Your home is your greatest asset, and all of the belongings inside symbolize years of hard work and treasured memories. As such, you need to keep your property adequately protected. Unfortunately, break-ins do happen, and they account for many home insurance claims every year. According to a recent study by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a burglary takes place approximately every 23 seconds. Reduce your risk of significant financial loss by taking the following precautions.

How to Improve Your Home Security 

1. Use Outdoor Lighting

Keeping your home illuminated at night can help deter potential criminals. Most will bypass well-lit houses to avoid being seen. It’s also wise to invest in motion-activated lights, which will come on any time someone walks onto your property. Having a sudden spotlight shining directly down on them should be good reason for a thief to think twice about committing a crime. Outdoor lights are also useful when you go away on vacation; they can be programmed to turn on and off at certain times to give the impression that someone is home. 

2. Install Security Cameras 

A video camera acts as another effective deterrent against unwelcome guests. In many cases, simply having cameras visible on your property will be enough to stop a would-be criminal from targeting your house. With today’s advanced technology, it has become easier than ever to identify people caught on camera, and most thieves don’t want to take the chance they’ll be arrested. Security cameras also allow you to monitor your home from any remote location through your mobile devices. This way, you can take immediate action if you notice anything suspicious.

3. Purchase Adequate Home Insurance

Home insurance is designed to help mitigate your losses if your property is stolen or damaged. However, you have to make sure you’re properly covered for the value of your belongings. Often, this requires buying endorsements for particularly expensive items, such as jewelry, electronics, artwork, and antiques. Any time you acquire more items of high value, your policy should be reviewed and adjusted accordingly. 

If you’re not sure that your current home insurance policy provides enough protection in the event of a break-in, reach out to Stidham Insurance Agency for help exploring your options. They’ll assess the value of your possessions and determine if you can benefit from additional coverage. Based in Moore County, TX, they’ve been serving residents throughout the Panhandle for 50 years. Call (806) 935-6888 to schedule a policy review, or visit them online for more information on the various products they offer.