Scare Away Burglars

One of the best ways to save money on homeowner's insurance premium is to better protect your home against potential intruders. There are many ways that you can increase the safety of your home. For instance, you could build a panic room to protect yourself if you are staying at home alone. But what about when you are not around? Maybe you want to install a home security system – or maybe not. But no matter what, you should consider the many options that are available to you.

Here are some tricks and tips to better protect yourself as well as your property.

Outside your Home

1. Get rid of lower limbs of trees that may allow easy access to a window.
2. Do not let bushes get overgrown. These are perfect hiding places for burglars.
3. Plant thorn bushes close to first floor windows. Just make sure that there is no room for anybody to get between the bush and the window.
4. Install motion lights or standard lights that you can turn on when you leave home.

Inside your Home

1. Never leave a window open if you are going to be leaving home. Although you may do this in case you lose your keys, it is never a good idea.
2. Make sure the locks on all your windows are sturdy. Remember, a quick jolt should not jar open a window. This is a common problem in older homes.
3. Do not hang keys next to a window. Crooks know this trick, and will simply break the window and reach for them.

Entering through the Front Door

1. Buy a metal or solid core wood door. Hollow core doors can easily be kicked in, and give burglars easy entrance.
2. If a door has outside hinges you may consider replacing them with inside ones. This may not be possible, and in this case you should use pinless hinges.
3. Make sure that if your doors roll that they cannot be lifted off the track.