Environmental Design and Deterrence
Standard guidelines recommend adhering to CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). Ensure that your perimeter is well-lit at night to eliminate hiding spots. Overgrown bushes near windows should be trimmed. Visible outdoor CCTV cameras act as a primary psychological deterrent.
Target Hardening
Make it physically difficult for an intruder to enter. Upgrade flimsy deadbolts to modern smart locks that cannot be easily picked or bumped. Ensure sliding windows have secondary locks or stoppers. If you are leaving for a long vacation, use smart plugs to put your lights on a timer, giving the illusion that the house is occupied.
For more specific actionable tips, review our complete Burglary Prevention Guide.