According to the Forbes, over 1 million burglaries take place in the United States every year. Thankfully, there are ways that you can protect yourself from falling victim. You don’t have to buy an expensive alarm system to protect yourself and your family from burglars. Read below to learn 13 simple tips to prevent burglary this holiday season.

13 Easy Ways To Prevent Burglary This Holiday Season

1. Keep Up With Landscaping
   According to a Department of Justice report, homes that are hidden by overgrown hedges, trees, and shrubs have a higher risk of being burglarized than those that don’t. Spend some time on a Saturday to trim down any overgrown shrubbery to protect your home from burglars.
2. Change Your Routine
   Many times burglars find their victims by studying their everyday routines. Consider making small changes to your daily routine such as leaving for work at a different time each day, changing when you run errands or go to the gym, or coming home at different times. This will make it harder for a burglar to predict when you will be away.
3. Put Up Security Stickers & Signs
   The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology advises that burglars will pass up a home where a security system is present 60 percent of the time. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend a fortune on a high-tech alarm system. Instead, think about picking up security signs or window decals at stores such as Walmart and Lowe’s.
4. Don’t Publicize Wealth
   Statistically speaking crooks are more apt to target homes where owners visibly advertise wealth. If you have an expensive car, boat, motorcycle, or other luxury items consider storing them in your garage or off-site.
5. Befriend Your Neighbors
6. If you don’t know your neighbors, get to know them. Even if it isn’t on a first-name basis, a simple hello every time you see them will help burglar-proof your home. Also, keep an eye out for your neighbors, and report any suspicious activity.
7. Install Motion Sensor Lights
   Sometimes burglaries do happen when homeowners are home. If you are worried about a burglary taking place overnight, consider installing a motion sensor light to increase your peace of mind while you sleep. Many stores carry these lights for as low as $20. Having lights around your home’s entry can greatly decrease your chances of being burglarized.
8. Secure Sliding Glass Doors
   Burglars like sliding glass doors because they are easier to pry open than regular doors. If you have these doors in your home, insert a cheap wooden bar or dowel into the track to make opening the door more challenging for a burglar.
9. Close Your Curtains
   A recent study found that 29 percent of burglars choose homes because of items left out in plain sight. Closing your curtains while you are away at work can deter crooks, as they will not be able to see into your home to evaluate the amount of valuables you have.
10. Store Your Ladders
    If you have a multi-story home, do not leave ladders out in plain view. The majority of burglars enter a home from the ground floor; however, some do choose to enter through the second or third story. Storing your ladders in your garage prevents a burglar from gaining access to your home via a second or third floor.
11. Dummy Cameras
    In a study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, it was found that when cameras are present, burglars are far less likely to consider breaking in. Real, working equipment can cost thousands of dollars to buy and install. Dummy cameras are a cheap way to ward off burglars until you are able to buy real cameras.
12. Watch Social Media
    Try not to post your location on social media sites. This can provide burglars with a free pass to your home. Keep any vacations or recreational activities on the low. Consider posting pictures once you are home, rather than while you are away. Remember, when you share something online, you never know who will see it.
13. Lock Your Lanai
    If you have a lanai or a back patio on the ground floor, make sure to always lock the doors. Not doing so is an open invitation for a burglar.
14. Keep Your Doors Locked & Garage Closed
    Above all, keep your doors locked at all times. Be careful who you answer the door for. Make sure to close your garage door even when you are home. Preventing burglary doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor, you just need to know how to defend yourself by making small modifications to your current habits and living situation.