If you live in Florida, you may already be aware that as a state, it has a fluctuating crime rate, and as with many other states, whether you fall victim to a crime like burglary, can depend a lot on which area of the state you live in. Residents of Florida generally view the northeast part of the state to be the safest in terms of property crime, with the chance of being a victim of this type of crime as low as 1 in 102. In the north neighborhoods, however, those odds are raised to 1 in 23.
While crime rates do change year on year, Florida typically remains in the bottom 50% of states, making the need to secure your property if you live here, an immediate concern.
So, if you’ve just moved to Florida (or any state, for that matter) and want to make sure your home is as secure as it can be, even if you live in a high crime area, here are some tips:
Begin with your doors and windows
You can take a whole bunch of other security measures, but most of these are next to useless if you don’t properly secure your doors and windows. These are the most common entry points for burglars and thieves, and as such, need to be fortified with strong locks – chat to your local licensed locksmith about your options – that are properly installed.
Illuminate the most vulnerable areas of your home
Sensor controlled lights are a fantastic deterrent for criminals, after all, who wants to be in the spotlight when attempting to break in to someone’s property? Position them strategically around your home, and try to avoid growing bushes or keeping large items such as trash cans close to entry points, that burglars could hide behind.
Invest in a security system
Security systems can be as basic or as high-tech as your budget will allow, and can involve all manner of monitoring devices such as cameras and CCTV. To discuss your options in greater detail, call in to see your local locksmith, or better yet, schedule a time when they can come and assess your property in person, and advise you of how best to secure it.
Lock your garage securely, too
This is especially important if you store items of value inside your garage, or if there is access to your home through a side door inside the garage. Basic locks won’t cut the mustard when it comes to a determined thief, so choose a high security lock to make sure it’s truly burglar-proof.
Purchase a safe
How big a safe you buy, and how much you decide to spend on one, is entirely up to you, but fire-rated safes are a fantastic way to keep precious items and/or documents safe, so that even if you are targeted by criminals, they won’t be able to make away with your most valued or sentimental belongings.
Even if you don’t live in a high crime state, the above security measures are always a smart move and the more secure your home is, the more peace of mind you’ll have.
