Photos By: Martha Picciotti

A home is the most valuable asset to have. But the threat of crimes such as trespassing and burglaries is always there. Let’s look at a few ways to better home security and protection.

Strategically position your CCTV cameras

Burglars can strike at any time, and not just under the cover of night. Even if you have a CCTV system, there will still be a risk of a forced entry if the cameras are not strategically placed. Blind spots are definitely your security system’s main weakness, so it’s important that you install cameras in areas where burglars can hide.

There should be one pointed directly at the front door, positioned high enough to make the front lawn and the street visible. Likewise, you will need to install another camera at the back door, which is a favorite entry point for burglars. Make sure it also provides a good view of the backyard as well as the fence.

Though a properly installed CCTV system won’t prevent a crime from happening, it can still help authorities identify suspects, decrease your home insurance costs, and decrease the likelihood of future burglaries, according to Statistic Brain.

Upgrade your landscaping

Intruders can be very evasive. They can use the surrounding terrain in order to force their way into your home. They can hide behind bushes and trees as well as the tool shed you have out back.

If criminals can use your landscaping as cover, then you can also upgrade your landscaping to serve a more defensive purpose. You can plant thorny shrubs such as rose and holly near your windows to deter any intruders from making their way through. Plus, they will have to think twice before hiding themselves among the foliage.

Get a Guard Dog

Dogs are man’s best friends, but they can also protect your property. Check out different breeds to find your perfect guard dog. If you’re living in a high crime neighborhood, then a guard dog is your best deterrent against burglaries. For this, you can either get one from the local pound or you can have your dog undergo special K9 training.

However, it’s still important to know about the risks of professional training since you wouldn’t want your dog to be suspicious of strangers all the time, so make sure to find the right security training service.

Get your Home Insured

At the end of the day, the best way you can rest easy without the threat of a burglary to dampen your day is to have your home insured. Getting home insurance for burglaries is a great way to secure your property and your belongings from theft and damage.

That being said, it’s important to shop around and compare policies based on the level of protection you want. Allstate, for one, covers not only theft but also fire damage and hail. This gives your property all-around protection and security.

Photo: Luxe Interiors + Design

Are you concerned about the safety of your home? Every 15 seconds, there is a residential robbery in the United States. This shocking statistic exposes the level of crime that’s rising in the country. It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment in the city or a single-family home in the suburbs, everyone can benefit from improving their home security.

Here is a ten step guide to securing your property and ensuring that you and your family remain safe at night and when you are away from your home.

Add Locks to the Windows

Standard window latches aren’t built with security in mind. Most manufacturers only install a flimsy catch switch to secure the window during high wind conditions. Criminals find it easy pickings to unlock these latches and enter your home. Consider upgrading the latches to a bolt system that you can lock with a key, replace your windows with shatterproof reinforced glass, or install burglar bars to the window frames.

Birmingham Home & Garden Visit

Secure Your Doors

Almost a third of home burglaries occur with the criminals entering through the front door. Beef up the security of your home’s entrance with additional door security. Strengthen the door frame, make sure the hinges are not exposed and replace any hollow doors with a solid one. A deadbolt is a must for the final touch on securing your door.

Install an Alarm System

Sign up with a local security provider. Security systems are an essential investment in your home. Most of them will offer a basic alarm and smart technology for free if you sign up for their monthly subscription service. Take a look at the neighbors around you and see what security company is represented the most.

Photo: Magnolia Market

Make Friends with the Neighbors

Take advantage of your community and meet your neighbors, you never know when you will need them.

Stress Test the Security

Take a walk through your home and assess the security. Make sure no valuables are visible from the window and that your curtains or blinds are drawn in rooms that you are not using.

Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

Join the Community Block Watch

If you live in a neighborhood with a block watch, meet the team and the organizers and find out what you can do to help. Some communities use group message apps to alert the residents about events happening in the neighborhood.

Light Up Your Yard

While the majority of burglaries happen during the day while you are out of the house, many still occur at night. Install some motion sensor operated floodlights that go with your home’s decorating in your yard that will alert you to intruder movement.

Secure the Wall

Install security spikes on the top of the wall or an electric fence to stop people jumping over.

Photo: The Local Wanderer

Make Security Signs Visible

Most security companies will give you a few signs to put up on your wall as a visual deterrent to criminals, make sure you have them up and that they are visible.

Create an Emergency Plan

If something ever does happen and you have an intruder in the home, create a plan that you can follow when things go wrong. Set rules for your kids regarding letting people onto the property without your knowledge and teach everyone how to use the alarm system. The better prepared you are for an emergency situation, the better your chances of coming through it unscathed.