Traditional measures to keep your home safe and secure

All of us are victims of crime of one sort or another at some point in our lives. Thankfully, for the most part, it is of the minor variety and little more than an inconvenience. Burglary in domestic homes is something we hear plenty about – and although it is relatively rare, the feelings of violation at having someone invade your personal space can stay with a victim long after the event is over.

It is debatable whether the “good old days” of leaving homes unlocked and being safe from crime really existed, but even if they did, they are long gone now. Our homes are better protected than ever, but as the security gets more sophisticated, so do the criminals.

Yet there are some simple things that do not involve expensive technology that can make every home safer. Here are some traditional remedies for enhanced home security.

1) Get a dog

There are plenty of reasons it is great to have a dog in your life, and specialists like the team at Douglas Hall Kennels have plenty to choose from. Suggesting a dog as a means of improving domestic security does not mean you need a big, scary-looking guard dog tied to a chain. The idea is not to rip intruders to shreds, but to act as a deterrent. And for that, any size of dog will do. Even if it is of the type that would be more likely to lick a burglar to death than anything else, the sound of barking from inside your house is enough to convince would-be intruders to keep walking.

2) Gravel driveway

You might wonder what help a gravel driveway is in keeping your home secure. But if you have ever tried to walk down one late at night without waking the family, you will understand. It is next to impossible to cross gravel silently, and again, this is an effective deterrent – two steps in, the burglar is likely to retreat.

3) Install trellis

Some people say, half seriously, that they would like to install razor wire and broken glass on their boundaries to keep trouble makers out. That could lead to more problems than it solves, but a less drastic and more attractive option is wooden trellis. As well as being perfect for climbing plants, it serves as an early warning system against intruders. Anyone trying to climb over it will inevitably break it, making enough noise to wake the entire neighborhood.

4) Plant prickly garden plants 

There are a couple of ways you can ensure your garden does not look inviting to uninvited guests. One is to keep all your shrubs and well trimmed and pruned. A garden full of sprawling shrubs provides plenty of tempting cover. The other thing that is well worth considering is to choose thorny varieties of shrubs to go near your windows. They will make the very idea of trying to break in a prickly proposition for even the most determined of housebreakers.

*This is a collaborative post