The basement is a popular place for burglars to gain access to a home. Underground areas tend to be less protected and more secluded than other sections, and typically allow unrestricted access to the rest of the house. With that in mind, you must take all the necessary steps to safeguard your basement so you can adequately protect your family and your home. Let’s take a look at nine ways you can make your basement safe from unwanted intruders.
-
Lock Your Doors And Windows
It may sound obvious, but an alarming number of Australians neglect to lock the windows and doors of their basements in the false belief that nobody would try to enter their home. The fact of the matter is that burglars are always on the lookout for soft targets, and an unlocked door and window is an open invitation to waltz right in.
The solution is simple: keep your windows and doors locked at all times.
-
Upgrade Your Door
Does your old basement door cut it security-wise? Probably not.
Burglars love accessing homes through old doors, either kicking them down, smashing the glass, or removing the locks. And your basement door is just as vulnerable as your front door, so it pays to invest in a security door to things safe. The modern security door has been specially designed to be almost impossible to break into, making it the ideal option to protect your home.
-
Install a Security System
Home Security Systems are among the most effective safety measures you could take, both for your basement and the upper sections of your home. A wide variety of systems are available to choose from, so invest in one that aligns with your personal home security requirements.
Be sure to make your cameras easily visible, as burglars are up to 300% less likely to attempt a break-in when a security system is in place.
-
Get Bars or Grills for the Windows
It may look a little unsightly, but bars over your windows are a sure-fire way to keep the bad guys at bay. After all, these sturdy steel grills require an angle grinder to cut through, and no robber is going to go to such extremes. Besides, some speciality window bars are designed for aesthetics, so you don’t have to turn your home into a formidable prison-like building just to stay secure.
-
Install Window Film And Polycarbonate Sheets
Even if you’d rather not install bars, at least consider upgrading your windows. Polycarbonate Sheets are far stronger than ordinary glass, while window film makes climbing inside difficult and dangerous after being smashed.
-
Get a Guard Dog
Not only are dogs a man’s best friend, but they make for superb canine security personnel as well. Invest in a species that are renowned for being capable guard dogs such as German Shepard’s, Rottweilers and Dobermans. Dogs have a keen ability to sense an intruder (or visitor) from a mile away, so you’ll be alerted to the presence of a burglar long before they’ve had the chance to break-in.
-
Install Outside Sensor Lights
Burglars and home invaders often operate under cover of darkness, striking their targets when the homeowner and neighbours are unable to see a thing.
Therefore, a simple way to thwart their efforts is to install a sensor light around your basement access points. Couple that with a security camera, and would-be robbers will scurry away post-haste.
-
Block Off Windows
Windows are an easy way to break into a basement, so it pays to do everything possible to mitigate the risk. One easy way is to block them off with garden ornaments or plants. Prickly cactuses serve as a particularly powerful deterrent. In the same vein, avoid leaving any furniture around that a burglar could climb on to access a higher window.
-
Keep Your Valuables Out Of Sight
Robbers often peer through windows to see if there’s anything valuable around before deciding whether or not to break in. Therefore, it pays to ensure your valuables are kept safely out of harm’s way.
There are several ways you could do so: draw your curtains, install one-way glass, physically move your valuables, etc.
Although your basement is a notoriously vulnerable point of your home, it needn’t be. Following these nine simple security measures will safeguard your basement from harm, allowing you to effectively protect your most valuable asset: your home and the people within.
