Easy Ways to Increase the Security of Your Home

While home security devices may be the most obvious way in which to protect your home from intruders, there are other improvements you can make and practices you can employ in order to keep criminals away.

First of all, make sure your doors are secure. Any loose doorknobs, hinges, or doorframes may be an invitation for a robbery. Secure these fixtures or purchase new ones. If necessary, purchase a new door preferably steel, with windows that cannot be broken in order to unlock the door from the inside. A door with windows, however, can still contain a deadbolt that locks from the interior with a key (instead of a turn-dial), and still be secure.

A storm or screen door may do little to prevent a break-in. You may want to invest in a wrought-iron or metal scrollwork door. While someone who really wants in still might find a way to get past the metal door, they will be deterred by the potential time it would take to do so.

Window locks should be in working order. It may be desirable to install bars on lower-level windows. In addition, windows should have the proper interior coverings blinds or curtains so that potential burglars are unable to see what is inside the home. Burglars are less likely to break into a home if they dont know what valuables are contained within.

Its a tried-and-true practice, but leave a light or two on while youre gone. If it looks like someone is home, most potential intruders will stay away. In addition, a Beware of Dog sign will deter many criminals even if you dont own a dog. The possibility of being bitten by an angry beast does not appeal to even those who would try to steal your valuables.

Keep money, jewelry, and other expensive items well-hidden or under lock-and-key in a safe. In the event of a break-in, you will suffer fewer damages than if your valuables were in plain site. Especially valuable items should be taken to a safety deposit box at a bank.

If you are worried about home security, there are many things you can do to make you and your home more secure. Using multiple thief-deterrent practices can increase safety and thwart break-ins before they start.

House Sitters

Even if you have an alarm system, house sitters are invaluable. If you leave your home to to on vacation, your best defense is having actual people in your home. The majority of burglaries in the United States happen during the day while people are at work. Criminals will take the easiest route. If people are in their targeted home, they will move on to a house that appears empty. The problem with traditional house sitting services is that they simply make one or two trips to your home a day to collect mail, open curtains, water plants, and throw off criminals. That still leaves about 23 hours in the day that your home is vulnerable to intrusion or fires.

The best house sitting option is to have people living in your home. If you have house sitter stay at your home full-time throughout the length of your vacation, you will worry less about burglaries, fires, and other problems such as coming back to a flooded home because of a broken hot water heater.

Having a house sitter also cuts down on preparation time and expenses before your vacation. You wont have to have your mail stopped (all a criminal has to do is watch your postal carrier skip your house to assume youre on vacation), buy and set light-timers, or even board the dog.

Dont have a friend or family member who can stay at your home? There are services available that match up people and live-in house sitters. Its as though someone is renting your house while youre on vacation, only they generally dont pay you rent. They will pay utilities, mow the lawn, take care of your mail, pets, and home while youre away. They will notify you of any problems. The services help you screen candidates and find the perfect person, couple, or family willing to take care of your home.

Author Ian White is founder of housecarers.com Housesitting Directory Find responsible House Sitters to Secure your Home and care for your Gardens and pets while you are away. You deserve a break from the responsibilites of home ownership.