You may not immediately think about it when you are designing and building your Tiny House, but unwanted visitors can be a problem even when your house is small. No, we’re not talking about your in-laws, but about burglars. You may think that there is less to steal in a small house and that the crooks would rather go to a residential area with large villa’s. But did you know that the most popular items among burglars are things like laptops, smartphones and a stash of cash? These can usually be found in every house, whether you live small or large. Fortunately, there are all kinds of measures and innovative technologies you can use to protect your Tiny House from unwanted intruders.
Make entering as difficult as possible
Thieves judge a house based on three things:
- light
- sound
- how long it takes to get in
It is therefore important to make entering as time-consuming as possible. Purchasing good hinges and locks is important and you can use thieves’ claws and safety hinges. In addition, you can already apply measures during the construction. For example, there are anti-burglary systems with burglar-resistant doors and windows, fitted with special glass. The longer it takes to get in, the greater the chance that thieves will move on to the next target and ignore your home.
Smart Locks and Security Systems
Technological developments in the field of burglary prevention are moving rapidly and one of the most notable is the use of smart locks and security systems. These systems use advanced encryption and biometric authentication to control access to the home. That may sound complicated, but in practice it means that you can remotely lock or unlock the door of your house with a smartphone. This can be useful, for example when you ask your neighbor to check if everything is okay. These systems can also send you a notification of suspicious activities.
Lighting
Good lighting around your Tiny House can discourage burglars. Install outdoor lights with motion sensors in strategic places so that they turn on automatically when motion is detected. This makes it more difficult for intruders to get closer without being noticed. It is more noticeable if the lights turn on when there is movement than if they are on all night. For nocturnal animals, it is also better not to leave the lights on all night.
Neighborhood community
Tiny House residents often have a good relationship with their neighbors. Take advantage of this sense of community by asking your neighbors to keep an eye on things when you’re away from home for longer than usual. You can even set up a neighborhood watch together. Neighbors can keep an eye on each other’s homes when someone is absent and report suspicious activities in a WhatsApp group.
Hide valuables
While it may seem obvious, it’s important to keep valuables out of sight. Store laptops, tablets, and other valuables in lockable cabinets or safes. Make sure that unwanted visitors who peek in are as little tempted as possible to break in.
Surveillance cameras with AI
Modern surveillance cameras can do so much more than just record images. AI allows them to spot suspicious activity and send instant alerts to the resident’s smartphone. Some systems can even tell the difference between a person, a pet or an object, reducing the chance of false alarms.
Although the concept of a Tiny House evokes a feeling of freedom and connection with nature in many people, safety is an important consideration. With the measures mentioned above you can protect your Tiny House and belongings against burglary, in a low-tech or high-tech way. By using smart technology, involving your local community and developing good habits such as tidying your home regularly and keeping things out of sight, you can enjoy freedom and peace of mind in your small comfortable home.
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