7 Ways to Stay Safe from Burglars in 2021

7 Ways to Stay Safe from Burglars in 2021

Your home should be the safest place in the world. You shouldn’t have to worry about coming back from work only to find that someone broke in. While a barking Your home should be the safest place in the world. You shouldn’t have to worry about coming back from work only to find that someone broke in. While a barking dog might be the best defense against burglary, you might want to look for additional solutions.

Luckily, new home security trends can provide more than just basic protection. The latest tools are not only preventative but can also record evidence if a burglary does take place. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Consider Smart Home Automation
Home automation is defined as the automatic electronic control of household features and appliances. With an automated home, you can control how certain systems behave with or without your presence. Life becomes more straightforward and convenient since you don’t have to bother with turning on the coffee machine in the morning or turning off your AC unit once you leave the house.

Each automated device can be integrated into the Wi-Fi network and you can manage them via mobile devices regardless of your location.

When it comes to the security aspect of an automated home, you’ll be able to control:

Alarm systems
Doors
Windows
Locks
Smoke detectors
Surveillance and other sensors

For example, you’ll always have access to a video doorbell and be able to see if someone is standing on your front porch.
2. Switch to Cloud-Based Security Systems
One of the latest home security trends involves VSaaS or Video as a Service. VSaaS refers to surveillance videos that aren’t stored on video tapes or CDs but in a cloud environment. This service also includes recording, storage, remote viewing, management alerts, cyber security, and more.

Cloud cameras remove the standard complexity of surveillance. Once you purchase your camera and install it on your computer, you’ll get a unique web address. Then, once you login and change the username and password, you’ll get complete access to your camera.

Keep in mind that these cameras are mainly used for interior home surveillance. However, you might be able to find an outdoor cloud camera and install it in a way that it doesn’t get damaged by outside conditions.
3. Utilize Voice-Controlled Smart Systems
Voice-controlled smart systems utilize the power of voice assistants to help you interact with your connected devices. To use them, you must install smart speakers and connect them to your preferred voice assistant.

There are many smart speakers on the market, but not all can offer the same quality of service. Some of the best smart speakers include:

Sonos One
Amazon Echo
Google Nest Audio
Bose’s Home Speaker 500

All these voice assistant systems can be integrated with your smart home security network to allow you total control over how each unit behaves. For example, you’ll enjoy effortless alarm management, and if you install smart locks, you’ll be able to lock your doors with a simple voice command.
4. Install Exterior Lights and Motion Detectors
Some home security trends never die, like exterior lights and motion detectors. Motion-activated lights are known to deter burglars since they literally shine a light on their complete figure and face.

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t have these simple items installed, believing they can’t physically deter the criminal or thinking it’s hard to install. While it’s true that lights can’t make someone physically move, it can make them scared, or increase the chance that they will be seen by a neighbor or yourself. Motion-detection lights are easy to install, but not all of them have the same features.

For example, infrared lights can detect someone’s presence based on the heat. Some offer adjustable motion sensitivity, where you can decide how the lights will react based on the size of the intruder. The adjustable light timer also gives you an option to select how long the light will stay on for, once activated.
5. Avoid Posting on Social Media While on Vacation
The latest online trends might make you feel that you have to share every aspect of your life. Unfortunately, sometimes your activity on social media can make you vulnerable to break-ins or burglary attempts. In today’s world, it’s essential to protect yourself online by thinking about what information you share.

Remember that posting a photo from your favorite destination while you’re still on the trip can signal to thieves that your home is empty. It’s best if you wait until you’re back and then share what your vacation was like.

If you really must post your latest photo instantly, make sure to mention that someone is watering your plants or feeding your pets while you’re gone, so potential burglars know the house is not deserted. Also, make sure to disable location tags on your camera.
6. Improve Your Home Security Habits
If you feel like you’ve been too relaxed regarding your home security, it’s time to change some habits. First, make sure you know your neighbors, and they know you. Help them keep an eye on what’s happening in your area and work as a community to prevent crimes.

Avoid hiding your spare keys outside your home. Sometimes, no matter how creative you think you are, burglars will outsmart you. They’ll know where to look or might even observe you before they make their move, so they see where you place your keys.

Make sure you don’t give away your address to the public. Whether it’s on a key ring or posted on an ad that you made to sell something, you never know who might be watching.
7. Don’t Forget the Garage
The attached garage can represent a crucial point of protection against burglars. Unfortunately, it’s a popular entry to the house for many people, so you should do your best to make sure it’s secure, and that it’s contents aren’t visible to outside onlookers. Keep the garage doors closed and keep your garage opener inside the house.

Other things you can do to improve garage security include:

Covering garage windows
Replacing your garage opener with a keyfob
Adding additional locks
Securing your home entry door
Summary
Experiencing a break-in is a serious incident. Having your privacy violated and items from your home stolen can change your feeling of safety forever. Luckily, there are many things you can do to prevent burglaries from happening. The latest trends in home security involve smart technology that you can control with ease while enjoying extensive safety features.

