When it comes to home security, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You want to send a message to potential burglars that your home will be difficult to get into, as most thieves will move on to the next target if it takes them more than a few minutes to break into a home, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Installing a home security system is just one way to protect your house from potential break-ins. Here are a few simple ways you can further protect your home.

Change Your Door

Think of your home’s front door as the first line of defense against burglars. About a third of burglars are able to break into a home by going in through the front door. There are several things to consider when evaluating the security of the front door of your Philadelphia home.

Look at the style of the door itself. Glass doors or doors with large windows might let in the light and look pretty, but they provide an easy entry point for thieves. All a thief needs to do is smash the window and turn the knob from the inside. If you have a windowed or glass door, consider swapping it for a sturdier model.

The door knob and lock you have on the front door also determines how secure it is. Some locks are downright flimsy and can easily be picked or smashed in. A lock with a metal strike plate is more secure and less likely to be kicked in, as is a door that also has a 1-inch deadbolt, according to Consumer Reports

If you have trouble keeping track of your key or are stashing a spare key in a bush or under the porch in front of your home, it can be worthwhile to invest in a keyless entry system. Modern keyless systems can communicate with your smartphone or use a key fob or key card that unlocks the door by sending an RFID signal. Some systems use your fingerprint to unlock the door. You can program the door to identify your fingerprint and the prints of other people in the house.

Secure Your Windows

A thief might try to get into your home via the windows. Secure window locks and grates on the first floor windows can be a big deterrent. If your home has window mounted air conditioners, make sure you secure the units inside, by attaching them to the inner frame with screws. It’s all too easy for a burglar to push an A/C unit into a home and to shimmy in through the open window.

Hang a Few Signs or Stickers

Even if you don’t have a home monitoring or security system, you can make potential burglars think you do by hanging up a few “This Home is Protected” signs or putting security stickers on your door. If you do have a monitoring system, it’s better to use a sticker that doesn’t state the name of the company you’re using. Giving a thief the brand name of your security system gives him or her more opportunity to try to crack the system before trying to break in.

Along with taking steps to secure your home physically, you can also make your home look less appealing to a thief. Keep valuables out of sight and don’t flash your wealth. Keep the door to the garage closed, if you have one, and if you have a nice car, keep it parked in the garage, out of sight. A monitoring system adds an extra layer of protection to your home, but so does using common sense.

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