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Your home should be a safe haven where you feel comfortable and protected. However, if you are a victim of a burglary, you will feel unsafe and violated that a stranger has set foot in your home and rummaged through your things.

The investigative team at KGW reached out to inmates serving time for burglary in the Oregon Department of Corrections and asked various questions about each burglary. From that information, we’ve created a helpful list of do’s and don’ts that will deter would-be burglars.

Do: Ensure Your Home Is Completely Locked Up, Including Windows

Many burglars enter homes via unlocked doors or windows. Occasionally, they will kick in a door to gain entry, but most avoid breaking glass at the risk of cutting themselves.

Don’t: Hide Valuables in Obvious Places

If you tend to hide your important items in your master bedroom, burglars know this trick and will head straight for that room. They also know to look in less obvious places, so you should try to be crafty about where you store these things.

According to one inmate, they search the most random places, including: “Everywhere! From the stove and freezer to the fish tank and toilet tank, bookshelves and in boxes of cereal.”

Do: Consider a Home Security System or Signs

Having a home security system is indeed an effective deterrent because burglars are wary of setting off the alarm or potentially being caught on camera. Sometimes a sign in the yard can be enough to keep burglars at bay.

Don’t: Forget About Outdoor Lighting or Landscaping

Some inmates mentioned that “large trees, bushes, or shrubs around the home…” provided an excellent cover for burglars to break in without being seen. Don’t let your yard become overgrown, and do make sure you have good lighting so that people can be seen if they try to slink around your home.

Do: Call in the Dog Squad

Consider adding a large, loud dog to your family. These types of dogs are better at keeping intruders away because most burglars are prepared to work around smaller dogs.

An inmate mentioned that “dogs are a deal-breaker for me. Big breeds, home protectors, are the best to keep people out.”

Don’t: Ignore Your Neighbors

Getting to know your neighbors helps you be more aware of who is in the neighborhood and makes intruders stand out as being out of place if they are casing the area. Additionally, letting your neighbors known when you are going to be out of town means they can also keep an eye on your home while you’re gone. They can even gather your mail or water your plants and you can return the favor when they go on vacation.

Do: Consider Leaving Lights or a Radio or TV On While You’re Out

If it appears that someone is home, most burglars said they would “absolutely not” attempt to break in. You could also buy a programmable light switch timer that allows you to schedule when to turn your lights on so that you don’t have to remember every time you leave.

Don’t: Skimp on Additional Security Measures

Many burglars suggest “protecting your windows and doors” to prevent easy access through traditional entrances. This could include adding shatterproof glass, investing in window locks or sensors, or adding motion lights near the entrances. It may feel like you’ll never need the additional security, but you’ll be glad you have it if there are burglary attempts in the neighborhood.

Keep Your Home Safe

No one wants to be a victim of a home invasion, so follow these simple do’s and don’ts, as told by burglars themselves, to help guard your property as best as you can.

The post Do’s and Don’ts to Deter Burglars | Direct From the Mouths of Intruders appeared first on Freshome.com.

Wireless vs. hardwired

Traditionally, security systems have relied on analog phone lines to provide you with around-the-clock connection to your security company. While companies still offer these types of systems, you may want to think beyond them. Hardwired phone lines are becoming increasingly rare these days and may soon be totally obsolete.

Instead, your real choice is between a connection that’s through your wifi or cellular network. Ideally, you should choose a model that has the capacity to connect through either method. That way, while the bulk of the monitoring happens over wifi, you’ll still be protected if your network goes down.

It’s important to consider who you ultimately want to be responsible for monitoring your home’s safety. Image: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

Professional vs. self-monitoring

Luckily, if the idea of being watched over by a corporate security company doesn’t appeal to you, you now have the option to opt out. So-called self-monitoring security systems allow you to take overseeing the safety of your home into your own hands. With these systems, you receive an email or a text message when a threat is detected. Deciding what step to take next is up to you.

However, if you prefer the idea of having someone there to watch your back, you can always go the traditional route and get a professionally-monitored system. Just be aware that receiving 24/7 professional monitoring usually comes at an extra cost per month.

Think about which additional features you might want your security system to include. Image: Grzegorz_P/Shutterstock

Consider additional features

Thanks to new advances in technology, a home security system is now capable of doing much more than sounding an alarm and alerting the authorities. Are you looking for a more comprehensive approach to security? You may want to invest in a system that includes some additional features, such as:

Video monitoring

Most smart home security systems offer a video monitoring option. With most video monitoring packages, you place cameras around the perimeter of your home, which you can then check in on from an app. Some security packages allow you the option to upgrade to indoor monitoring, as well. Other systems include an option that allows you to see who is at the front door each time the doorbell rings.

Light/lock controls

The next feature to consider is having the ability to control the locks on your doors and/or your lights with just a tap of a button. Typically, you control these tasks via an app. Some systems also give you the opportunity to control other aspects of your home, including your HVAC system.

Sensors

Some home security system packages include motion-activated sensors. Exactly what these sensors can do may vary. Sometimes they can be used to turn lights on if motion is detected. Other times, they’re part of the system that allows you to unlock your door from afar.