The coronavirus has left thousands, if not millions, of Americans jobless. 

As a result, several people have turned to USA Crime to get by. 

Studies show that the number of break-ins has increased since lockdowns have gone into effect. And this number hasn’t gone down since. 

That is why keeping your home safe is more important than ever before. 

The good news is that keeping your home safe is surprisingly easy. 

Most burglars have one thing in common: they don’t want to get caught. 

And today, we’re giving you eight simple tips you can exploit this, secure your home, and drastically reduce the chance of your house becoming a target. 

Let’s dive in. 

1. Secure Your Front Door

Did you know that most home break-ins are not well-planned crimes? 

Most of the time, all people do is walk up to a house and barge in the front door. 

This is because standard locks are super weak. All it takes is a kick, and the door will come crashing down. 

That is why knowing how to secure your front door properly is essential. 

A simple upgrade in your lock can spell the difference between getting robbed and the thief passing by. 

2. Get a Security Camera

Another excellent way to prevent criminals is to deter them. 

Again, nobody wants to get caught while breaking into a home. The last thing they want is to be seen on camera while doing so. 

That is why by putting up security cameras, you’ll not only catch the person that breaks into your home, but you’ll prevent them from even trying!

When thieves see cameras, there’s a big chance they’ll try their luck elsewhere. 

Modern security cameras also allow you to watch your house while you’re away. They can also send you alerts when they detect suspicious motions. 

3. Barricade Windows and Sliding Doors

Another common entry point for criminals is through your windows or sliding doors. 

Now, contrary to what you might be thinking, window glass is not easy to break. 

It’s almost impossible to shatter a window or glass door with your bare fists. You’ll need a hammer to do that. 

That said, most criminals get in through unsecured windows and sliding doors. 

You see, while the glass is strong enough to withstand a beating, the locking mechanisms of windows and glass doors are not. 

That is why it is a good idea to jam a stick or bar into the sliding track of your sliding windows and doors. 

With these, there will be no way to slide open the door. The only way for the criminal to get in is through smashing the glass – which is difficult, loud, and will catch people’s attention. 

4. Pretend You’re Home

Most people think that nighttime is when burglars like to strike. However, that isn’t true. Most break-ins occur during the daytime when the owners are away at work. 

They choose this time because no one is at home. 

That is why one of the best ways to deter criminals from breaking in is to pretend you’re at home. 

Doing this is especially important if you’re away for a trip. There are several signs that thieves can pick up that you haven’t been around for a while. 

Thankfully, there are also several ways you can pretend you’re at home:

  • Use timed lights to turn on and off regularly
  • Leave the television on
  • Ask your neighbors to remove any mail you receive
  • Leave toys or books open in places where people can see
  • Ask your neighbors to use your trash bin

And more. 

Pretending you’re at home is one of the most out-of-the-box ways to secure your home. And it’s also one of the most effective.

5. Hide Your Valuables in Tricky Places

Another trick you can use is to hide your valuables in places people won’t expect. 

Everybody keeps their valuables in drawers. Because of this, that’s the first place robbers check when they get into a home. 

That’s why if you’re going to be away for a while, it’s wise to keep your valuables in places people would never expect. 

Another trick you could try is the decoy. If you have an old laptop lying around, leave that in an obvious place. When the burglar comes in, they’ll grab that and get out quickly, not realizing that it’s worthless – and that they could get far more valuable items if they chose to stick around.

6. Get a Safe

If tricky hiding techniques aren’t your cup of tea, you could get yourself a safe. 

A safe that’s heavy is impossible for the average burglar to steal. You can place all your valuables in here and have peace of mind knowing that no one can get to it. 

Also, good safes are flood and fire-proof. 

This way, no matter what happens to your home, your valuables won’t get damaged. 

7. Form a Neighborhood Watch

One thing a lot of neighborhoods across the country do is form a neighborhood watch. It’s an excellent way to improve the security of the whole community. 

With a neighborhood watch, you will have to play some part in keeping the neighborhood safe. But at the same time, you know that you’ll have people watching your house all the time. 

Together your community can keep burglars away. It’s a wonderful program to be a part of and is highly effective as well. 

8. Be Aware

Last but not least, be alert!

You never know when a burglar will strike. It can happen when you least expect it to. 

That’s why being aware of your surroundings and the people around you is critical. 

If someone is planning to break into your home, you can spot them well before they do so if you are aware. 

When you’re aware, you can spot suspicious people, vehicles, or changes. You can sniff out trouble long before it’s too late. 

So stay alert!

Conclusion

With those eight tips, you’ll keep your home safe and sound. 

In these dark and trying times, the last thing you want is for your home, your refuge, to be broken into. 

So apply these tips and keep burglars at bay!