Building a House? Design It to Combat Crime

Several research projects have concluded that the way a building is designed helps deter criminals. With that in mind, it might be helpful for you to review these design tips when building your home so that you can be ahead of the game in terms of preventing burglary. Even if you do implement some of these designs, remember that it is still recommended that you install a home security system in your house to deter crime even more.1. Install windows so that they overlook your driveway and street. This provides the perception that criminals can be seen. Burglars want to do their work out of the view of homeowners, so they will often pick homes that do not have windows facing the street.2. Leave you window treatments open. Again, burglars don’t want to take the chance that someone could look out and see what they are doing.3. Build your home on a busy street that gets regular traffic. The more people watching your house, the better.4. If you are going to install a fence around your property, make it as transparent and as short as you can. Fences create hiding places and criminals love hiding places.5. Install security lighting around your property. Studies show that security lighting can be almost effective at deterring crime as a home security system. Criminals do not like light. They want to do their crimes in the dark where they stand a better chance of not being seen.6. Make sure that pathways, stairs, children’s play areas, entrances and exits are all well-lit.7. Ensure that your security lighting is at the proper height so that people’s faces are lit up. You want to be able to identify any criminal that comes calling.8. Plant low, thorny bushes underneath windows that are at ground level. This will discourage criminals from trying to break in through these windows. Burglars like to think they are tough, but they don’t want to be scratched up by thorns just like any other person.9. Do not leave anything outside that would give a criminal access to the upper floors of your house.10. Maintain your lawn and garden to suggest that someone is actively present in the home.11. Display security signs around your home, even if you do not have an alarm system installed. Just the suggestion of an alarm system is often enough to deter burglars from even trying to break in.

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