Improve safety with some unusual approaches to home security

Are you doing all you can to make sure that your home is safe? Burglar alarms and motion sensors will deter invaders to a certain extent, but it never hurts to have a little extra protection for you and your family. Add these security measures to your current safety plan for greater peace of mind.

Take Care of the Yard

Unkempt grass and untrimmed bushes announce that you’re away and make your house a prime target for enterprising thieves. Overgrown hedges make perfect places for potential housebreakers to stay out of sight while scoping out your property. Piles of wood at the sides of the house or shed can act as “ladders” for easy entry. If you can’t keep up with the demands of your yard or you tend to be away from home for long stretches of time, consider hiring a landscaping service. They’ll keep your yard looking neat and trim even when you’re out of town.

Project a Menacing Image

You want your home to be inviting to guests, not burglars. That means striking a balance between creating an inviting atmosphere for the visitors you want and scaring away those you don’t. There’s an opportunity to be imaginative when doing this, including turning simple landscaping elements such as rose bushes into unpleasantly sharp “traps” by positioning them beneath first-story windows. A tall, solid fence made from wood or wrought iron with decorative spikes running along the top looks nice from a design standpoint, but it clearly tells criminals that you’re not going to put up with them coming into your yard. Add a “Beware of Dog” sign somewhere on the property to complete the image.

Strengthen the Windows

Windows are weak points in any home. It’s all too easy for thieves to break the glass and climb in or smash a few panes and make off with whatever they can grab through the hole. Adding security film thwarts their efforts by holding glass together after it shatters. This serves the dual purpose of preventing unwanted entry and stopping glass from scattering all over the floor inside. Security films may be clear or tinted, with tinted versions providing added protection from the harmful effects of UV rays. Available in a range of thicknesses, these films are also useful for lessening damage during bouts of severe weather.

A secure home is a peaceful home, and Sunbusters Window Tinting Limited stocks a range of safety and security films to help bring about that sense of comfort. Contact us to discuss your options, and we’ll help you decide which type of window tint is right for your Austin home.