Is Your Home an Easy Target for Burglars?

Kelly's house was recently the target of an attempted break-in, but the bad-guys gave up and never made their way in. Is your house an easy target?

So often break-ins are a cases of 'opportunity' for criminals -- as they search for the path of least resistance. Here are some easy things you can do to put a few more obstacles in their path.

Are Your Doors Secure?

• Solid exterior doors offer much more resistance than hollow ones do.
• Deadbolts, strike plates, smart locks, and cameras can provide another layer of defense.
• The bad guys love sliding doors because they often have cheap latches. Use a safety bar inside the door track.

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What About The Windows?

• Get in the habit of locking your windows when you leave home or go to bed.
• Other products are available to compliment or reinforce your window's locks.

Secure That Garage!

• An attached garage can be a route of easy-entry into your home.
• Keep your garage door down and latched.
• Always lock the door leading from the garage into your home.

Have You Replaced the Locks?

• When you move into a new home, be sure to replace all the locks.
• This is also a good time to upgrade old, cheap locks with higher quality, bad-guy resistant options.

Get Your Yard in Order

• A cluttered yard with trees and bushes blocking the view of your home make things easier for burglars.
• Automatic, motion-sensing lights make things tough on the bad guys.

Man's Best Friend

• Dogs discourage intruders. Simple as that.
• If you don't have a dog, a 'Beware of Dog' sign might help.

Hide Your Keys in the Right Spot

• Or better yet, don't hide them -- instead, leave them with a trusted neighbor,
• Bad Ideas: Under the doormat, in the mail box, or under that fake rock.
• Good Idea: A combination lock box.

What About a Security System

• A security system can a big deterrent to criminals, but it's not a substitute for all the above to-do items.
• There are a multitude of options from hard-wired, to wireless -- systems with cameras, mobile apps, and more.

Finally, many law enforcement departments will come to your home and conduct home security check. Just remember to call the non-emergency number when inquiring.

Pete Hanson is on 98.1 Minnesota's New Country weekday mornings from 5:30 to 10:00.