Top 5 Home Security Strategies

Every 15 seconds, a burglary occurs in the United States, resulting in an average loss of $1,725 worth of property and leaving the victims with years of distress and fear [sources: McGoey, FBI].

In 2005 alone, this occurred over 2 million times, and nearly all of those victims believed their homes were secure [source: FBI]. They had things like locks, lights, neighbors, occasional pets, alarm systems, moats, and/or window bars. So, what went wrong?

The sad reality is that most homes are easier to break into than you'd think. The actual risk of being spotted during a break-in often serves as a bigger deterrent than a weak lock, and because many home burglaries happen during the day, that risk doesn't seem too concerning [source: FBI]. The main issue is that most homes have vulnerable spots, and experienced burglars are adept at identifying them.

Some vulnerabilities are easy to spot: An open door, for example, practically shouts, "I'm inviting thieves to take my brand-new iPad." A treehouse close enough to an upstairs window may not be the best idea. A ground-floor window left ajar on a warm summer night is like offering a criminal a tempting treat. While most people are more cautious than that, burglaries still happen fairly often.

The vulnerabilities that lead to most break-ins are often not immediately obvious. Fortunately, they are simple to address. Taking steps to secure your home, while never guaranteeing total safety, can significantly decrease the chances of falling victim to burglary. This doesn't mean you need a shark-infested moat; rather, it's about making a few thoughtful adjustments, adding protective features, and changing certain behaviors to make your home less attractive to thieves. In this article, we’ll explore five of these changes and how to implement them effectively.

Let's begin with one of the most common—and often misunderstood—security measures: the widely used, easy-to-install, and frequently helpful alarm system.

5. Create Noise

Alarm companies often advertise their products as the ultimate solution—an impenetrable shield that eliminates the guesswork in home security. In reality, it doesn't actually prevent break-ins, but when used correctly, it can make your home less appealing to intruders.

Alarms appear to be foolproof: Install, activate, and remember to switch it on. Trusted individuals get the passcode, while others are greeted with a loud alarm. However, the problem with alarms is that the noise only sounds after the break-in has already occurred. By the time the alarm company contacts the police, the burglar has likely already taken the valuables closest to the door and fled.

In essence, alarms provide peace of mind; if something happens, help will be on the way swiftly. And that’s valuable. But for an alarm to truly protect, burglars need to know it’s there before they strike. This means prominently displaying the alarm company's notice outside your home. Hiding it to maintain aesthetic appeal defeats the purpose, as thieves won’t know the house is less inviting than the next one, and the alarm will only serve as a post-break-in response.

The key takeaway? Alarms work best when they are the most visible.

Next up: Some things are more effective when they remain less visible.

4. Keep It Quiet

If there’s one thing we've learned over the past decade, it’s that the internet doesn’t care about your intentions. Pedophiles, hackers, cannibals, and burglars all have the same access as anyone else.

The frightening reality of dangerous internet users is something most of us only encounter on the periphery—unless we overshare sensitive details. And even worse, unless we're not aware of what constitutes sensitive information.

Like the details of our upcoming trips.

It seems harmless enough: We update our Facebook status to let friends know we've arrived in Rome for two weeks of adventure. We Tweet about meeting up for a skiing trip. We post live photos from our road trip on Google Buzz. We love sharing our experiences.

The issue is, we can't always be sure who we're sharing with. It's not difficult to eavesdrop on social media platforms, so a thief, donning a ski mask and armed with lockpicks, might be learning we're in Rome, skiing, or driving across the country—discovering they can break in without any chance of being caught.

Unless, of course, the neighbors are especially vigilant and engaged. So, it's a good idea to keep your plans off social media and on your neighbors' radar instead.

Next up: Seriously, everyone is aware of the doormat trick.

3. Be Unique

Maybe the doormat was a decent hiding spot for a key a few decades ago (though it's always been a risky choice). Fake rocks might have worked when the first thousand people hid their keys inside them and buried them. And the door frame might still be a viable option if your burglar is only 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall.

But now that we're in the 21st century, and your potential thief is likely taller and more aware, it's time to get smarter. Hiding your spare key in an obvious spot might make it easier for you if you lock yourself out or need someone to collect the mail while you're away, but it also significantly increases the risk of having your home broken into.

It's generally best not to keep an extra key anywhere on your property. The safest option is to leave it with a trusted neighbor or two.

If you absolutely must hide one, be inventive. If your friends can guess where it's hidden on the first try, it's time for a new location. Maybe a hollow plastic lily pad for the moat would do the trick.

If you're always locking yourself out, consider ditching the spare key and upgrading to a keypad or fingerprint door lock. Thieves will have a much harder time finding your spare when you're not home.

Next: Any publicity is bad publicity.

2. Illuminate the Night

The first rule of burglary 101 is: Don't get caught. The key to avoiding capture is staying undetected from the start (if they can't see you, they can't call the cops).

While many break-ins happen during daylight hours, nightfall remains an excellent cover for burglars. To make your home a less appealing target, one of the most effective solutions is to install lighting both inside and outside. This serves two purposes: reducing the likelihood of your home appearing vacant and increasing visibility around the property to deter potential intruders.

Inside your home, consistency is key. Burglars often observe properties to spot patterns, such as when the occupants leave for a trip. Set up timers to have your lights turn on in the morning and off at night, making it harder for burglars to tell whether you're home or not.

For the outside, the focus is on visibility. The area right around your home is your first defense. Yard lights (both front and back) can help, but solar-powered lights may not provide enough illumination for security purposes [source: Consumer Reports]. It's better to use 120-volt lights, strategically placed around entry points and pathways. Ensure hiding spots like clusters of trees or standalone structures are well-lit. To avoid light pollution and wasting energy, many of these lights can be connected to motion detectors that activate only when necessary.

Next: The final line of defense…

1. Secure Everything

If a thief manages to get past your lighting without being noticed, your last line of defense is the entry point itself.

This is usually a door or window. For windows, having proper locks is essential, and installing burglar-proof glass can offer an extra layer of protection.

Doors and locks present more complexity. A burglar can either break down the door or bypass the lock, so it’s crucial to address both potential entry methods when choosing your equipment [source: McGoey]:

Don’t skimp on doors and locks. Even if a thief discovers on Facebook that you're vacationing in Italy, ignores the alarm signs in your yard, and makes it to your door undetected, a solid lock and a strong door can still keep them out.

If they happen to find the key hidden in your moat, it’s game over. So, make sure that lily pad looks completely authentic.