Did you know that the average burglary will cost a family the equivalent of two months of rent or mortgage payments?
With so much at stake, it pays to invest a little bit more money into your new home’s security, while you protect your family. This doesn’t have to mean building a fence around your yard or putting bars over your windows.
Here are a few low-cost ways you can almost instantly make your new home a lot safer.
1. Upgrade Your Garage Door & Garage Door Opener
In recent years, we have seen a lot of people make it far too easy for thieves to enter their home by leaving the garage door remote in the vehicle. Even if the vehicle is locked (and too often it is not), all a thief needs to do is get their hands on your remote to gain full access to your home.
The good news is that today’s Wi-Fi enabled residential garage door openers can secure your home and keep the thieves out. First of all, they give you 24/7 monitoring and instant notification when someone tries to open your door. These openers also come with a mobile app that allows you to lock your door and set the alarm remotely.
They also take that vulnerable garage door out of the equation completely. Odds are very good that your smartphone is either in your pocket or within arm’s reach at all times, which means you can keep your old remote in the house, safely out of reach of would-be thieves.
2. Add Cameras (Real or Fake)
Thieves do not simply hit every home on a given block. They are selective and will target the home that appears to be the most accessible with the lowest amount of effort and exposure.
Thieves patrolling a neighborhood and picking a would-be target will see something like a camera and instantly move on. Whether the camera is fake or real, the home just poses too much risk and they will look for something easier.
These cameras are shockingly affordable and they are sometimes even free through many cable TV providers.
If you’re financially strapped, you can also install a convincing “dummy” camera that could still deter thieves.
3. Keep Your Travel Plans Off of Social Media
Don’t advertise the fact that your home is currently empty and will be for a week.
Yes, thieves can use your social media feed against you and get away scot-free during your getaway.
Nobody wants to come home to a ransacked home and thousands of dollars in stolen belongings. So, keep your vacation photos and updates off of social media until you get home, as tempting as it may be to upload them while you’re poolside.
Robberies are expensive, but protecting your home doesn’t have to be. As you can see, some inexpensive equipment can make a big difference, and so can being just a little bit more aware of what leaves you vulnerable.
Don’t be a victim! Keep your family and your home safe.