Burglars love scoping out their next lucrative target via the backyard, so it's of utmost importance to discourage unwanted intruders from entering in the first place. But how, exactly, can you protect your backyard? While you might not be able to secure it completely, there are several things you can do to mitigate the risk.
Here are the top 5 ways.
Put Your Stuff Away
Leaving valuables exposed outside is like an open invitation for delinquents to come in and pillage. And once they've entered your backyard to steal something, they might decide your house looks like an easy target and have a crack at breaking in.
A good way to keep the robbers from wandering in is to tidy your yard regularly. Ensure things like bikes, lawnmowers, and large or fancy looking tools are secured, or at the very least, kept out of sight. Maintaining a secure and orderly yard also gives the impression that you're serious about security.
Set Up a Perimeter
Humans have been putting up perimeters to keep the bad guys out since medieval times, and there's no reason not to adopt the same approach to your humble back yard. The type of perimeter you choose to erect will depend on many factors: budget, taste, conforming to the rest of the house, and the crime rate in your suburb, etc. You'll also need to check local council regulations to determine if there are any restrictions in your area.
One popular option is those tall green tin fences, which are sturdy but rather unsightly. Wrought iron is far more attractive and tough enough to keep all but the most determined invaders away. Natural hedges can be effective as well, especially those which contain plenty of prickles and thorns. If you'd like to reinforce a fence you share with your neighbour, you'll need to arrange an agreement with them first.
Light It Up
Burglars hate well-lit areas when operating at night. An easy way to help secure your home is to ensure you've install ample lighting across your backyard. Of course, you don't want to light up your yard 24/7, as that'd be a terrible waste of electricity. The easy solution is to use a motion sensor floodlight that covers the most crucial areas of your yard. Just be sure it won't go off for passers-by or blast blinding light inside your home.
Get a Four-Legged Friend
Dogs are the bane of the burglar's existence. Even the cute and cuddly pedigrees make enough noise to discourage a robber from entering your yard, let alone your home. If you happen to be a cat person, then you can at least install a "beware of the dog" sticker on your gate to trick the baddies into thinking otherwise.
Install a Security System
Investing in a home security system is the single most effective step you can take towards securing both your backyard and your home. Easily visible security cameras will discourage the vast majority of would-be thieves from going anywhere near your yard, while an alarm will send them running the second they try to break in. Recording footage of a burglary is also useful for insurance claims and providing evidence to law enforcement.
High-end systems have motion sensors that can alert you or a monitoring team about unexpected movement in your backyard, which you can review remotely to assess the threat.
By adopting these five simple tips into your everyday life, you'll be well on your way towards creating a safer backyard. A more secure exterior ultimately means your home and family will be safer as well.
