3 Key Ways to Prevent Home Burglary

Every 15 seconds a home in the United States is burglarized. That adds up to over 1.4 million instances every year. Most of these crimes are completely preventable by taking simple steps to deter a criminal from choosing your home. Here are 3 of the most important ways to take your home off the hit list.

Lighting

Lighting is the most simple, affordable solution to avoiding burglaries. Many people turn off their outdoor lights before going to bed, or don’t have a timer on when they’re on vacation. Here are some important tips:

Built-in Constant Lighting

Have some type of outdoor lighting. Light is a natural barrier to a criminal’s success. Even 1 or 2 lights near easy-to-access doors and windows will drastically shift the odds in your favor. The gold standard of outdoor lighting is to make sure that the entire perimeter of your home is brightly lit. Dim or no lighting will catch a burglar’s attention and put your home at risk.

It’s also crucial not to turn off your outdoor lights before you go to bed. It may save a small amount on your electric bill, but it is more important to protect your home during the most vulnerable time of the night; generally between midnight and 4 AM. Any built-in lighting that is powered by your home’s existing electrical system can introduce a higher cost to install. This is the highest-cost lighting option since built-in lighting requires a trained electrician to install and retrofit your home’s electrical system if necessary.

If you are interested in adding lighting, saving power, and allowing for more flexibility in location and install, this next option may be for you.

Motion Activated Lighting

Motion lighting is a valuable and cost-effective way of lighting your property. Motion activated lighting of the past was either too expensive to justify, or it was ineffective. The technology has become more affordable and effective in recent years. Battery and solar-powered options have also become a convenient option in areas that wiring is difficult to run.

You’ll want to make sure that the sensor is visible to all areas that need the light and carefully read the instructions provided. If you are having difficulty finding the right placement or you need to run wiring, consult one of our Pros before you get started. If you would like an even mix of both style and safety, you may want to mix motion lighting with more subtle accent lighting.

Accent Lighting

Small accent lights are a good addition to your yard and landscaping. They blend in during the day and add nice accent lighting after dark. You’ll want to make sure that your solar lighting is bright enough to add to your preventative measures. If you aren’t able to find solar lights bright enough to fit the bill, try wired accent lights. This option opens up additional power to light larger areas. For household security, make sure that any light you choose will contribute to lighting the parameter of your home. Each light should at least light a 6 foot radius to be effective.

Security Cameras and Systems

Small accent lights are a good addition to your yard and landscaping. They blend in during the day and add nice accent lighting after dark. You’ll want to make sure that your solar lighting is bright enough to add to your preventative measures. If you aren’t able to find solar lights bright enough to fit the bill, try wired accent lights. This option opens up additional power to light larger areas. For household security, make sure that any light you choose will contribute to lighting the parameter of your home. Each light should at least light a 6 foot radius to be effective.

Standalone Security Cameras

Dedicated cameras are the option that is most commonly thought of when considering outdoor surveillance. There are both wired and wireless options available that can connect to your home Wi-Fi, record to a cloud or personal storage device, and even allow two-way communication. Many of the wired options also include a small internal battery for use in power outages. Most user-friendly options have an app for the user to access live video, view saved recordings, change settings, and use the two-way communication feature.

As mentioned before, security cameras used to be an exclusive option for home security. The price was a small fortune and the installation and technical knowledge required was a huge barrier to most homeowners.

However, in recent years, many companies have taken the technology to new levels of affordability and ease of use. It is now possible to spend between $80-$150 instead of $1,000+ per camera. Huge advancements in affordable cameras, storage, and Wifi technology have made security cameras a commonplace household addition.

Doorbell Cameras

Doorbells have come so far. They used to be a simple announcement, but now they can record video, allow two-way communication, and even provide personalized rings! They are most commonly a wired option with a battery backup. Usually the camera is a fish-eye lens which means it can capture a wide field of view. That’s a valuable feature to have if you need to see far to the sides of the front door.

The camera is usually activated by motion which then sends a notification to the homeowner. It also announces a chime by the door to let the person know they’re being recorded. Most doorbells include an app with the same features as the security cameras.

Security Systems

A security system and service is usually an option when purchasing cameras or connected doorbells. They can work in tandem with a whole-home security system that includes door and window sensors, indoor/outdoor motion sensors, and a monitoring service. This is usually the final part of a whole-home security setup.

Most security systems are monitored by a security company like SimpliSafe or ADT. Most plans include window and door sensors, fire sensors, and other home safety measures. Most security systems charge between $200-$400 for equipment, $0-$200 for installation/activation, and $15-$50 per month for a monitoring fee.

Summary

Home ownership comes with enough stress of its own; there’s no need to unnecessarily add to it by not taking simple safety steps. ONE Service Pros can help make sure that your outdoor lighting is sufficient, install cameras and doorbells, and other security equipment. Electricity is one of the most dangerous household conveniences to try to work on without the proper training and experience. Some options are easy to install on your own, but when it comes to wiring and disruptive additions, ONE call, we can do it all! 865-351-0241