’Tis the season for holiday shopping and winter travel. It’s a festive time, indeed, but the merriment can quickly go south thanks to the misdeeds of strangers. We’re talking about burglars and porch pirates, many of whom take advantage when homeowners leave their houses, belongings and packages unattended for any amount of time.
According to the New Jersey State Police’s most recent Uniform Crime Report, there were nearly 13,500 reported home burglaries last year. And over the past 12 months, the average value of stolen packages was $150, according to Security.org, which researches and tests home and digital security systems throughout the world.
Of course, we’re not sharing those numbers to scare anyone. Instead, use the information to safeguard yourself, your families and your property. Below are some tips to keep your home safe this season.
Secure Doors And Windows
Many burglars will enter a home simply by strolling through the front door or a window. An easy way to prevent this is to keep them locked, even when you’re in the house. Homeowners should inspect all exterior doors and make sure the hinges are protected and the door frames are strong.
If you’re moving into a new home, change all of the exterior door locks. This ensures that there aren’t any strangers out there with a copy of your house keys. Plus, this gives you the opportunity to upgrade locks for added security. For instance, you can upgrade to smart locks, install a deadbolt or boost the security with a video doorbell (eg. Ring camera).
A security camera is referred to as a “capable guardian,” says Bob Murphy of Central Jersey Security Cameras, which has locations in Freehold, Piscataway and Toms River. “The presence of security cameras increases the likelihood of the person being caught, making it a less attractive target for the potential thief. This theory has been tested and remains viable. The more security, or capable guardians, means fewer vulnerable targets which leads to less crime.”
Light Up The Exterior
Consider installing plenty of lighting around your property, as burglars are often put off by lights that may make people aware of their presence. Lights should be placed around the front of the home, in the backyard, along pathways and near the garage or any other structures. Not only will this deter intruders, but the extra lightning will help cut down your risk of tripping when it’s dark.
To upgrade the lighting around your home, try a smart outlet to put your outdoor lights on a timer, use motion-activated lights, set up light schedules with smart light bulbs and save energy by choosing solar-powered lights.
Set Up A Security Alarm
If you want to make your house secure, the best thing you can do is install a security system. The most secure systems come with home automation and professional monitoring, however, you should choose one that you’re comfortable with. When choosing the right home security system, there are several things that you should consider, including monthly cost, installation, smart home capabilities and customer service, among other factors.
Lock Down Your Wi-Fi
Just like you wouldn’t share passwords and personal information with strangers, you should keep your home’s Wi-Fi system private as well. If your network is connected to any gadgets in your home or your security alarm system, burglars can break in if they can access your Wi-Fi.
To keep hackers away from your home’s network, use a firewall, secure your wireless router, create strong passwords for everything, enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption, hide and rename your home’s network and install anti-malware and anti-virus protection.
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