Protecting your home from intruders does not have to be an expensive ordeal. Buying state-of-the-art burglar systems can leave your wallet empty and take a long time to pay off.

Here are 6 ways to protect your home without having to spend a fortune.

1.  Always Keep Doors and Windows Locked

While this first point may seem trivial and obvious to most, a lot of burglaries occur when doors and windows are not secured. This happens because the intruders tend to stake out areas and watch whether people regularly lock their doors, how often they are home and whether they have alarm systems.

If they stake out your area and realize that you always leave a window open at the side, then that home becomes the next target. So make sure to always check that doors and windows are locked before going out. This increases the security of the home significantly without you having to spend a penny.

2. Install Hidden Cameras

Another way to increase the security of your home is to install hidden cameras in high-risk areas of the house. If you plan to use spy gear in your home, then you need to be tactical in how you use it. For example, you could install a camera that is hidden somewhere on the front door or perhaps somewhere in the garden near the back door.

There is no point using cameras in areas where you are unlikely to catch intruders on tape. So, if worst comes to worst and someone does break into your home, at least you will have the footage to help police catch the perpetrator and help to bring back your valuables and belongings.

3. Update Locks

This is another point that seems obvious, but years go by and homeowners neglect to change their locks. As a result, intruders become more sophisticated and learn how to break into properties with older locks. If you are someone who rents, then you have every right to ask your landlord to install new locks if the current ones are deemed unsafe or unfit for purpose. It is not uncommon for landlords to use old, shoddy locks because they are cheaper. While it is easy to put off, updating your locks is one of the most cost-effective ways to ensure the security of your home.

4. Reinforce Doors and Windows

There is no point in having rock-solid locks if your doors are weak and flimsy, as these can be kicked off the hinges with minimal effort. Take the time to investigate high-risk doors, such as the back and front ones, and make sure that they are strong, and if they are not then you should consider replacing them as soon as possible.

Additionally, you should stake out your windows and see how secure they are. If they feel a bit loose or rickety, then you can reinforce windows by using window locks and window bars. If you have any broken windows then you ought to replace these as soon as you can. Avoid using cardboard and duct tape to secure windows as that will do next to nothing to keep your property safe.

5. Avoid Having Valuables Out in Plain Sight

Another way to protect your house from break-ins is to make sure that you do not leave valuables out in plain sight. When intruders are staking out areas, if they see that you have three laptops, a TV, and a Rolex sitting around in your living room then this is a surefire way to make your home a target. This does not mean that you have to hide everything you own, more that you need to be mindful of what is in sight, and if you do have more expensive valuables then make the effort to put these in safe and secure places. This makes a big difference and doesn’t cost a thing to do.

6. Use Motion Lighting

Motion lighting is a great way to increase the security of your home as it tends to spook potential intruders. If someone is considering breaking into your property but the light goes on as they move closer to your home they are more likely to run as they might think that someone is home. Additionally, lighting can help CCTV capture better quality footage which will help your case should a break-in occur.

While some of these methods require a bit of money, they are mostly affordable methods that have proven to be highly effective. So there you have it, 6 cost-effective ways to increase the security of your home and protect your house from potential break-ins.