10 Easy Ways to Improve Home Security

Leaving town? Have someone get your mail!

An overstuffed mailbox is a tell-tale sign for burglars that you're not home. Arrange for a friend or neighbor to pick up your mail and newspapers while you're away to prevent it from building up.

Put up "fake" security signs

The bad guys look for homes that appear to be unsecured. Keep your home from looking like an easy mark by placing decoy security decals or signs somewhere visible. Even if you don't have a security system, thieves will be more likely to avoid making your home a target.

Use "smart" light-bulbs to make it look like someone's home

Installing some smart light-bulbs in street-facing lamps and setting them to a random schedule or controlling them from your phone will give your home the appearance of someone always being home. Smart bulbs are affordable and easy to install, too!

Maintain your shrubbery

Overgrown hedges and shrubs in your yard are easier to hide in and send a message to potential thieves that you're not often around. Cut down your hedges and trim branches to make it more difficult for a bad guy to hide.

Install motion sensor lights

Bright, motion sensing exterior lights make it much harder for burglars to use the cover of night to break into your home. Make sure your exterior bulbs are working and replace them when they burn out!

Lock your doors!

The easiest way for a crook to break into your home is through an unlocked door. Make sure everyone in your household knows to lock all doors and make a habit of checking them before you leave. Consider installing smart locks that automatically lock behind you, or locks that you can control with your phone.

Invest in a security camera

You can now install home security cameras yourself relatively cheaply that will allow you to monitor the activity both inside and outside of your home remotely. Often, just the sight of an exterior camera will be enough to deter burglars from approaching your home.

Avoid advertising your absence on social media

Although it can be tempting to check-in at a vacation spot or share photos of the beach while you're away, this can often be a sign for ne'er-do-wells that your home is vacant and a potential target. Consider waiting until you're home again to share the details of your trip.

Install window stops

These handy devices prevent windows from being opened more than six inches. This makes it virtually impossible for a criminal to crawl inside.

Get to know your neighbors

Establish a friendly relationship with your neighbors and agree to keep an eye on each others' homes when going out of town. This is one of the best ways to prevent anything from going awry and will afford you all peace of mind.

These tips will go a long way in making your home more secure. Talk to a Mountain West agent today to ensure that your home is properly covered in case of theft or damage!

Source: HGTV.com