Anyone who has been the victim of a burglary will tell you: it's an experience that leaves you feeling violated, and it takes time to regain a sense of security in your own home. While the material goods stolen can often be replaced thanks to insurance, the personal trauma is much harder to overcome.
No home is completely safe from a burglary attempt, but there are practical tips, sometimes as simple as good habits, that can help protect your home.
We've put together the top nine tips you can put into practice on a daily basis or before you go on vacation.
Reduce the likelihood of burglary
Notify the police of your extended absence
The police can make free patrols outside your home when you're away on vacation. Simply inform them of your absence or departure.
From time to time, they will also inspect your property to check for any attempted break-ins and make sure everything is in order.
Avoid posting your vacation departure on social networks
Burglars use networks as targeting tools. Avoid disclosing your vacation plans and valuable possessions.
It's particularly important not to divulge the dates of your future vacations. Review your privacy settings to share information only with friends and family.
Regularly maintain hedges and bushes
Keeping bushes near doors and windows well trimmed helps eliminate hiding places for burglars. What's more, it sends a clear signal that the house is being regularly maintained, which is particularly important during extended absences, such as vacations.
A house that looks neglected can become a prime target for thieves, as it may indicate that it has been unoccupied for some time.
Keeping your home secure by closing curtains and shutters is essential
This measure discourage curious and unwanted glances, obscures the view of the interior, and thus reduces opportunities for burglars to observe. By leaving them uncertain as to what they might find inside and how secure the house is, you discourage them from attempting a break-in.
For added precaution, ask a neighbor to open the doors in the morning and close them again in the evening. This gives the appearance that the house is occupied, or even under surveillance.
Make sure your mailbox doesn't overflow when you're on vacation
An overflowing mailbox is a clear signal of prolonged absence, which could attract the attention of a burglar. When you go on vacation, ask someone you trust to collect your mail each day.
Reinforce the security of your home (and let burglars know it's protected)
Set up a surveillance system
Nowadays, these technologies have become very affordable. For around a hundred euros, you can install several surveillance cameras that connect via Wifi and allow you to monitor your home in real time via your smartphone. It's the simplest, most economical solution, and requires no wiring.
Adopt an alarm system
Opting for an alarm system represents a significant step towards enhanced security. Unlike cameras, alarms are highly dissuasive. In addition, some alarm systems are linked to a central monitoring station. This means that, at the slightest alert, security experts check for possible intrusion and, if necessary, contact the police.
What's more, some of the most modern alarm systems are interconnected with your smoke detectors, enabling you to call the fire department in the event of a fire. It's a good idea to take this into consideration when choosing your equipment.
Install automated lighting
In the same category as video surveillance, there are connected light bulbs that you can control from your smartphone. You can even create on/off scenarios to simulate a normal presence in your home.
If this option still seems inaccessible or too complex, there's still the "old-fashioned" alternative of using simple timers on the sockets of your lamps.
How to help your insurance company pay for your stolen goods?
Photograph your valuables
In the event of theft or total loss, it's essential to facilitate compensation for your stolen goods. A good habit to adopt is to draw up an exhaustive list of your valuables and take photographs of each one. This will simplify and speed up the compensation process.
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