Burglars don't care if you rent or own your home. They don't care if you moved into your home recently or lived in it for years. The only thing that they care about is whether you have made it easy or hard for them to commit theft. To make it difficult for them, improve your home security via these five methods:

Invest in the Right Locks

Some locks like standard handle locks and padlocks fail to offer adequate protection. For doors, invest in deadbolts or wide security bolts. Also, consider investing in a key-less system that utilizes an encrypted passcode keypad lock. For windows, invest in double locks, key-based mechanisms and window stops that force thieves to break a window and risk an alarm to gain access.

Choose a SMART Security System

Some clever thieves make it past the first line of security. An alarm system, security cameras, and motion sensor lights provide added security on their own. Professionals, like those at Johns Brothers Security know that the best secondary line of defense is a SMART home security system that utilizes all of these tools plus a few others that make your home more secure. Many of these types of systems include breach alerts to your phone, and automatically alert the police and a monitoring firm if there is a problem. Many of them also include remote access to the cameras and other systems.

Set up Security Signs

Whether you choose to use a security system or not, outdoor security signs on doors, windows, and lawns make thieves reconsider their plans. The mere presence of these signs warns them that you have secured your property and that they risk setting off alarms. Sometimes these signs discourage thieves more than locks.

Talk to Neighbors

Seek out your neighbors as a security resource. They might know if anyone in the neighborhood has been accused or suspected of theft and tell you of strangers lurking around your home. Additionally, a neighbor you trust might pick up your mail and check for breaches when you need to go out of town.

Educate Your Family

Teach your loved ones to lock access points and set alarms even if they only plan to leave your home for a few minutes. Also, teach them to watch for red flags, such as strange footprints near windows, the sudden appearance of litter, new neighbors overly interested in your family's schedule and personal drones that hover around a lot.

These methods don't always stop a highly experienced thief. Instead, they give you peace of mind that comes from knowing that you've done everything possible to secure your home. Written by Rachelle Wilber