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7 easy DIY home security jobs to do on the weekend
1. Get rid of the hidden house key
Most people have a spare key hidden somewhere outside their home. Burglars know all the hiding spots, even the not-so-common ones. So take your spare and give it to a neighbour, friend or family member you trust.
2. Light up your entry
Test exterior lights at night to check that they’re working and provide enough illumination. Consider installing flood or motion sensor lights around entries and in any dark spots.
3. Trim shrubs to cut down hiding spots
Trim any shrubs and trees that are in front of windows, gates and entries so that crooks don’t have a place to hide. Aim to have a clear line of sight to the street.
4. Grow plants that burglars hate
Plant thorny or prickly shrubs and plants such as cacti, native blackthorn, native raspberry or Mount Blackwood holly under windows to make your home even less appealing to burglars.
5. Stop sliding doors in their tracks
Install dowel into the track of a sliding glass door or window to stop it from being forced open. Choose dowel that is thinner than the track and cut it to be around 1cm shorter, so that it fits snugly.
6. Check your locks are working effectively
Do a stock-take of your door and window locks. Fix or replace any broken locks and upgrade any weak ones with stronger keyed locks or deadbolts.
6. Make it harder for crooks to see in
Install one-way blinds on your windows to let natural light in but keep prying eyes out.