Raleigh, NC Crime Information and Alerts

Keeping Your Home Safe in Raleigh

Raleigh is a beautiful place to live and raise a family. The temperate climate and affordable housing draw many people to the North Carolina metropolis. While crime may not seem like a concern for a city named in the top 10 “Best Places to Live,” a burglary can turn your world upside down in a matter of minutes. The idea may be scary but you can easily keep your home and family protected. Your Raleigh home security doesn’t have to be complicated either. All it just takes some preparation and common sense.

Sometimes people open their home to a crime because they aren’t taking the right precautions. Here are some of the most common home security mistakes:

• --Locks: Whether you’re leaving your home for 10 minutes or 10 hours, you should always lock all doors and windows including your garage. A burglar will try to gain access to your home through any first floor entry point. If they don’t succeed, some will even try the second story or basement windows. Even if you’re just running next door to chat with your neighbor, take the time to lock up first. A thief can be in and gone in the short time you were gone.  

• --Lighting: Did you know 33% of burglaries occur during the night? Burglars often look for easy targets and a poorly lit house fits that category. If you have bright exterior lighting you will minimize the places a burglar can hide and your chances of being a victim.   

• --Landscaping: Many people think they should have tall fences and shrubbery to hide their home and possessions behind. However, this is not true. One of your best weapons against a burglar is your neighbors. If they cannot see your home, how can they help?  Not to mention, the overgrown shrubs provide great cover for the burglar who’s trying to sneak in. 

• --Raleigh Alarm system: While 33% of burglaries occur at night, the other 66% occur during the day when a majority of residents are not home. Burglars have learned over the years, and become cleverer with their disguises. Often times, they will dress like a dog walker, maintenance man, utility worker, etc. While your neighbors can certainly be useful, they may not always recognize a burglar when they see one. For this reason, a home security system is your best line of defense. Many options are DIY and take next to no time to install. 

Keeping your home safe isn’t about finding one home security measure; it’s about using practicality on a regular basis. If you leave, lock up. If it’s dark out, turn on your exterior lights. After all, the more you practice these safety tips, the sooner your home security will become second nature.