There’s nothing quite as unsettling as walking into your home only to find it’s been ransacked and that certain valuables are missing. And while no one ever wants to be the victim of a home burglary, many homeowners unwittingly make it all too easy for potential intruders to let themselves in.

You see, even though residential burglaries have been on a steady decline since the 1970’s, 2 million are still reported each year in the United States. And about 30% of them occur through an open or unlocked window or door. But now you can better protect your family, home, and belongings by following these important home protection measures.

• Store your ladder in the basement or locked garage to prevent would-be robbers from gaining a boost into an unlocked or open window on the second story.

• If you’re considering having a security system installed, don’t omit the second story or your basement. Secure your entire home.

• Make sure all your exterior doors have deadbolts. And if you have plain wood-panel doors, replace them with a steel-wrapped doors for added security.

• Make sure all entry points to your home are visible from the street. Trim back bushes and trees near windows and doors, and install motion-sensing lights at your walkway, garage, and exterior doors.

• If you have a mirror in your entryway, position it so that the alarm system is not visible if someone were to peer through a window. This way, no one can tell if it’s armed or not.

• Keep your valuables in a wall safe a portable safe that can simply be carried away. Better yet, rent a lock box at your local bank.

• Don’t let the whole world know you’re traveling. Save the comments and photos of your trip on social media until after you return, have someone pick up your mail and check in on your home periodically, and ask someone you trust to mow the lawn so that your home looks lived in.

Looking to do more to increase the value of your home while beefing up your defenses against would-be burglars?  Then contact Excel Electric for more information and a free quote on both internal and external lighting enhancements, including motion sensitive lights, footpath lighting, keyhole lights, and an indoor/outdoor lighting control system.