Property damage prevention should be a primary concern for homeowners and property managers. This is because it helps you stop trouble before it starts. Not only does it preserve your property’s value, but it also saves you stress and money. This is especially so for vacant or unoccupied properties.
Intentional acts of property damage range from malicious damage to burglary and vandalism. These violent acts can lead to thousands of dollars in loss if you do not implement certain strategies to combat them. If you want to protect your property from intentional damage, follow our guide and implement these seven strategies.
- Utilize Boarding Up Services
- Install Security Fencing
- Practice Strategic Landscaping
- Install Adequate Lighting
- Implement Smart Security Systems
- Switch to Reinforced Doors and Windows
- Form a Community Watch
- Utilize Boarding Up Services
Boarding up a property is the most effective form of property damage prevention. It effectively seals all access and entry points, such as doors and windows. A reputable board up company will use quality pieces of wood or steel to protect your home. This deters intruders and makes it difficult for them to access your property. Furthermore, a boarded-up property sends a message to unauthorized people that the property is important enough to be preserved.
- Install Security Fencing
Quality security fencing is a key aspect of property damage prevention. It provides controlled access to your home, ensuring only authorized people can enter. Unlike regular fences, security fencing is designed with security features such as barbed wires and sharp points. These security features deter vandals because they risk pain if they try to breach it. Therefore, your property is safer and less prone to intentional damage.
When choosing a security fence, you can consider palisade fencing, which has heavy-duty posts that can be bolted into place. You may also get a monitored electric fence. However, if your budget doesn’t accommodate these fences, you can ask a professional to upgrade your regular fencing. For instance, you can add barbed wire to your chain link fencing. The professional can also strengthen the bottom of the fence by adding a rail.
- Practice Strategic Landscaping
You should have a plan when landscaping your property, as it can be key to property damage prevention. It is best to plant shrubs closely and in groups so your landscape doesn’t look sparse. Doing so also creates a barrier that will make it more difficult for intruders to walk in. However, you should constantly trim your shrubs, bushes, and lawn. Any sign of overgrowth may attract unwanted visitors who may believe the property is vacant.
Consider planting a few thorny plants, especially close to your fencing and windows. These shrubs can be very effective at slowing down intruders. For example, you can plant pyracantha or rose bushes.
- Install Adequate Lighting
People are more likely to vandalize a home that is shrouded in darkness. It is key to have a working lighting system for your home’s exterior and perimeter. You can opt for solar-powered lights that charge during the day and keep your home well-lit at night. If possible, get some motion sensor lights as well. Motion sensor lights make it easy to detect when someone is attempting to enter your home. Additionally, they may scare intruders off when they suddenly turn on.
When choosing lighting, ensure the bulbs have a bright white light. While other colored lighting might be fun, they may not be very effective at deterring vandals. Your motion sensor lights should also have a wide detection range, preferably up to 180 degrees.
- Implement Smart Security Systems
Traditional security measures are great, but smart ones are better. They incorporate technological advancements that make your life easier and keep your home safe. For example, smart alarms can automatically contact law enforcement if they are not shut off after a specific period.
Additionally, you can opt for surveillance cameras that allow you to view footage remotely. These cameras may deter vandals because it means someone is actively watching them. Although cameras may not be the best property damage prevention strategy, they can help bring the intruders to book. The footage may be highly useful to the police.
- Switch to Reinforced Doors and Windows
Mass-made doors are cheaper, but a customized reinforced door can make a world of difference in securing your home. Reinforced doors are difficult to breach and often have hard-to-pick locks. This provides adequate protection, unlike hollow wooden doors which are easily broken with enough force.
You can reinforce your windows by installing extra window locks or latches to make them harder to compromise. Additionally, installing security laminates can
- Form a Community Watch
It sounds like a cliche, but there really is strength in numbers. An organized community watch can help deter vandals and intruders. This is because it fosters trust and a sense of belonging that urges people to report suspicious activity. You cannot always watch your property, but your neighbors can keep eyes on it when you are away. Intruders love isolated properties and communities. Therefore, if you have a local community watch, no matter how few the members, it can force vandals to think twice before damaging your property.
If your community doesn’t have a watch, you can form one. Establish a friendly relationship with your neighbors and bring up your idea. Once you’ve formed one, you can have regular meetings to discuss other ways to secure your properties and the general area better.
Conclusion
If you care about your property, you should prioritize property damage prevention. It saves you the financial strain of extensive repairs or replacement. Consider strategic landscaping and smart security systems when creating a property damage prevention strategy. Additionally, you should ensure that your home’s exterior and perimeter are well-lit to deter intruders.
Opt for reinforced doors and windows for added protection, and don’t forget the power of numbers by forming an active community watch. Your neighbors can be your eyes and ears when you are away.
Boarding up your home when you are away and having strong fencing are the best ways to protect your property. You can always trust On-Call Board Up to provide quality materials at lightning speed. Send us a message today to experience optimal services.
