With years of experience in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, our team at Okey Locksmith knows a thing or two about house burglary prevention. Here, we’ll get into some practical advice on preventing residential burglaries and talk about how the right locks can go a long way.
Ready? Let’s start!
Improve Your Home Security System With These Tips
You might not realize it, but your home’s security likely has a lot of weaknesses and vulnerabilities that burglars won’t hesitate to take advantage of. Below are some of the ways you can make sure you’re not an easy target:
1. Start With the Obvious: Upgrade Your Locks
It’s surprising how many homes still have the same flimsy locks that came with the house, especially older ones. If your front door can be picked with a hairpin or easily bumped open, you definitely need an upgrade.
For your exterior doors, consider solid deadbolt locks, lock cylinders that resist bumping and drilling, and even electronic locks that let you control access with a keypad or application on your phone. For doors that lead to the garage or basement, treat them just as seriously as your front door.
2. Don’t Forget the Windows
Everyone focuses on doors, but windows (especially on the first floor) are a common way for thieves to gain entry into houses. Even if you keep your windows locked, weak or compromised material won’t be enough to keep your home safe.
You can do these:
- Get window locks.If yours don’t have them (or they’re loose or cheap), get high-quality locks installed.
- Use security film on your windows. It’s a clear layer that makes glass harder to shatter. Even if someone tries to break it, they’ll have a tough time actually getting in.
- Install pin locks for sliding windows.These stop the window from being slid open even if it’s unlocked.
- If you have basement or egress windows, don’t overlook those. They’re small but still big enough for someone to wiggle through.
3. Sliding Doors and Windows Need Backup
Sliding glass doors and sliding windows are beautiful but notoriously easy to mess with. The standard latching mechanism doesn’t do much. Anyone with a screwdriver or a strong kick could make it into your property in no time.
Add these layers of defense:
- A dowel rod or metal bar in the bottom track.
- Security pins or slide bolts that stop the door from being lifted out of the track.
- Shatterproof film, just like with windows.
Okey Locksmith can also install upgraded locks made specifically for sliding doors, and believe us, they’re way better than the stock hardware.
4. Motion-Activated Lighting
You don’t need a security system with monthly fees to scare off burglars. Sometimes, all it takes is a little light.
Motion sensor lights outside your house can deter burglars and protect your property. Mount them near doors, walkways, garage door areas, or any blind spots around your house. If there are people walking around at night and creeping close to your house, getting hit with bright light will make them think someone inside the house has caught them and will likely make them bolt.
Look for LED models that last a long time and don’t run up your electric bill. Battery-powered ones work great for spots that are hard to wire, though.
5. Security Cameras
As with motion-activated lights, most burglars get deterred when they spot security cameras around houses. There are even affordable systems that connect to your phone, alert you to movement and suspicious activity, and let you check in from anywhere. It’s worth investing in these cameras because just having them there is enough to make a lot of burglars think twice.
6. Landscaping
You might love the look of that big bush under your front window, but it can actually be used as a hiding place by burglars trying to break in without being seen.
Trim back bushes and trees that block the view of your doors and windows. You want your home to be visible from the street or from your neighbors’ houses. That visibility alone can be enough to deter thieves. It also helps police or security spot someone if there’s ever trouble.
7. Don’t Broadcast That You’re Away
You could have the best locks and alarm systems, but if you make it obvious that no one’s home, it still invites trouble.
Make sure you:
- Hold your mail and packages, or ask a neighbor to grab them.
- Use light timers to turn on lamps at night, even if you’re gone.
- Avoid posting travel updates on social media while you’re still away.
- Store valuables and large sums of money in a fire-proof safe.
8. Reinforce Entry Points
Make sure the entry points to your home are secure. This includes your garage door, front door, back door, and so on.
Some tips that can help:
- Replace the tiny screws in your door hinges and strike plates with 3-inch ones that anchor into the wall studs.
- Install a reinforced strike plate. These cost under $10 and dramatically increase door strength.
- Upgrade to solid-core doors for side and back entrances. These will hold up much better compared to hollow doors.
9. Consider Smart Tech
High-tech security devices are becoming more affordable these days. This is your sign to add it to your home security system.
Some of the things OKC homeowners are installing right now include:
- Smart locks that you can control with your phone or keypad.
- Video doorbells like Ring or Google Nest. Great for seeing who’s at your door in real time.
- Wi-Fi-enabled alarms that can alert you if a door or window is opened.
10. Do a Full Home Security System Checkup
It’s easy to overlook weak spots in your home when you see them every day. That’s why doing a security walkthrough once or twice a year is smart. We recommend calling a professional to get expert advice to make your home safer and more secure.
Other Home Security Prevention Tips to Keep in Mind
Now that we’ve talked about locks, cameras, and outdoor lighting, let’s go over a few other smart moves that often get overlooked but can significantly boost your home’s security.
- Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye out for you while you’re going out of town.
- If you have a home security system, make sure it’s actually working and connected to an alarm company that will respond quickly.
- Don’t leave keys in obvious hiding spots. Instead, store your spare key in a combination lockbox,
- Join or start a neighborhood watch group.
- Install peepholes if you don’t have them already.
- Document serial numbers of valuable items. Your insurance company might ask for these details if you file a claim, so it’s worth the extra effort.
Okey Locksmith Can Help Homeowners in the OKC Metro Stay Safe
Need a house locksmith? Okey Locksmith has been helping homeowners secure their homes and protect them from criminal activity for years by installing new locks, helping when someone gets locked out, and replacing old hardware.
We can help by:
- Upgrading locks, installing deadbolt locks, and recommending high-quality hardware.
- Setting up locks and helping homeowners feel comfortable using them.
- Installing access control systems.
- Offering full security audits, walking through your property with you, and pointing out weak spots.
So, if you’ve been meaning to improve your home’s security but haven’t gotten around to it, now’s the time to do it.
Protect Your Property Better With Our Expert Help
Home burglary can happen to anyone. The most important thing to remember is that this can also be avoided with the right security systems in place, including durable locks installed by professional locksmiths.
Contact Okey Locksmith today to schedule a service!
