Burglars don’t discriminate. Whether you live in an urban or rural area, home break-ins are always a possibility. In fact, the rate of household burglary in rural areas is greater than in the suburbs.

The United States Census Bureau defines rural areas as “less dense, sparsely populated” areas. This includes farms and homes that are located further away from densely populated areas. To secure you and your property, we’ve developed a list of tips to secure your rural home.

1. Invest in Surveillance Cameras

One of the main perks of rural living is the peace and quiet. Homes in less populated territories are often situated on large lots of land. But, because the property is so big, it’s almost impossible to monitor all parts of it.

However, investing in a home surveillance system can increase visibility around your property. An outdoor camera system synced to your mobile devices can detect activity on your land and record it. It will also send you alerts with real-time video feeds, allowing you to keep an eye on different areas of your home. Consider a video surveillance system to monitor the following areas:

  • The front entrance to your property, including your driveway.
  • Above all entrances and exits to your home.
  • Around the property perimeter, near all corners.
  • Near garages, sheds and barns located on your property.

2. Place Motion-Activated Lights

Keeping watch over your entire property can be challenging depending on how much land you have—especially at night. Consider placing motion-activated lights that turn on every time they detect movement. Not only will this alert you, it will also act as a deterrent to intruders. Consider placing motion-activated lights:

  • Along the driveway of your home.
  • Around all barns, sheds and garages.
  • Near the back and front yards of your house.

Burglars use darkness for cover, so shining lights on these areas is an effective way of keeping thieves away from your property at night.

3. Add Locking Gates to Driveways

If your rural home doesn’t already have a gated driveway—it should.

Most people who see a locked gate when they pull into a driveway turn around. When you add a lock to the gate, you create another barrier between you and intruders.

Consider installing an access control system to ensure your gate is always locked. Access control systems allow you to control who is coming and going from your rural home and even create a log of when, who and how many times the gate or door is opened. Set unique codes to allow specific visitors or family members access.

You can even install access control systems on the entrances to your home, garages, barns and sheds to ensure valuables are secured.

4. Install Alarms in All Structures

If you own a rural home, you might have multiple structures on your property. It’s important to secure all areas of your home that store valuables.

An effective solution is installing alarms in every building. When a door or window is opened, an audible and visual alarm is activated. Next, an alert is sent to your mobile device, as well as to a 24/7 monitoring center, where operators dispatch authorities.

Rural home security is just as essential as suburban and urban home security. Contact your local vendor to ensure you’re taking the proper precautions to secure your home.

How do you secure your rural home? Share in the comments below.