Make a Secluded Home Less Accessible to Burglars

You may have heard that a home set far back from the road or a home with a good privacy hedge, may be more at risk for burglaries. This is because the privacy your yard offers also shields burglars as they try to break in. To counter the extra vulnerability your privacy affords, you'll want to increase your security so burglars won't target you.

You don't need to have armed guards with German shepherds patrolling your yard, but putting some thought into security precautions will make smash-and-grab burglaries less likely. Here are some ways to let burglars know that your home isn't an easy target even though it's not easily visible from the road.

1. Barking Dog

Dogs aren't always a complete protection against burglars. However, a dog that's physically intimidating may make a burglar think twice. And if you have multiple intimidating-looking dogs, so much the better. In addition, dogs that bark at intruders can be helpful. Barking can draw attention to your home despite the lack of visibility, alerting anyone nearby of the burglar.

2. Video Cameras and Security Systems

Video cameras (ideally as part of an overall security system) are another great way to counter a lack of visibility. Even if your neighbors can't see what's going on, your security system can see it. If you have your security feeds monitored in real time, this could give you the ability to have a burglary stopped as it occurs.

However, your video cameras are more likely to simply prevent a burglary. After all, burglars are likely to look around for visible cameras (since they don't want to get caught on camera doing anything illegal). If they see the camera, they know they're still visible and liable to be caught in the act, even if they're out of view of the neighbors.

3. Thorny Bushes and High Fences

A high chain-link fence can make your home more difficult to access without further cutting down on visibility. You can also use short, but wide, thorny hedges to make getting over the fence more difficult. In addition, place thorny plants under your windows, so the windows will be less attractive access points.

One unconventional plant choice is a prickly pear cactus (be sure to choose a variety with long thorns). Unlike some bushes that conceal their thorns under leaves until you actually try to get through, a cactus makes no bones about being a painful plant to bypass. And prickly pears sprawl in a dense thicket once established, unlike more upright cactuses.

4. Extra Security Lighting

Every home security system should include security lighting. Although the majority of break-ins occur during business hours, that doesn't mean you shouldn't protect against nighttime break-ins as well.

When paired with a good security system (which includes video cameras viewing all sides of your home), security lights can help you catch any break-ins on camera. Even if the break-in happens at night, your cameras will still be able to get a good view of the occurrence. So if your would-be invader sees both security lights and video cameras, they may think twice.

These precautions can help you counter any vulnerability your home may take on by being in a secluded location. Burglars often prefer to go for an easy target. Dogs, painful plants, and security systems guarding against their entry sends the message that your home is not the target they're looking for.

For more information about setting up and monitoring a top-of-the-line security system, get in touch with Phoenix Access Control today. We can offer both security camera systems and access control systems to help protect your home and family from intruders.