https://admin.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/home-insuranceThe weather is beautiful and you're ready to get creative and do some landscaping in your yard. Landscaping is good for curb appeal and building the equity of your home, but when thought out, it can also be used as a burglar deterrent. Here are a few ideas that you can implement to keep your home and family safe while still beautifying your yard. 
- Trim all bushes and hedges lower than three feet tall. Anything higher gives intruders a great place to hide.
- Use gravel instead of mulch in beds near the house. You can find decorative colors of gravel that will look nice and help your gardens retain moisture just like mulch. It is impossible to walk through gravel without making quite a bit of noise, no matter how lightly you step, and it's probably enough noise to make a burglar find a quieter target.
- Install motion sensor lights. These lights are not only convenient for you when you arrive home after dark, but they help deter criminals who try to lurk around your house. They don't want to be seen, and when lights turn on suddenly, they are likely to run to a darker house.
- Plant thorny or prickly plants under the first floor windows. Rose bushes, bird's nest spruces, Spanish bayonet, prickly pear cacti or a needle bush are perfect choices for discouraging someone from trying to climb into your windows. Visit a local garden center to find the best plant for your climate.
As you spruce up your yard, consider adding some of these features, which will hopefully discourage intruders. Many people don't consider landscaping when they think of home security, but it's another level of protection that is easy to implement.
If home security is a concern for you, contact your independent insurance agent to ensure that you have adequate coverage in your homeowners insurance policy.
Is your home safe? Call American Ins & Inv Corp at (800) 350-7676 for more information on home insurance.