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Home Improvement

Low-Tech Solutions For Home Security And Family Privacy

All eyes are focused on online security with recent scandals involving Facebook and Equifax. But, why aren’t we paying attention to what’s going on around us? The prying eyes passing our homes, peering through the windows, and casing our place (or family members).

You could get home security and feel accomplished… until you realize police response times take an average of 11 minutes. There’s no guarantee of safety but there are certainly ways to deter it.

Let’s look at some ways to secure your home before you and family are victims.

1. Don’t Overdo It

What type of home looks like it has better stuff?

  • The home with security cams, tons of locks, and motion sensors?
  • The home that looks plan and inconspicuous?

The added security poses a challenge for intruders but it also means a potential, greater reward. You don’t have to hide your lifestyle but it’s always good to avoid flaunting your wealth and status.

2. Install Fencing

Waist-high chain-link fence won’t do a thing to stop people from intruding on your property. A precast concrete fence? Now we’re talking! These heavy-duty fence types are quick to install from its prefabrication and creates enough coverage to block wandering eyes and easy access to your home.

3. Not “Broadcasting”

We love sharing status updates on Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms. Burglar-types have caught on to our activity and plan their intrusions when they see we’re away from home. Keeping your family safe has a lot to do with not making yourselves open to danger.

What better, low-tech way to protect yourself than to set sharing permissions to “friends-only” or just remaining mindful of your online social activities.

4. Shrubs

If your doors are reinforced then intruders will seek windows. Hopefully, the windows were upgraded but if you’re putting that off then the next best thing is having shrubs blocking access. These create just enough difficulty entering and exiting the home — possibly making too much noise and hassle.

5. Switch It Up

Malicious types have all the time in the world and they use their “working” hours profiling homes and people. After a few days, they’ll understand your routine (when you leave, when you’re home, who comes and goes). Then, they’ll use the gap to break-and-enter during the day when you’re at work.

Disrupt this casing by switching up your routine if possible. Leave at slightly different times or come home for lunch. Make it look like you’re around to deter them from going further with their plans.

6. Get Out

It’s a hard decision but cut ties and move somewhere safer. High-crime areas and frequent burglaries likely won’t let up unless there’s a major response from authorities. You’re more likely to experience frequent burglary if you’ve had it done before. This goes both ways when you’re in newer communities where neighbors haven’t quite formed bonds.

7. Community Action

Does your block have a citizens patrol? If not, start one.

Take turns patrolling the neighborhood to watch for suspicious activity. Keep a log of these activities and share them with others in the group. This could include identifying frequent cars not belonging to neighbors or if individuals keep wandering through for unknown reasons.

8. Lock It Down

We’re not living in the “good ol’ times” when you could leave your house unlocked and doors wide-open for the kids to come in and out. Assaults and burglaries happen within minutes. These can happen in the short time frame of you stepping out to water the plants or washing your car.

Keep the doors and windows locked — even if it feels overboard. This includes locking your car!

High-tech solutions to privacy and security are helpful. But, don’t forget low-tech solutions!

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