Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, crimes against persons accounted for just 25.2% of the total.
This meant – and likely still does – your home stood a higher chance for burglary than you did for assault.
Accordingly, Is It Easy to Break into A Mobile Home?
Most definitely. That’s because mobile homes come with basic burglar-proofing. A committed burglar wouldn’t break much sweat through the factory-installed windows/doors unless you reinforce them further.
Upgrading For More Safety
You can’t rely on the basic burglar-proofing that came with your home.
For instance, most mobile homes are built on the same model.
Burglars are fully aware of this and may take advantage of it to break inside.
Your windows are probably not as strong as you think. The floor could be pried open from below.
Internet of Thieves
Another threat is the so-called “Internet of things” or IoT, basically an array of interconnected computing devices capable of sharing data among themselves via the internet.
Some of these devices, like smart locks and surveillance cameras, play a role in home security.
They can be hacked remotely to give access to people with malicious intentions.
Seek the service of a home security expert for the latest hack-proofing measures.
How Do You Add An Extra Layer Of Proof To Your Home?
It’s hard to burglarproof your home 100%, but you can make it extra hard to break in.
Here’s how to go about it:
1. Add A Layer of Security On Your Doors
Doors are the most critical parts of any home when it comes to security.
You can add an extra layer of protection by installing an extra lock and/or security plate.
The second lock ensures the burglar spends more time getting into the home thus increasing the likelihood of getting discovered.
The security place plate, on another hand, makes it difficult to pry the main door open from the outside.
Smart Locks
Add a smart lock if you can.
What I like about smart locks most is that they are often equipped with sensors and sometimes a tiny camera to alert you when a stranger approaches the door.
2. Install Metallic Windows and Security Film
Windows are the second most critical part of any home after doors.
Add a security film, additional window lock, and/or metallic windows.
Burglars normally don’t have a lot of time to work through the window, so strong metal bars and screens can be a great barrier.
Window locks aren’t very necessary unless your area is prone to break-ins.
3. Install A Remote Surveillance System
Modern security cameras are the epitome of convenience.
Most of them will stream live footage of your home to your handheld device anywhere on the planet.
You can also set them up in such a way that they can detect movements with their sensors and alert you wherever you are.
Hassle-free Protection
Replacing your exterior light fixtures can be a hassle at times.
Locating an outlet on the pouch for your lights isn’t the easiest thing to do either.
Wireless security cameras solve all those problems by being cordless.
As such, you are free to hide them anywhere, link them with your phone via Wi-Fi or the internet, and monitor the events occurring outdoors from a distance.
The 4 must-have features for a home surveillance system are:
- Night mode to help you spot burglars at night
- Longer battery life to keep the system running the entire time you are away
- Up-to-standard weather resistance so that you can keep getting the live feed and alerts even in the most unforgiving weather condition
- Live feed and sensor alerts. This is important – ensure that the camera can detect movements and relay a live feed at the same time.
The cameras should be installed at an unreachable spot so would-be burglars don’t remove them.
Alternatively, you can conceal them under a thicket and other fixtures or accompany them with dummies to confuse the intruder.
4. Think Motion-Sensing Lighting Fixtures
Floodlights help keep burglars and similar malicious marauders at bay, but it would be great if they had motion sensors.
These lights only light up when they detect movements.
Even the most hardcore burglars would panic if suddenly flooded with blinding light.
6. Timed Lights and Electronics
An intruder would shy away if they saw activity in your home.
If they see light in the family room or hear music, they are likely to conclude you’re there.
Fortunately, you can make your home appear like it’s occupied when it isn’t.
One of the commonly employed tricks is to leave a timed device that would mislead the passerby to think you’re present, such as this fake TV.
Privacy Window Film
Don’t forget to install a privacy window film if you are going to add the above fake TV.
While it’s designed to produce convincing TV light to ward off the intruder, the person may peek through the window to investigate further.
A window film makes it hard to see the interior more clearly.
7. Be Nice and Socialize with Neighbors
Being close to your neighbors and socializing often does help keep your home safe.
If you are always nice to them, they will certainly watch over your property when you are away.
Some neighborhoods have vigilante squads – sign up with them.
8. Insure Your Property
If you find it bothersome to surveil your home from a distance or don’t want to burglarproof it, you may as well take the insurance route.
Insurance cover provides the peace of mind you deserve when out for a vacation and don’t have to worry about losing your property.
Mobile Home Insurance
As it’s usual, the insurance company lets you cover your home against the peril of break-in and destruction or theft of property.
Some policies go a step further to cover against injuries sustained by third parties in your home.
How Much And From Who?
Premiums may add up to anything in the region of $1,000 per annum.
Some of the best mobile home insurers out there are:
9. Limit The Size And Amount Of Shrubs Around The Home
Plants near the home can be a must-have for some homeowners, but they may provide cover for intruders.
It’s perfectly OK to have a few shrubs around the home but they should be kept trimmed and well-spaced.
Conclusion
To summarize everything, a mobile home comes with basic burglar-proofing that you can’t rely on.
You need to reinforce it to the standards of your choosing.