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Connley Walker Security Consulting Blog: Home Invasion Prevention: Expert Tips to Secure Your Home in Australia

Home Invasion Prevention: Expert Tips to Secure Your Home in Australia

Home invasions are a growing concern in Australia, with many homeowners left feeling vulnerable. While general advice like locking your doors and installing cameras is helpful, these steps alone often fall short. To truly protect your home, you need to think like a security expert. In this blog, we delve into advanced strategies and overlooked methods that go beyond the basics, helping you prevent home invasions effectively.

 

1. Understand the Mindset of Intruders

To prevent a home invasion, it’s crucial to understand how criminals operate. Most intruders target homes that appear easy to access with minimal risk of being caught. They often scout neighbourhoods for weaknesses like poorly lit entrances, open windows, or outdated locks. Home invasion prevention starts with making your home less appealing to potential intruders by addressing these vulnerabilities.

 

2. Layer Your Security

Relying on one type of protection is a common mistake. Instead, implement a layered approach to security, which combines physical, technological, and behavioural measures:

  • Physical Barriers: Invest in heavy-duty doors and windows with reinforced frames. Consider adding a security screen door that meets Australian Standards AS5039-2008 for impact resistance. Use window locks with key access, and don’t overlook securing skylights.
  • Technological Measures: Install motion-detecting floodlights around all entry points. Combine this with a monitored alarm system that notifies you or a security company in real-time.
  • Behavioural Adjustments: Train family members to lock doors and windows even when they’re home. Always use your alarm system, even during the day.

 

3. Secure Secondary Entry Points

While most homeowners focus on front doors, secondary entry points are often left vulnerable. Intruders frequently exploit side doors, garage doors, and ground-floor windows. To counter this:

  • Reinforce garage doors with manual locks or install a smart garage door opener with a rolling code system that changes after each use.
  • Use security film on windows to make them shatter-resistant. A 3M Ultra Series film, for instance, can delay forced entry attempts.
  • Install locking pins or dowels in sliding doors to prevent them from being lifted off their tracks.

 

4. Use Landscaping as a Deterrent

Proper landscaping can serve as an effective and natural barrier against home invasions. For example:

  • Plant thorny bushes or dense shrubs like bougainvillea or hawthorn under ground-floor windows to make access difficult.
  • Keep trees trimmed to prevent intruders from using them to climb onto roofs or access upper-level windows.
  • Avoid tall hedges or fences near entrances, as they can provide cover for intruders.

 

5. Implement Entryway Control

A common oversight in home invasion prevention is failing to control who approaches your front door. To mitigate this:

  • Install a video doorbell that allows you to see and speak with visitors remotely.
  • Use intercom systems for larger properties to communicate with visitors without opening your door.
  • Place a sturdy peephole in solid-core front doors. Avoid opening the door to unexpected visitors, even if they appear trustworthy.

 

6. Create the Illusion of Occupancy

Many home invasions occur when a property appears vacant. To deter intruders, create the impression that someone is always home:

  • Use smart lighting systems to program lights to turn on and off at random intervals.
  • Play low-level audio, like a radio or TV, when you’re out of the house.
  • Park a second car in the driveway if you’ll be away for an extended period.

 

7. Invest in Advanced Locking Systems

Many homes still use outdated locks that can be picked or forced easily. Upgrade to modern, high-security options:

  • Use deadbolts with a minimum 25mm throw. Brands like Lockwood offer deadbolts certified to Australian Standards.
  • Opt for smart locks with keypad entry or biometric scanning to eliminate the risk of lost or duplicated keys.
  • Install hinge bolts on outward-opening doors to prevent them from being forced off their hinges.

 

8. Conduct Regular Security Audits

Periodic security audits help identify vulnerabilities that may develop over time. This could include changes in landscaping, wear on locks, or new blind spots in camera coverage. Conduct a self-audit every six months or hire a professional security consultant for a comprehensive assessment.

 

9. Secure Valuables and Documents

Even with strong perimeter security, you should minimise the potential loss from a successful intrusion:

  • Store valuables in a home safe bolted to the floor. Ensure the safe is fireproof and rated for burglary resistance (e.g., UL 687 standards).
  • Avoid leaving spare keys in obvious hiding spots like under mats or in garden ornaments. Instead, use a lockbox with a code.
  • Secure sensitive documents and digital data to prevent identity theft.

 

10. Build Relationships with Neighbours

A connected community is a safer community. Establish good relationships with neighbours and participate in local Neighbourhood Watch programs. Share information about suspicious activity and look out for one another’s properties.

 

Conclusion

Home invasion prevention is about more than just locking your doors; it requires a strategic, multi-layered approach that incorporates physical barriers, advanced technology, and smart behavioural practices. By implementing these expert strategies, you can significantly reduce your home’s vulnerability and create a safer environment for you and your family.

Remember, the key to effective home invasion prevention is to stay proactive, regularly update your security measures, and remain vigilant. Protecting your home isn’t just about peace of mind—it’s about safeguarding what matters most.

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