While at home, everyone deserves to have an extra sense of security. Unfortunately, you never know when criminals may be on the prowl. Here are five ways you and your neighbors can create a safer community.
Set Up a Neighborhood Watch
If you really want to cut down on crime, set up a neighborhood watch group. Research shows this is among the best ways to enhance safety. Everyone should be encouraged to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. However, effective communication is of the utmost importance. When something doesn’t look right, it’s important to share your concerns. Simply sending out a group message on Facebook can quickly spread the word.
Improve Lighting on Your Street
Darkness creates a perfect environment for criminal activity. This is why it’s a good idea to improve lighting on your street. Simply installing a motion-activated porch light will help deter intruders. When night falls, intruders won’t have a place to hide. Whether you’re going out for a late-evening jog or returning home from the supermarket, the extra peace of mind will be well worth it.
Upgrade Your Doors
Make sure all of your entryways are secure. A relentless burglar will have no trouble knocking down a thinly-built door. Security doors provide far greater protection. Because these doors feature heavy-duty steel on the inside, they can withstand more forceful impacts. It’s also important to upgrade your door locks. For good reason, keyless locks have become more popular than ever. No longer will you have to worry about someone making a copy of your house key.
Don’t Advertise Your Valuables
Far too many people unintentionally display their valuables to potential thieves. To make your household less of a target, develop a habit of keeping your blinds closed and curtains drawn. This is a simple way to prevent people from peeking inside. Also, be careful about leaving your garage door open. This is especially true for people who have expensive items like ATVs and personal watercrafts.
Take the Necessary Precautions Before Traveling Out of Town
When you decide to go out of town, tell your neighbors. Criminals pay attention to things like uncut lawns and overfilled mailboxes. They won’t hesitate to target a home that looks vacant. Most importantly, never publicity share your travel plans on social media.
Don’t allow crime to ruin your neighborhood. By working together as a team, you can create a safer environment. Even the smallest actions can make a big difference.