look at your house and answer these simple questions to assess theft risks:
Is your house in the busy part of the city or a more secluded area?
- Do you travel often?
- Would you say your area is generally safe to live in?
- Is your routine predictable?
- Are you aware of frequent break-ins in the area?
- Are there any side windows and doors in your house that are hidden from view?
- Are the doors or windows clearly visible to neighbours? Or are they obstructed by some landscaping feature?
How Can You Secure Your Home without an Alarm?
It is no secret that burglars break into houses through doors and windows, and in rare cases, through a garage door entry. If it looks like it will take more time to break into the house or it will create too much noise, most burglars will simply not bother. Securing your doors and windows will, pretty much, win the battle.
Burglar-Proof Doors
Burglar-proofing your doors is a wonderful way to guarantee the safety of your house and your loved ones. Try out the following tips and tricks for secure, impenetrable doors:
- Install a deadbolt lock that can only be opened with a rotating key, making entry a lot more difficult.
- If there is a glass panel on a door, make sure it is shatterproof or reinforced with metal decorative elements that will prevent the glass from easily breaking.
- Do not leave a spare door key under the doormat. Burglars know where to look and leaving a key under the mat means you are giving them your belongings on a silver platter.
- Replace the lock with a keyless entry lock.
- Always make sure to lock the backyard gate.
Burglar-Proof Windows
Home security experts recommend paying extra attention to first-level and basement windows because they are at a higher risk of being broken through by burglars. The following are some methods you can use to secure your windows:
- Do not leave any windows open when you leave the house.
- Make sure your windows are shatterproof and cannot be easily broken into.
- Consider installing double-pane windows as they are more secure than single-pane ones.
- Use horizontal planks to deadbolt the windows on the ground floor.
Cheap Home Security Ideas
When you theft-proof your house, remember that burglars are looking for quick and quiet entry opportunities, and they prey on empty houses. They will never risk it if they are not absolutely certain the house is empty. However, there are some easy and inexpensive ways in which you can trick burglars into thinking your house is one to avoid:
- Keep your cars in the garage; it makes it difficult for the potential burglars to figure out your routine.
- Stick a “Beware of dog!” sign by the back and front door. Even the prospect of potential noise will be enough to scare thieves away.
- Install a few fake surveillance cameras around your property to give the illusion your house is constantly monitored.
- When you leave the house, turn the radio or TV on; it will create the impression that someone is in the house.
- Install spotlights in dark areas of the garden.
- Install motion-activated lights by the back or side doors.
- Use curtains and blinds, and keep them closed on the first floor to prevent potential burglars to peek in and assess your valuables.
If you travel frequently or when you go away for a long time, home security experts advise the following:
- Make sure your mail does not pile up on the doorstep because that is a tell-tale sign there are no occupants in the house.
- Make sure your grass is cut in the summer and the snow plowed in winter while you are away.
- Do not leave your garbage bin outside for the entire time you are out of the house.
- Leave a couple of lamps in the house on timer mimicking your usual routine.
- Have a designated person check up on your house every once in a while to make it seem like there is activity in your property.
These simple steps will not only add peace of mind but will help you secure your windows and doors. You can now burglar-proof your house without breaking the bank and having to and disarm annoying alarm every time you step out to grab a package. If you want to upgrade your existing doors or replace your windows with more secure ones, contact windows and doors installation experts in the GTA.
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