Going away for the summer? Before you leave your home here's a few safety tips to protect it that you might want to check out!
This article includes tips from the police department that can help protect our homes and keep our neighborhoods safe. Nobody wants to be a home invasion statistic; however, you might overlook the simple things that make your home more attractive to a robber. All things equal, criminals invade homes that are the easiest targets. Therefore you want to make your home look as secure as possible by avoiding these home security mistakes or common mistakes.
Your Home Looks Empty
Leave a car parked in your driveway as much as possible so it looks as if someone is home. If you are going to be away for a few days, ask your neighbor to park in your driveway at night. Don't let your mail or newspapers accumulate on your porch. Have your neighbors keep an eye out for sales flyers that get placed on your front door. These advertise to the neighborhood you aren't home to remove them. Set your trash out and bring back in your trashcan on a routine basis on trash day. If your trashcan is not on the curb it could signal a robber that you are away from your home. 
You Tell Everyone You Will Be Gone
Only tell those who need to know, like your family members and next door neighbors, when you will be gone on a trip. Be cautious when talking about your vacation plans to co-workers and casual acquaintances. Don't post your vacation plans on your Facebook page or Twitter account. Wait until you get back to share your photos and details about your trip. The fewer people in the know about your absence, the more secure your home will be.
You Provide Hiding Places For Robbers
When landscaping your yard, do so with potential home intruders in mind. Trim tree limbs away from your house so robbers can't hide in the trees and gain entry to upper floor windows. Keep bushes away from your home, particularly the windows. Keep the perimeter of your house cleared and well lit so your neighbors can see your home and you can see out to the street. Install motion detector lights so robbers can't hide in the shadows near your doors and windows.
You Make Entry Easy
Even if you install the best home security system into your home, if you don't use it properly, a robber can easily slip inside. Always keep your alarm activated and keep your doors locked even when you are home. Keep your garage locked as well as any outdoor sheds that could provide a hiding place. In addition to keeping your doors locked, make sure your windows are secure. Keep them locked or install security features that keep them from being opened wide enough to allow someone to enter. Don't forget about your doggie door. If you have a door for a large dog, a tiny robber could gain entry, or reach inside and unlock the knob.
You Flash Your Valuables
Keep your curtains closed, especially to rooms that contain items of value so robbers can't peer into your windows and assess your belongings. Be careful about strangers who come into your home to do repair work. Accompany them around your house and keep doors closed to rooms they don't need to enter. Be careful about the documents you throw into the trash. A robber could do a lot of harm without even coming into your home if you throw banking or credit card statements into the trash for him to retrieve
You Don't Have A Home Security System
Home security systems don't have to cost a lot of money or be difficult to install. If you are on a budget, you should still have a basic home security system in place. Features you might want to consider include motion detector lights, door alarms, window alarms, deadbolts, sturdy doors, and window film.
The more difficult you make it for robbers; the less likely your home will become a victim of an opportunistic crime. Keep your property safe and protect your family by avoiding these home security mistakes.
Special thanks to Jodie Luke!
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