Make your house a hard target
The best way to defend your home from burglaries is to avoid them altogether. By making your home less attractive to burglars and adding deterring elements, you greatly reduce your chances of being a victim of these threats. Walk around your neighborhood and see if you house could looks more attractive to burglars than others. Look for things like:
- A large flat screen TV boxes or other electronics in the trash
- Poor lighting
- Easily accessible windows
- Shrubs and trees where someone can hideout
- No visible security systems
Security Systems
Alarm systems are excellent additions to home security, with a control panel and sensors to monitor the property. Simply having an alarm on the side of your house will deter most criminals.
Detector Sensors
The following security systems can be used to detect a threat or a trespasser:
- Smoke detector
- Wireless roof infrared
- Multi-beam infrared detector
- PIR angle detector
- Gas detector
- Wireless monitoring system
- PIR motion detector
- Signal transfer unit
- Burglar alarm surveillance card
- Glass break sensor
Security cameras (real or fake)
I always recommend people have security cameras around the perimeter of their homes whenever possible. Security cameras are a great deterrent to would be burglars. But real security camera can be really expensive. A good alternative is to have fake "dummy" cameras. These cameras look just like the real thing and can achieve a similar level of deterrence. Most burglars wont try their chances if they think they might be on camera.
Signage
Signs like security system lawn signs and "beware of dog" signs and even NRA stickers could be enough to deter a would be criminal from trying to enter your home.
Double Entry Doors
Make double doors secure by fitting heavy-duty slide bolts to the non- active door. Make sure these bolts slide into deep recesses in the door frame and floor. Multiple locks make it very difficult for someone to kick a door open, and the spread of bolts distributes the force of the impact along the entire length of the doorjamb.
Hurricane Shutters
Windows are by far the most vulnerable points of your house. Hurricane shutters protect windows from storm damages, but can also be used to deter would be burglars. The average time a burglar will attempt a force entry before giving up is four minutes. When faced with such security, most burglar are likely to give up and move on.
Patio Locks
Do not focus all your attention on the front of the house. Door leading to patios and backyard are often more secluded and should also be protected. Patio windows can be very vulnerable to break-ins because they provide some cover and provide would be burglars more time to achieve their objectives. At minimum, fit separate patio locks on the frames, but ideally the windows should be protected by security shutters.
Door Security
Security should be a part of your everyday routine. When at the door, always use a peephole, lock and latch to control who enters your home, and don’t be afraid of keeping people outside if you are not sure of their intentions. Peepholes and security chains can be easily added to doors.

Deadbolt locks provide far more secure locking than spring loaded bolts; they can only be opened by rotating the lock cylinder, whereas a spring-loaded bolt can be forced open with pressure to the bolt itself.
A dog not only provides you with companionship, it also gives you a great natural burglar alarm and a powerful form of self defense should an aggressor make it into your property. A dog’s bark or the sight of a dog may be enough to put off some burglars.