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5 Tips to Deter Intruders

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The holiday season is upon us. It’s a time for coming together and celebrating, giving and receiving gifts, and being thankful and grateful for what we have. Unfortunately, it is also a time when we are susceptible to being victims of crime. Read on how to make the holiday season remembered for all the right reasons.

  1. Recycle

Yes, you read it correctly, and you may be questioning how your recycling can affect your potential for being a victim of crime. The cardboard boxes that you leave out on the curb for the recycling collection are a very clear indicator to people that you have recently had a whole lot of new equipment that is a prime target for intruders. Break up your cardboard boxes into smaller pieces so that they fit in bins.

  1. Light up

Install LED flood lights from E-conolight into your garden or yard so that your outside space is adequately lit. Pay attention to doorways and any dark passageways or vulnerable areas. Not only are you burglar proofing your outside space, but making it safer for you to use the space in the dark too. Invest in some timers for lamps for inside your home, so that they come on when it gets dark. Don’t light up your living spaces as this will just illuminate the fact the house is empty; instead, opt for lamps in hallways of upstairs rooms that will give the illusion of someone being home.

  1. Landscape

Don’t be tempted to leave your garden or yard to become neglected over winter. Just because you are not outside enjoying it like you do in milder seasons, it does not mean that you should allow it to become unkempt. Unkempt gardens provide ideal hiding places for intruders to watch your home from. Try to mow the lawn once again before winter becomes too harsh: people equate long grass lawns with homes whose occupants have gone away on vacation. Keep items such as ladders locked away in a garage or storage to prevent any opportunistic robbers from being able to access your home – they tend not to bring their own!

  1. Mirror, mirror on the wall

Mirrors are essential accessories for any interior; however, check what view your mirror can provide an outside inquisitive intruder. Can they see whether your security system is activated by looking in the mirror? Or, perhaps they can see the car keys on the console table? Step outside and look through the windows to examine what your mirror reflects, it may be more than you had hoped. Cut to size mirrors can help avoid the scenario where the current mirror is offering a view for potential intruders, fitting to dimensions that suit your house layout.

  1. If you can’t make it, fake it

From the street, an intruder will not be able to tell whether your CCTV cameras are real or dummy, and nor will they hang around to test it! You can also purchase decals of a fake alarm system to deter opportunistic thieves further. Another great trick to use is for your neighbors to leave footprints in the driveway and around the yard if it snows while you are away.

People rob houses as and when they see fit – if the right circumstances are aligned. They will not enter a home or property if they consider that the chances of getting caught are high. Use these tips to reduce the chances of your home being targeted so that you can enjoy the rest of the holiday season in peace.

How to Create the Illusion of Privacy When You Live in an Apartment Building

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Urban living requires that we live in close proximity to our neighbors. Apartments are innovative solutions to urban overpopulation, allowing everyone to have a comfortable home to live and work in, but the closeness of neighbors means that you can often hear movement, talking, and life through your walls. You don’t have to suffer under the din, instead, you can use these methods to soundproof your apartment and give you the illusion of privacy.

  1. Buy Rugs

Rugs can easily and cheaply soundproof your home. Not only that, but they can also help muffle your own movements, so you don’t have to be quite as paranoid about annoying your neighbors every time you move your chair too loudly. The thicker the rugs you choose, the better. They can also make your apartment much warmer, so you can save on your utilities bill as well.

  1. Wall Hangings

Depending on what you’re doing in your apartment, you can benefit either from hanging tapestries, or even installing a few soundproof panels. It depends entirely on your budget. While this won’t sound proof your home, it will help absorb the sound, so at the very least the noise doesn’t bounce around your room. Bookshelves also apply to this, and you can increase the amount of noise blocking by adding a piece of foam behind your shelves.

  1. Increase the Soft Surfaces

Sound is absorbed by soft surfaces such as textiles and fabrics, so reduce the amount of echo by increasing the number of soft surfaces you have in your flat. This can be done by getting tablecloths, couches, or cushioned chairs. What you can do depends on the size of your space, but aim for comfort and you’ll also cut down the noise.

  1. Windows

A lot of noise comes in through your windows, so buying thick curtains can help you cut out the noise (especially at night). As a bonus, this is another great method to keeping your home insulated and warm, so you can stay comfortable in the middle of winter without having the heating constantly on.

  1. Hide the Noise

When you need absolute silence, however, you need to invest in some earplugs. They are the only way to truly cut out most the noise in your apartment. If you want to listen to music without outside interference, however, choose one of the best noise cancelling headphones under 100. Similarly, if you don’t want something around or in your ears to drown out the noise, you can instead try a white noise machine. Getting all three will ensure that you have the quiet you need, whatever you’re doing.

You won’t be able to escape all noise in your apartment – that’s just the way that apartment living is. You will, however, be able to reduce echo and even be able to drown out noises so that you can live with the illusion of absolute privacy. If all else fails, you’ll have to contact your landlord to discuss with your loud neighbors what they can do to keep their own noise levels down.