Securing a Home in the Country

Securing your Home in the Country

Believe it or not, crime is not limited to big cities. People living in the country have just as much need to keep their property safe as those living in populated areas, perhaps even more so. The remote area of a country home can make an attractive target for criminals because there aren’t a lot of people around to notice them. The intruders can be wanting to take things, or even leave things behind. Many living in the country have a false sense of security because they might have guns or other ways to protect the home’s occupants. While it is a good idea to be safe, there are other dangers that aren’t best controlled by guns.

Here are some tips to keeping your country home safe and secure:

1)      Know your property and check it often. The marshy area on the outskirts of your property may not seem like a necessary place to visit regularly, but it is the perfect place for a criminal to hide something.

2)      Keep gates and fences well maintained. And keep them locked. Get in the habit of carrying the keys with you and locking up before you leave.

3)      Install the necessary lighting around your property especially at the street, along the drive and around the house and other buildings. In order to save electricity and money, install either a timer or motion sensor. Doing so will ensure you have light when you need it.

4)      Unmonitored tools and equipment stored away from the house can attract thieves. Consequently, check sheds and outbuildings regularly even if they are in the far corners of the estate.

5)      Another safety precaution is to install a system to alert you when someone is coming on to your property. Electronic sensors at the end of the drive will let you know as a car pulls in. Installing an intercom system will allow you to speak to that person before permitting entrance through the gate or at the door.

6)      Getting a pet (or a few) is a good idea. There are specific types of dogs bred to protect the family while scaring off intruders by intimidation. Picking a dog such as a Pit Bull, German Shepherd, Rot Wyler, or Irish Wolfhound will not only give you a loyal companion, but also an extra measure of country home security.

We wish you the best of luck in keeping your country home safe.