Modern tech aside, don’t forget about standard crime prevention strategies, like motion-detecting lights, and not giving out your address. Remember that you never know who might be watching; make sure to stay in touch with your neighbors and report anything suspicious.
dog might be the best defense against burglary</a>, you might want to look for additional solutions.

Luckily, new home security trends can provide more than just basic protection. The latest tools are not only preventative but can also record evidence if a burglary does take place. Keep reading to learn more. 

1. Consider Smart Home Automation

Home automation is defined as the automatic electronic control of household features and appliances. With an automated home, you can control how certain systems behave with or without your presence. Life becomes more straightforward and convenient since you don’t have to bother with turning on the coffee machine in the morning or turning off your AC unit once you leave the house. 

Each automated device can be integrated into the Wi-Fi network and you can manage them via mobile devices regardless of your location. 

When it comes to the security aspect of an automated home, you’ll be able to control: 

  • Alarm systems
  • Doors
  • Windows
  • Locks
  • Smoke detectors
  • Surveillance and other sensors

For example, you’ll always have access to a video doorbell and be able to see if someone is standing on your front porch. 

2. Switch to Cloud-Based Security Systems

One of the latest home security trends involves VSaaS or Video as a Service. VSaaS refers to surveillance videos that aren’t stored on video tapes or CDs but in a cloud environment. This service also includes recording, storage, remote viewing, management alerts, cyber security, and more. 

Cloud cameras remove the standard complexity of surveillance. Once you purchase your camera and install it on your computer, you’ll get a unique web address. Then, once you login and change the username and password, you’ll get complete access to your camera. 

Keep in mind that these cameras are mainly used for interior home surveillance. However, you might be able to find an outdoor cloud camera and install it in a way that it doesn’t get damaged by outside conditions. 

3. Utilize Voice-Controlled Smart Systems

Voice-controlled smart systems utilize the power of voice assistants to help you interact with your connected devices. To use them, you must install smart speakers and connect them to your preferred voice assistant. 

There are many smart speakers on the market, but not all can offer the same quality of service. Some of the best smart speakers include: 

  • Sonos One
  • Amazon Echo
  • Google Nest Audio
  • Bose’s Home Speaker 500 

All these voice assistant systems can be integrated with your smart home security network to allow you total control over how each unit behaves. For example, you’ll enjoy effortless alarm management, and if you install smart locks, you’ll be able to lock your doors with a simple voice command. 

4. Install Exterior Lights and Motion Detectors

Some home security trends never die, like exterior lights and motion detectors. Motion-activated lights are known to deter burglars since they literally shine a light on their complete figure and face. 

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t have these simple items installed, believing they can’t physically deter the criminal or thinking it’s hard to install. While it’s true that lights can’t make someone physically move, it can make them scared, or increase the chance that they will be seen by a neighbor or yourself. Motion-detection lights are easy to install, but not all of them have the same features

For example, infrared lights can detect someone’s presence based on the heat. Some offer adjustable motion sensitivity, where you can decide how the lights will react based on the size of the intruder. The adjustable light timer also gives you an option to select how long the light will stay on for, once activated. 

5. Avoid Posting on Social Media While on Vacation

The latest online trends might make you feel that you have to share every aspect of your life. Unfortunately, sometimes your activity on social media can make you vulnerable to break-ins or burglary attempts. In today’s world, it’s essential to protect yourself online by thinking about what information you share. 

Remember that posting a photo from your favorite destination while you’re still on the trip can signal to thieves that your home is empty. It’s best if you wait until you’re back and then share what your vacation was like. 

If you really must post your latest photo instantly, make sure to mention that someone is watering your plants or feeding your pets while you’re gone, so potential burglars know the house is not deserted. Also, make sure to disable location tags on your camera. 

6. Improve Your Home Security Habits

If you feel like you’ve been too relaxed regarding your home security, it’s time to change some habits. First, make sure you know your neighbors, and they know you. Help them keep an eye on what’s happening in your area and work as a community to prevent crimes. 

Avoid hiding your spare keys outside your home. Sometimes, no matter how creative you think you are, burglars will outsmart you. They’ll know where to look or might even observe you before they make their move, so they see where you place your keys. 

Make sure you don’t give away your address to the public. Whether it’s on a key ring or posted on an ad that you made to sell something, you never know who might be watching. 

7. Don’t Forget the Garage

The attached garage can represent a crucial point of protection against burglars. Unfortunately, it’s a popular entry to the house for many people, so you should do your best to make sure it’s secure, and that it’s contents aren’t visible to outside onlookers. Keep the garage doors closed and keep your garage opener inside the house.  

Other things you can do to improve garage security include: 

  • Covering garage windows
  • Replacing your garage opener with a keyfob
  • Adding additional locks 
  • Securing your home entry door

Summary

Experiencing a break-in is a serious incident. Having your privacy violated and items from your home stolen can change your feeling of safety forever. Luckily, there are many things you can do to prevent burglaries from happening. The latest trends in home security involve smart technology that you can control with ease while enjoying extensive safety features. 

Modern tech aside, don’t forget about standard crime prevention strategies, like motion-detecting lights, and not giving out your address. Remember that you never know who might be watching; make sure to stay in touch with your neighbors and report anything suspicious.