A guide to protecting your rural home from intruders

Home security should not be taken lightly. Intruders can break into your home and make off with your possessions at any moment. This is especially true for rural homes, which tend to be located in sparsely populated areas. If you live in a rural area and your house lacks any sort of home security system, it will remain an easy target for a potential home invasion. Protect your rural home against intruders by following this simple guide. (h/t to MDCreekmore.com.)

Install alarms around your perimeter

There are a variety of alarms that can serve as an early warning system against intruders. They often come in two types, such as audio alarms and visual alarms, but combinations of these alarms do exist. Even if you’re alone at home, these alarms can let you monitor your entire household. There are alarms that only notify you directly if someone has entered your premises, while other alarms will also alert the intruder that his presence has been detected. Loud noises can startle your intruder and possibly deter any further attempts at trespassing. You can even spray paint your alarm units to better blend in with their surroundings. This will help prevent any attempts at deactivating or working around the units.

Invest in surveillance cameras

Knowing if an intruder has entered your premises is one thing. Being able to see their every move is another. You can increase visibility around your property by installing a home surveillance system. This will also allow you to have video evidence of the perpetrator being caught in the act. You can use this footage to either identify the intruder in a police lineup or help the police apprehend him if he is able to escape. You can even synchronize an outdoor camera system with your cell phone to receive updates on any suspicious activity detected. Equip all entrances and exits to your home with a video surveillance system for added security and peace of mind.

Fortify all possible entrances

Secure all your doors and windows with high quality locks. Consider installing a locked gate to your driveway if you don’t already have one. This provides an additional barrier between you and any would-be intruders. You can also install an access control system for your gate, so that you can keep track of everyone who enters and exits your home and how often the gate was opened. Furthermore, you can secure your doors with deadbolts and multiple locking mechanisms. The harder your locks are to pick, the better. It would also be a good idea to reinforce your door frame. (Related: Simple strategies you can implement NOW to significantly improve your home security.)

Keep your outdoor areas well-lighted and free from obstructions

Trespassers can easily hide under the cover of darkness or make use of any objects in your yard that may obstruct your view. If you have a clear view of your perimeter, you can immediately spot anything or anyone that isn’t supposed to be there. Use motion-activated lights if you can. They can stop a thief in their tracks just as effectively as a noisy alarm can.

Always remember “stranger danger”

Anyone can knock on your door and pretend to be someone they’re not. Be on the lookout if an unexpected guest or delivery arrives. It could be a ruse to lower your guard. Never let people in if you don’t know who they are. If they have legitimate reasons for wanting to enter your home, ask them to first provide some valid form of identification. Keep your pepper spray close by if they do have to enter. At the same time, you should also make an effort to get to know your neighbors by name and face. Earn their trust just as they would want to earn yours.

Keep your home prepared from any threats by going to Preparedness.news.

Sources include:

MDCreekmore.com

VectorSecurity.com

BackdoorSurvival.com