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6 Budget-Friendly Ways to Scare Off Burglars

Use these six tips to protect your home from burglars.

Living in a beautiful, tranquil neighborhood makes crime a lot less likely--but there's nothing out there that can make it impossible.

Criminals often diligently seek out neighborhoods where people are likely to have the most expensive goods for them to steal.

We've all heard about burglars who take weeks to "case" specific homes, learning them inside and out before finally breaking in to snatch some valuables. It's true that most burglaries do not happen on the spur of the moment, but the criminals must see an opportunity to strike.

By making your home even a little bit more difficult to target, you can protect yourself. Luckily, there are lots of quick and inexpensive ways for any homeowner to do it.

Let's look at six simple tactics that can make the difference:

Add a "Beware of Dog" Sign
We've all seen this in countless television shows, but there's a reason it's a cliché – it works. A dog is a dangerous and unpredictable element that can make it much harder to get into and out of a property without being noticed. With that in mind, even if you have an actual dog, you need to advertise the fact for it to be effective in giving would-be burglars second thoughts.
Add a "Protected by ..." Sign
One of the most valuable parts of a home security system has nothing to do with the alarms or the technology behind them: It's the sign that you can place on your window. Like #1 above, this puts potential burglars on notice. Even those who think they know everything about home security systems will be baffled when they can't figure out what you're up to.
Use Motion-Activated Lights
Motion activated lights present any thief with a double-whammy. Sure, they realize that lights alone don't mean somebody is in the house. Still, bright lights will make it much more likely that a neighbor will notice something wrong, even from all the way across the street. That means they are much less likely to risk it. Use ultra-bright white lights for best results.
Secure Sliding Windows with Bars
Sliding windows are the weak point in any home. To keep burglars from exploiting them, they need to be reinforced so that smashing them in – with all the loud noise and danger – is the only way through. Luckily, you can get a security bar for $20 online or at a local hardware store. This bar sits firmly on the floor and holds the door handle in place from the inside.
Replace Door Locks with Deadbolts
It's always a good idea to re-key your newly-purchased home with a deadbolt. A deadbolt is much more difficult to move into the open position compared to a standard spring bolt lock, so it is hard to "pick." It also resists brute force assaults more effectively than a standard lock, partially because many of the internal components are made of solid steel.
Run a Fake TV or Radio
It only costs a few dollars to get a simulated television you can run all night or on a timer when you are away. This is especially effective when you combine it with some of the other tactics above. With the combination of exterior lights and realistic activity inside, criminals will have no way of ensuring you're not around. That makes them far more likely to move on fast.

Worries about crime don't need to weigh on your thoughts – even when you're away from home. Implement these six ideas and your house will be that much safer.

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6 Budget-Friendly Ways to Scare Off Burglars

Living in a beautiful, tranquil neighborhood makes crime a lot less likely--but there's nothing out there that can make it impossible.

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