As a single mom, you already have a ton on your plate, from helping your child with homework, to taking them to sporting events. Home safety might be low on your priority list, but with more than two million homes broken into each year in the U.S., according to an FBI report, creating a safety plan with your family should be added to your schedule. As a capable woman, there are a number of things you can do to outsmart the bad guys. The good news is, most of them are pretty basic.

Cut the Hedges

If there are trees, hedges, bushes or any other greenery blocking your windows, cut them back so your windows are clearly visible from the street. The idea is to give a criminal nowhere to hide if he’s lurking around your house or seeking entry.

Locks

Have a sturdy dead bolt lock installed on every exterior door. It’s an inexpensive way to block entry to your home. Remember to use the locks that are already in place on your windows and doors, even if you’re just leaving the house for a short time.

Extra Door Blocks

Something as simple as a cut-down broom handle lying in the track of a sliding door can make it almost impossible for a bad guy to slip in. The same is true of any sliding windows you have in your home. Another inexpensive fix is a metal door stopper positioned between the doorknob and floor of exterior doors. It simply sits on a rubber stopper on the floor and is wedged in under the doorknob. It is nearly impossible for anyone to get in when the apparatus is in place.

Dog

Even if you have the sweetest dog in the world, he’s not likely to want a stranger in your house. As long as your dog can bark, it is likely that criminals will be wary. While there is no reason to teach your dog to be aggressive, his natural tendency to protect his “people” may be enough to scare a thief away.

Double Protection

While a noisy dog may be enough to scare the bad guys away, consider a security system that does more. It can be tempting to buy a system that simply makes noise when someone comes in uninvited, but LifeShield security systems encourages consumers to consider doing more. Find out how much it would cost to install a system that will not only make noise, but also alert the authorities in the event of trouble. That way, you’re protected in more than one fashion. Teach teenagers how to operate the system so that they are safe when you’re away.

Lighting

Install exterior motion sensor lights. They don’t cost much more than standard long-burning light bulbs, but will illuminate the area when anyone gets near. That illumination may be all it takes to scare off a stranger.

Get to Know Your Neighbors

Because everyone is so busy, it has become the norm to remain isolated in a neighborhood, never getting to know your neighbors. Those very neighbors can be one of your greatest assets when it comes to home safety. Become friends, exchange phone numbers, and promise to keep an eye on each other’s property. One of the least expensive, most effective ways to fight crime is for neighbors to stick together and pay attention to what’s going on in their block, as the National Crime Prevention Council reports.

Take basic steps to make your home a safer place so that you can focus your energy where it’s needed most — on your family.

Author: Candace Baumgardner