1. Keep Up With Landscaping

According to American Family Insurance, unkempt lawns and overgrown shrubs can make it appear like you haven’t been home for awhile, increasing your risk of burglary. To discourage intruders, make it appear as though someone is home, even when you’re away. Keep up with lawn care before you leave, or consider hiring a service to maintain it while you’re gone.

2. Change Your Routine

Burglars often target homes by observing daily routines. You can make it more difficult for them by mixing up your schedule by leaving for work at different times, varying when you run errands or hit the gym, and coming home at unpredictable hours. Even small changes can make it much harder for a burglar to know when your home will be empty.

3. Put Up Security Stickers & Signs

According to Safe Home, 83% of burglars check for alarms, and 60% will move on if they see one. The good news? You don’t need to invest in an expensive, high-tech system to protect your home. Simple security signs or window decals, available at stores like Walmart and Lowe’s, can be an effective deterrent.

4. Don’t Display Wealth

Homes that display obvious signs of wealth can be prime targets for burglars. To reduce your risk, keep expensive items like luxury cars, boats, motorcycles, or high-end electronics out of sight. Store them in your garage or another secure location when not in use, and avoid leaving valuables in plain view. It’s also a good practice to keep your curtains closed while you are away. When burglars can’t see inside, it’s harder for them to gauge the valuables in your home, making your house a less appealing target.

5. Befriend Your Neighbors

Getting to know your neighbors is one of the simplest ways to protect your home. Even a friendly wave or hello can help create a watchful community. Keep an eye out for each other, and report any suspicious activity. Together, you can make your neighborhood a safer place.

6. Install Motion Sensor Lights

Burglaries can happen even when you’re home. To help protect your family and increase your peace of mind, consider installing motion sensor lights around entry points. You can find some for as little as $20. These lights can deter intruders and significantly reduce your risk of a break-in, especially overnight.

7. Secure Doors & Entry Points

If you have a ground-floor lanai or back patio, always keep the doors locked. Unsecured entrances make it easy for burglars to gain access. Sliding glass doors are particularly vulnerable because they’re easier to pry open than standard doors. A simple wooden bar or dowel in the track is an inexpensive yet effective way to make them much harder to open.

Above all, keep all doors locked at all times, be mindful of who you let in, and make sure your garage door is closed, even when you’re home. Protecting your home doesn’t have to be costly; small adjustments to your daily habits can help prevent burglaries.

8. Store Your Ladders

If you have a multi-story home, keep ladders out of sight. While most burglars enter through the ground floor, some may use ladders to access upper-level windows. Storing ladders in your garage when they’re not in use or another secure location helps prevent easy access to higher floors and keeps your home safer.

9. Fake Cameras

Visible cameras can be a powerful deterrent and burglars are far less likely to target a home when they see them. While professional security cameras can be expensive to install, fake cameras offer an affordable way to protect your home and discourage intruders until you’re ready to invest in real equipment.

10. Watch What You Post

Avoid sharing your location online, as it can give burglars an easy opportunity to target your home. Keep vacation plans and recreational activities private, and consider posting photos only after you return. Remember, when you share something online, you never know who will see it.