For anyone who has ever had the misfortune of having a home broken into or personal belongings stolen, it can be devastating. Knowing someone else has been in your home can be frightening, as well as heartbreaking. Luckily, there are some easy and affordable ways that can secure your home and lower your chances of being the victim of a break-in.
1. Ring Camera
Stop thieves from stealing packages off your front porch. Install a video doorbell. It’s easy to set up and use and costs about $100. It’s the fastest way to show porch pirates they’re being watched. You can also use it to see who is at your door and make sure all your packages and food deliveries are handled carefully.
2. Install a Small Safe
Small safes are available at most hardware stores for as little as $100. Make sure you get one that can be mounted inside a closet or under a cupboard so a thief can’t simply pick it up and walk away with it. Use it to store expensive jewelry, watches, and petty cash that you keep on hand.
3. Window and Door Alarms
These little gadgets can be installed on your doors and windows and triggered when opened. They omit a high-pitched wail that is sure to scare off any intruder. They come in a variety of different price points; some of them can even be linked to your phone so you can monitor your house when you are away. They can also be picked up at most hardware stores for under $100.
4. Slider Door and Window Jammers
In addition to setting up those alarms, you can use one of the cheapest and oldest tricks in the book to keep those sliding doors secured. Get a heavy-duty wooden spool and size it so it fits in the slider. Or, saw a broomstick down to size and place it in the track in the door. This makes it nearly impossible for an intruder to slide open the door from the outside.
5. Motion Detector Lights
These lights can vary in price depending on the type you want. If you don’t want to run electricity or don’t have electricity available, many lights come with solar panels to keep them charged. A single light can cost as little as $50, detect motion, and send a flood light over your property. Burglars hate being seen, so that should encourage them to avoid your home.
6. Reinforce Your Doors
As strong as your door is, it can be kicked down with enough force or body weight. Home security experts say that replacing the 3-inch screws on a door jam with 6-inch screws to get a stronger hold on the stud. You can also install a heavy-duty strike plate that runs 48 inches down the side of your door to make it impossible for even the strongest thieves to penetrate.
7. Anti-Bolt Cutter Locks
If you need to lock up a shed or garage, get some locks that bolt cutters can’t cut through. Most thieves aren’t going to carry around a noisy saw or grinder. Search for these locks in your local hardware store or online. They’re usually under $25 and worth the added protection.
8. A Secured Mailbox
Your personal mailbox can hold some valuable information that identity thieves would love to get their hands on. Many mailboxes are on the street and away from the house, so they’re hard to monitor. Installing a lock can be done in five minutes and for less than $20. How easy is that for a little peace of mind?
9. Document Shredder
Believe it or not, one of the easiest ways for a person to steal your identity is by digging through your trash. These identity thieves are smart and look for credit card bills, bank statements, tax documents, or pay stubs that you might casually away. The best way to avoid this is with a document shredder. Burglars usually ditch your trash cans once they see you’re smart enough to shred those important papers.
10. Security Cameras
Technology has advanced so much in the past couple of decades that security cameras are very affordable. Most come with sensor lights, can be linked to your smartphone, and store video in the cloud. This might be the quickest way to let intruders know you’re not messing around. No one wants to be caught red-handed and given a go-directly-to-jail card.
11. Alarm System
I know what you’re thinking: home alarm systems are expensive. However, do some research. Some DIY systems can be installed for as little as $250. In addition to the alarm, you can put a sign on your front lawn, letting the bad guys know you have a system. That will help keep them away.
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