Keep Your Home Safe from Burglars with These Home Improvement Projects

Home improvement projects are not always about improving the look of your home, sometimes they can be used to keep your home safe too. Criminals, such as burglars, prey on homes that are easy to get in and out of quickly, but will bypass a home that is well protected or visible from the road. You can keep your home safe from burglars with these home improvement projects. All you'll need is one weekend to complete everything on your safety checklist.

Trim hedges that may conceal your home

Large or overgrown hedges give criminals a place to hide. By trimming hedges back, or removing them altogether, you'll make your home more visible from the street (and your neighbors), which will help keep your home safe and deter burglars.

Install new locks and deadbolts

If criminals can't get into your home, they can't steal your precious belongings. Replace old or defective locks with newer, safer, models and add deadbolts and/or sliding locks that can't be picked. In addition, if you have recently purchased a home, change all the locks in the house at once! Repairman, realtors, previous owners, and so on, may still have the keys that can unlock your doors.

Sliding doors should be locked and blocked with a piece to keep your home safe.

Replace light bulbs in outdoor fixtures

Keep your home safe from burglars at night by brightly illuminating the area around it. Criminals are drawn to dark homes because they can't be seen. A well lit exterior will eliminate any hiding spots that criminals may use to enter or vandalize your home.

Invest in motion detector lighting

One of the most important home improvement projects you can complete to keep your home safe is to install motion detector lighting outdoors. This type of lighting goes on whenever movement is detected and it is affordable and easy to install. Not only will it help keep your home safe from burglars, but it's also nice to have when you come home after dark. When you pull up in the driveway, the exterior lights come on automatically for you to illuminate your walking path.

Purchase closable drapes or curtains

Drapes or curtains that stay open at night invite criminals to peek inside and see what's there for the taking. Purchase closable drapes or curtains that can be pulled open during the day to let in light, but can be easily closed at night to provide privacy and security to your home.

Trim away tree branches near windows

Large tree branches can be used by criminals to gain easy access to upper floors. Keep tree branches that sit near windows or rooftops neatly trimmed to keep your home safe from burglars.

Consider a home security system

If you live in a high crime neighborhood, you should seriously consider investing in a home security system. Most of these units can be installed and leased on a month-to-month basis, and are a worthwhile investment for those that worry daily about home invasion or break-ins. If you cannot afford a home security system, you may be able to purchase a sign that alerts criminals that there is a system in the house. It may be a white lie, but it could be all you need to keep your home safe from burglars.

More helpful articles from Jennifer Wagner:

12 Weekend Home Improvement Projects

Lock Bumping Prevention

How to Save Money on Your Home Improvement Project

SOURCE:

Personal knowledge and experience

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network