We all know that living in Glenview is relatively safe. We know our neighbors and have a sense of community. However, in every town there is the concern of personal safety and property loss. And unfortunately, this even happens in the most affluent neighborhoods, where the most expensive things are owned.
While residential security systems significantly reduce the likelihood your Glenview home will become a target, a few simple low-cost and no-cost steps can safeguard your Glenview home from an intruder.
Protect Your Home with No-Cost Options
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Make sure your name is not on your mailbox. With the Internet at everyone's fingertips these days, with just your name and address, a potential intruder can get your phone number, make a call, and determine if you are home or not.
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In the evenings, keep outdoor lights on. If you leave the house for a few hours, keep some rooms lit in your home. This will make it difficult for an intruder to tell whether you are home or not. You can cut costs on your lighting bill by using fluorescent or LED bulbs.
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Make it a habit before bed to just make the rounds in your home to check windows and doors to ensure that they are locked. Locking up the house at night is simple and quick but a great way to deter intruders.
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Keep ladders and tools locked in your garage or shed. Ladders and tools left outside overnight provide intruders with a tool for entry.
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Do a regular check of the family's keys. Make sure your kids have not lost their set of keys and that it's "ok" to report lost keys. If you keep a key outside for emergencies, do not hide it in an obvious location and check periodically to ensure that it's still there.
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Regularly trim any hedges and trees close to your home's windows. The more your Glenview home is covered in thick vegetation, the easier it is for an intruder to hide.
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Communicate with your neighbors and make sure everyone has each other's phone numbers to report any strangers in the neighborhood or around your home. Let them know when you will be gone for more than a night as well so they can watch your home.
Secure Your Home the Low Cost Way
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Timers on your lights are a great option. This will ensure that, if you are away for more than a day, your lights will turn on in various rooms at different intervals to give the impression that someone is home.
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Upgrade your locks. If your locks and door knobs are on the older side, consider replacing them with new, sturdier options. Add a deadbolt at the main doors also.
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Add motion sensors to your outdoor lighting. Motion sensors are triggered by movement. If someone approaches your home, they will turn on, leaving the intruder exposed. This is also a more eco-friendly and economical option than just leaving your lights on all night.
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If you have been stalling the kids on getting a family dog, think twice. A barking dog will draw attention to your home and can frighten an intruder away.
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Safeguard your basement windows with simple window alarms and security bars.
Just because you may have a state-of-the-art alarm system, you can also give yourself peace of mind and increase your home's overall security with little to no extra costs.
When it's time to sell your home, an alarm system and these alternative security options will impress potential buyers.
When you are ready to sell your Glenview home, contact The Marla Schneider Team. Buying and selling a home is one of the biggest events in your life. As top Glenview, Northbrook and Wilmette REALTORS®, we have the experience and track record you are looking for. Please let us help.
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