These days people have their homes looking like Fort Knox. When you drive around a neighborhood you can always spot the home with security features. It has the big iron gates, security cameras, and even the sign proudly stuck in the front yard showing their security company. What many people don't realize is that their landscaping (which they have to put in anyways) can be one of the greatest security features of their home. I am pretty sure most HOA boards and your neighbors for that matter, don't want to see you putting up an electric barbed fence. Although it would probably deter an intruder it doesn't have much curb appeal. There are a few alterations that you can make to your landscape design to make your home feel more safe.
After reading over a few studies of "types" of robbers I have found that most burglaries are teenagers that find a target within a mile of their home. They are definitely not professionals and look for an easy target. Seems simple right? Make your home "not" the easy target. Well this in fact can cost thousands of dollars and even sometimes a monthly fee. With these simple modifications I have come up with you can deter a robber without much cost.
As a rule of thumb most people know that keeping your trees and shrubs trimmed back away from doors and windows can prevent an intruder from hiding in the bushes. What you don't think about is that you should also keep your shrubs trimmed about a foot from the ground. That way you can see if someone (even an animal) is hiding in the tall bush. I would also suggested pruning your trees and bushes at least once a year, this way they stay far away from the ground and still maintain a clean appearance.
When an intruder is looking for an easy target, they want something they can get in and out of quickly without making much noise or causing a scene. Since you don't want your home to be "the target" you can plant uncomfortable trees and shrubs below windows and around property lines. Make sure and plant something with thorns, spines, or that will simply inflict pain when touched. Here in Arizona you have many to chose from especially since we live in the desert. Some examples are cactus, yuccas, bougainvilleas, citrus trees, berries, and of course rose bushes. Make sure the shrub is planted to cover the whole area and is close enough to the house someone couldn't hide behind it. Although most people want to go crazy and plant rose bushes under every window, be sure to leave at least one window free from shrubs in the event there is an emergency you can escape. Just make sure you leave that window locked.
Landscape Lighting is also a great option for safety. I am not talking about the huge floodlights that glare in your neighbors window at night. Believe me I have been victim of the large bright lights shinning in my window all night and am not a fan. Instead you can use low wattage landscape lights to illuminate your trees and shrubs and give a little glow to your backyard. Since the lights are low wattage they cost pennies to operate. Although you have to pay a little bit more for a landscape professional to install them you will not only have a nice looking backyard, but a light backyard that you can see in. All burglars want it dark so they can hide and be sneaky.
Another option that is if you have a circular drive in your front yard be sure not to park your vehicle in front of your front door. This leaves the opportunity for a home invasion. It seems easy to park as close the door as possible, but it can be very unsafe. It leaves you as a target, even if you are not home. The burglar can break into your home through the front door without it being seen from the street.
Instead of leaving dirt on the edges of your lawn or in your side yards try putting down the crunchy gravel. It will not only help with the curb appeal, but if anyone decided to walk on it you will hear them. It also helps keep the weeds and grass under control .
Using these simple tips I know that it will not only make your landscape look good, but give you a sense of safety in your own home. Also many neighborhoods are now starting Neighborhood Watch programs to keep an eye on each others house. Try joining these programs or even creating one in your neighborhood if it is not available to you. A few eyes watching your home is better than just yours.
After reading over a few studies of "types" of robbers I have found that most burglaries are teenagers that find a target within a mile of their home. They are definitely not professionals and look for an easy target. Seems simple right? Make your home "not" the easy target. Well this in fact can cost thousands of dollars and even sometimes a monthly fee. With these simple modifications I have come up with you can deter a robber without much cost.
As a rule of thumb most people know that keeping your trees and shrubs trimmed back away from doors and windows can prevent an intruder from hiding in the bushes. What you don't think about is that you should also keep your shrubs trimmed about a foot from the ground. That way you can see if someone (even an animal) is hiding in the tall bush. I would also suggested pruning your trees and bushes at least once a year, this way they stay far away from the ground and still maintain a clean appearance.
When an intruder is looking for an easy target, they want something they can get in and out of quickly without making much noise or causing a scene. Since you don't want your home to be "the target" you can plant uncomfortable trees and shrubs below windows and around property lines. Make sure and plant something with thorns, spines, or that will simply inflict pain when touched. Here in Arizona you have many to chose from especially since we live in the desert. Some examples are cactus, yuccas, bougainvilleas, citrus trees, berries, and of course rose bushes. Make sure the shrub is planted to cover the whole area and is close enough to the house someone couldn't hide behind it. Although most people want to go crazy and plant rose bushes under every window, be sure to leave at least one window free from shrubs in the event there is an emergency you can escape. Just make sure you leave that window locked.
Landscape Lighting is also a great option for safety. I am not talking about the huge floodlights that glare in your neighbors window at night. Believe me I have been victim of the large bright lights shinning in my window all night and am not a fan. Instead you can use low wattage landscape lights to illuminate your trees and shrubs and give a little glow to your backyard. Since the lights are low wattage they cost pennies to operate. Although you have to pay a little bit more for a landscape professional to install them you will not only have a nice looking backyard, but a light backyard that you can see in. All burglars want it dark so they can hide and be sneaky.
Another option that is if you have a circular drive in your front yard be sure not to park your vehicle in front of your front door. This leaves the opportunity for a home invasion. It seems easy to park as close the door as possible, but it can be very unsafe. It leaves you as a target, even if you are not home. The burglar can break into your home through the front door without it being seen from the street.
Instead of leaving dirt on the edges of your lawn or in your side yards try putting down the crunchy gravel. It will not only help with the curb appeal, but if anyone decided to walk on it you will hear them. It also helps keep the weeds and grass under control .
Using these simple tips I know that it will not only make your landscape look good, but give you a sense of safety in your own home. Also many neighborhoods are now starting Neighborhood Watch programs to keep an eye on each others house. Try joining these programs or even creating one in your neighborhood if it is not available to you. A few eyes watching your home is better than just yours.
