It’s easy to think that your home will never be the target of burglars because a great number of people think that this won’t happen to them. However, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were 228,300 break-ins and 191,200 attempted break-ins reported during 2016 and 2017. Furthermore, around 22 per cent of Australian households didn’t report such incidents to the police. In fact, burglary is one of the most common crimes in Australia. When you take these facts into consideration, you realise that protecting your home against burglars is a smart move and wise investment even if you believe that you’re not a target.

Install a security system

A security system is one of the most effective burglar deterrents, so you should definitely have one installed. You can even find an alarm system that is routed to a police station, which is a great security measure. You can also install a system that contains security cameras so that you can keep an eye on your property while you’re away. Displaying warnings that you have an alarm system is also an effective deterrent, but avoid showing which model and brand you have.

Secure your doors and windows

Ground windows and doors are the most common entry points for intruders. Therefore, it’s essential that you install security locks on both doors and windows. You should even consider replacing your front door with a security door made of a strong material and installing deadbolts. You should also pay special attention to sliding doors because they can be easily broken into. Digital locks are another great solution because you can synchronise your smartphone with your lock.

Get your neighbours involved

Your neighbours can help you keep your home safe, especially while you’re away. Together, you can identify suspicious individuals lurking around and prevent them from breaking into your homes. You can ask your neighbours to check your home while you’re away on vacation or call the police if they notice anything unusual in the area. Organising a joint watch is a great way to keep your entire neighbourhood safe.

Don’t forget insurance

Even if you take all the necessary steps to protect your home against intruders, sometimes they still find a way in. Thus, it’s essential that you apply for an insurance policy that will cover you in case of theft. However, keep in mind that your car won’t be insured by a home policy. Instead, you need to insure it separately. You should also know that there are different types of car insurance in Australia, so you need to research your options in order to get one that meets your needs.

Introduce motion sensor lighting

Installing security lighting both inside and outside is a great way to create an illusion of occupancy in your home. Around 22.8 per cent of burglars are deterred by sensor lights and 19.3 per cent of them will think twice about breaking into your home if they see lights inside your house. In addition, installing smart light timers will also help you keep your home safe, especially while you’re away.

Hide your valuables

If you want to minimise your risk of a break-in, you should definitely make your home less appealing to burglars. A simple way to achieve this is to hide your valuables and keep them in a safe place. Your expensive home features shouldn’t be visible from the street, so make sure to rearrange your furniture if they are. It’s also advisable that you get a safe where you’ll keep your documents, money, keys and other valuables, but don’t install it in the master bedroom.

Pay attention to your yard landscaping

As part of maintaining your curb appeal, you should maintain your garden, conduct the necessary tree risk assessment, and organize your yard. You also need to make sure that there should be no hiding spots on your property, which means that you should keep your trees and bushes trimmed, especially those close to your house. You should also make sure that intruders can’t break into your home by climbing a tree and entering your home from the second story. Installing a security fence will be another line of defence against intruders.

Welcome a dog

You’d be surprised to learn that dogs are the greatest and most effective burglar deterrent, so you should definitely consider welcoming one into your home. While large dogs will intimidate potential intruders, smaller ones will also keep them away since they will immediately start barking and alarm you. In addition, a dog will not only protect your home, but also become your loyal friend.

Instead of denying the possibility that even you can be a burglary target, you should implement these measures to protect your home and keep your family safe.