13. Keep Your Yard Looking Maintained and Active

A neglected exterior suggests an empty interior. If your lawn grows out of control in the summer, or snow piles up untouched on your driveway in the winter, burglars assume the property is vacant.

Keep up with basic maintenance. Mow the lawn regularly, sweep the front walkway, and shovel snow promptly. Beyond chores, leave subtle signs of life around the property when you are home. A pair of gardening gloves resting on the porch, a coiled hose, or a visibly moved trash can signals that someone is actively tending to the property.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” — Benjamin Franklin

Franklin’s timeless wisdom perfectly encapsulates home security. Taking a few extra seconds to lock a window or rearrange a room’s sightlines prevents the immense emotional and financial toll of a home invasion.