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Safety Tips To Protect Your Home From Burglary

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Home is a sanctuary, a place to let go and unwind. When you come home after a long day, familiar warmth and comfort welcome you. But what if that sense of safety is shattered overnight? What if your home is burgled, leaving you tormented and in distress.

A Burglary is the theft of not just possessions but also a sense of security. This feeling of fear can last a long time, even after the stolen items are replaced, and you have overcome the financial burden of replacing them.

However, you can take measures to scare the burglar away and protect your residence. Let's learn more!

Why Is Home Security Important?

We want our family and valuables to be well-protected. Knowing they are in a safe place lets you have peace of mind. A burglary insurance policy can help you financially recover the stolen items. However, it can't replace the sentimental value of those items or the lost feeling of safety. Hence, prevention is better than a claim. A secure home can create a deterrent against burglars and invest in your well-being.

Understanding Burglary

Burglaries are crimes of opportunity. Thieves target homes that appear easy to enter and exit. Readily accessible valuables make their plan even easier. However, knowing their tactics can help you outwit them and take proactive measures to make your home a less attractive target.

Your Home And Vulnerabilities

Inspect it from the point of view of an intruder. Take a look at:

▪ Doors and Windows

Are your doors and windows sturdy and well-secured? Do all locks function properly? Look for weak points, like flimsy window frames or easily breakable glass.

▪ Lighting

Is your property well-lit at night? Dark corners and shadows create hiding spots for burglars.

▪ Fencing and Landscaping

Is your perimeter secure? Tall fences or overgrown bushes can provide burglars with cover.

▪ Spare Keys

Where are your spare keys hidden? Burglars know common hiding places, such as behind the doormat or above the door frame.

List any areas of weakness and address them as soon as you can.

Tips to Secure Your Home

Here are some strategies you can employ:

1. Invest in Quality Locks and Deadbolts

The first line of defense against burglars is to make a point of entry strong. Replace flimsy or weak doors with solid ones made of either wood or metal. Don't stop just there. Secure all your exterior doors with top-grade deadbolts. These extra barriers will make it difficult for a burglar to kick your door in.

2. Install a Home Security System

Nevertheless, modern home security systems are powerful deterrents. Visible home security cameras and alarms indicate high protection, which keeps burglars from committing any actions. Install a system that packs motion sensors, security cameras, and alarms, which can trigger loud noises or send alerts to the authorities.

3. Brighten Outdoor Lighting

Burglars prefer to operate in darkness. Hence, install bright lights around your property, particularly near entry points like doors and windows. You can consider motion-sensor lights. They will only activate when someone approaches, saving energy and deterring intruders.

4. Reinforce Windows and Doors

Don't rely solely on locks! Doors and windows are burglars' go-to access points. Add window bars or security grates for high-risk windows on the ground floor. Additionally, reinforce all your door frames with metal security plates to make them more resistant to forced entry.

5. Keep Valuables Hidden

Don't advertise your valuables! Avoid keeping expensive electronics or jewellery on display, especially near or around the windows. You can also purchase a solid safe to keep important documents and irreplaceable items.

6. Utilise Smart Home Technology Smartly

Technology and smart home products have taken home security up a notch. Here's a tip: Automatic lights with timers can create the impression of being at home even when you are away. Program the lights to go on and off at set times. It will keep the thieves away!

7. Build a Neighbourhood Watch Network

Community spirit can be one of the best deterrents against crime.

• Get to know your neighbours.

• Establish a neighbourhood watch program.

• Look out for each other's homes.

• Report suspicious activity to the police.

8. Establish Secure Habits

Develop good security habits to protect yourself further. Some of them to practise include:

• Even while you're home, always lock your windows and doors.

• Please don't advertise your holiday plans on social media; it can alert burglars of a vacant house.

• Before throwing away important documents, shred them. Identity theft is a real thing.

• Never leave your house keys hidden outside your home in predictable locations. Robbers are cunning, they know!

• When you are away, ask your neighbour to collect your mail. Piles accumulating outside can alert burglars that the house is empty.

The takeaway: A stitch in time saves nine

Turn your 'home sweet home' into a 'home safe home' now! A secured home means secured belongings and secure well-being of your family members. Implement the above strategies to reduce the risk of theft at your home. Don't forget to consider a comprehensive home insurance plan with coverage against theft.

With the HDFC ERGO, you get burglary insurance and protection for damages caused by natural calamities and man-made hazards—all under one plan. After all, peace of mind starts with being prepared!

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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