4 Ways To Improve Your Home's Security

Burglaries are becoming more and more common. In fact, there are 2,000,000 home break-ins in the United States every year. The mere thought of your loved ones in danger and property in peril can definitely make it more difficult to sleep at night. However, if you take some extra steps, you can make your home safer. Here are four effective ways to improve your home's security:

Put Your Interior Lights on Timers

Burglars are more likely to burglarize a house if they think no one is home. If you have to leave the house for a few hours in the evening, you should still give the illusion that someone is home. You can do this by putting all the lights in your home on timers. If burglars drive by and see these lights on, they are more likely to assume someone is home and leave.

Install Deadbolt Locks

If you do not already have deadbolt locks on your doors, you should give serious consideration to installing them. These locks are stronger than standard locks, so they are harder to break. Because it takes more time and effort to break a deadbolt lock, burglars may not think it is worth the risk and leave the premises. A deadbolt lock will cost you between $30 and $50, according to Home Security Systems Guide. If you do not feel comfortable installing this lock yourself, you should have an experienced locksmith do the job.

Don't Hide Your Keys in Your Mailbox

Many homeowners hide spare keys in their mailboxes in case they get locked out of the house. This sounds like a good idea on paper, but it can actually backfire. An experienced burglar knows where people keep their spare keys and will see it as an opportunity to break in your house. Instead of hiding a spare key, have a trusted neighbor hold on to it.

Put Away Your Ladder

It is easy to forget about your ladder after a home improvement project and just leave it on the ground. However, neglecting to put your ladder away can give burglars easy access to your home. All they have to do is put the ladder up against your home, climb up and sneak in through a window. Do not forget to put your ladder where intruders can't access it, such as a locked shed.

Following these helpful tips can improve your safety inside your home.