Protecting Your Home From a Break-in

Published on August 20, 2020   Home Safety Tips

Your home is likely the biggest investment you will make in your life, so protecting it is of utmost importance. Reduce your odds of being affected by crime by taking these preventative steps.

CRIME PROOFING THE INSIDE OF YOUR HOME

The goal of indoor crime proofing is to secure your home and make it appear occupied at all times. Below are some simple tips to deter burglars from entering your home:

Secure your premises

• Close blinds and curtains at night so that a burglar can't scope out your belongings.
• Lock all doors and windows before leaving your home. 
• Lock windows so that they can't be opened from the outside. If they can't be locked, you can pin them by drilling a hole through both window frames and inserting a bolt or metal pin. The pin must be easily removable in emergency situations.

Make your home look occupied at all times

• Use timers to maintain normal lighting patterns. 
• Leave a radio on when you are away from your home for short periods of time.

 Protect your valuables

•  Consider marking or engraving your valuables with a unique identifier known only to you. 
• Keep jewelry and negotiables in a safety deposit box or an unlikely place (e.g., not your bedroom).

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CRIME PROOFING THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME

Consider buying a home security system

A 24-hour monitored alarm system provides peace of mind and security for your entire family against the possibility of home intrusion, whether you’re home or not.

Alarm systems can also monitor smoke, fire, temperature change, carbon monoxide and water escape. Alarms get help there sooner, minimizing damage and danger.

Secure your premises

• There are many things that you can do to the exterior of your home or in your yard to deter burglars and make it more difficult to force entry.
• Keep your shrubbery cut back so it doesn't block windows and doors.
• Illuminate as much of your property as possible.
• Exterior doors should be solid, not hollow. Metal doors provide the best protection against forced entry.
• Use a fencing style that won't conceal a burglar's activities. 
• Secure any glass that is less than 100 cm or 40 inches from a door lock. Either coat exterior glass with an acrylic or polycarbonate to strengthen or replace it with laminated or tempered glass.
• Door hinges that are on the outside should have a non-removable centre pin that can't be tampered with.
• Install deadbolt locks.
• Place hinged security bars over basement windows. Remember to keep the key nearby in case of emergency.
• Pin sliding patio doors together when closed. 
• Ensure that a burglar cannot access the roof from high trees or a ladder left outside.

Break-ins cost Canadian insurance companies millions of dollars each year in claim payments. This cost is shared by policyholders through increased premiums.  By making your home more secure, you can save yourself inconvenience and money.

Credits:

SGI Canada https://www.sgicanada.ca https://www.sgicanada.ca...