Every year, there are over 2.2 million burglaries in the United States; a burglary happens every 15 seconds. Home robberies account for 70 percent of the crimes with the numbers spiking during the summer months. July and August are the months with the highest number of home robberies.
There’s no doubt that home protection is a priority for every homeowner but the costs of home security can get out of hand sometimes. After all, not everyone has the budget for sophisticated security and alarm systems.
Fortunately, you don’t need to burn your budget to protect your home. Many of the best security providers offer budget-friendly packages that include high-level alarm systems or even a euro profile cylinder lock. Also, simply adding more locks to your windows and doors can keep thieves out.
There are many DIY home security solutions you can do to protect your property from criminals without spending too much. Consider the following suggestions.
Secure The Boundaries
Spikes are often used to keep foxes, cats and other unwanted animal visitors. However, they are also helpful in keeping burglars away.
As a standard operating procedure, robbers are looking for easy targets and points of access. Many burglars gain access to homes by climbing over walls and fences. They are least likely to enter your house if your boundaries are protected with wall spikes, which are affordable and easy to install. If you have walls around your home, paint it with anti-climb paint to make it more difficult for robbers to access you’re your house.
Update Your Locks
Are your locks damaged? Are any of your locks easy to pick or bump open? Could strangers be keeping extra keys to your home without your knowledge? If you said “yes” to all three questions, it’s time to replace your locks or at least re-key them. For all of your exterior doors, enhance your security by installing Grade 1 deadbolts. A Grade 2 deadbolt will also work just fine.
Reinforce Windows, Doors and Locks
You can have rock solid locks but if your windows, doors and other hardware are flimsy and weak, your strong locks will be useless. A good kick or slam to the door can give burglars instant access to your home in seconds.
Don’t give them this advantage. Instead, inspect entry points, especially those on the first floor. Reinforce, replace or repair them as needed. Consider the following ideas:
- Replacement of doors. Consider replacing exterior doors that are broken, think or have a hollow-core. Strengthen your doors by adding more support with a security bar or a door barricade.
- Improve your door hardware. Make sure the strike plate is properly installed. This is the metal piece on the door jamb where the lock’s bolt enters. This ensures the bolts can’t be easily forced out of the jambs.
- Sliding doors. Place a dowel in the tracks or add an auxiliary foot lock to prevent burglars from forcibly opening the door.
- Strengthen your windows. Add window bars or locks to keep burglars out of your home.
Install A Dummy Alarm
If a full alarm system is out of your budget (although there are affordable options available), consider installing a dummy alarm. These literal “false alarms” are easy-to-install onto the external walls of your home. They are also effective at deterring robbers.
Make sure that you install a dummy alarm that has lights so that it looks authentic. You can also ask local security experts about the best dummy alarms in the market. Fake cameras or signs are also great additions to your budget-friendly home security systems.
Be Smarter About Your “Hide-A-Key” Strategy
Many homeowners are cliché when it comes to hiding their spare keys. Most of them prefer to hide the key under the welcome mat or in a nearby plant pot.
These strategies work, but not always. Instead of using traditional key hiding strategies, be wiser. For instance, you can give an extra key to a trusted family member or friend who lives nearby. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of giving your neighbor a spare key, find unexpected hiding places. You can also switch up the places you hide your keys.
Another method is picking an affordable combination lockbox. Install this in a concealed place. The best part is the installation doesn’t cost anything.
Sleep better at night knowing your home is protected and your budget is intact. Your budget need not keep you from protecting your home. There are many affordable options in the market plus a little budgeting can go a long way, too! Protect your home without breaking the bank.
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