Not matter if you live in an upscale neighborhood or middle-class suburb, home security should be one of your top priorities. Every 10 seconds, a homeowner becomes victim to a home invasion. To ensure that you don’t become another statistic, there are several things you can do to improve your home security and live safely.
1. Improve your door security
It may seem obvious, but doors should be your first line of defense in home security. Verify your exterior doors are strong and solid (not hollow) and fix any worn out hinges. Your exterior doors should all have deadlocks made of hardened steel which can either have single or double cylinders. Entry door chains are also good security measures to implement. The most important aspect of door security is to always lock your doors whether you are at home or away, and never provide easy access to a spare key.
2. Install a home alarm system
One of the strongest ways to protect your home is to have a home alarm system installed. Home security systems can either be hardwired or wireless and can be installed by yourself, or installed and monitored by a professional security company. If you are having a new home built, hardwired security can be your best option, as install is much easier and quicker. However, if your home is older, you have a large property or want more flexibility, a wireless security system may best fit your needs. Not only can a home alarm system effectively protect your home, but it can also detect fire and smoke, carbon monoxide and flooding.
3. Improve your lighting
Although daytime home invasions have increased, burglars still like the nighttime because it gives them the ability to hide. To deter anyone from breaking in at night, have plenty of lighting at entrance doors. Motion detector flood lights are also a good way to shed light on your garden, driveway, garage or on any isolated areas where intruders may enter. If you are away from your home on business trips or vacation, use timers on indoor lighting to make it appear that you are home.
4. Improve your window security
Windows are one of the easiest ways for burglars to enter your home. To prevent easy access, be sure to replace old window frames and windows and verify that the glass cannot be easily removed. If you have a home alarm system installed, you can also get glass break detectors placed throughout your home. For added security, laminated glass can be installed which will only crack under hard pressure, making it more difficult for a burglar to enter your home. Most modern windows are equipped with locks which you should always remember to lock whether you are at home or away.
5. Get to know your neighbors
Your neighbors can be one of your greatest assets in protecting your home. If you are away for extended periods of time, have your neighbors watch your home for any suspicious activity. Ask them to pick up any delivered packages and newspapers and give them an emergency number in case they need to contact you. Also urge your homeowners association or local neighborhood to start a block watch to keep an eye out for criminal behavior and report it to the local authorities. Working with your neighbors can be one of the most inexpensive ways of ensuring that your home and family stay safe.
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Some great ideas on home security – our favourite addition for security for your exterior door is a digital door viewer – Its internal screen shows you live digital images of callers at your front door. It also keeps tabs in your absence by saving time-stamped images of people who visit when you’re out! All helping you to see more and stay secure.
Hi Nick, Thanks for sharing the door viewing idea. I like the idea of seeing who’s at the door or has been at the door. great addition to home security.
Some great tips regarding security there – just to add something further on the subject of door security – consider adding an electronic door viewer to your front door – it takes digital images of visitors, and that was you can view people that call at your house whilst your out, or check the credentials of people who knock at your door whilst you’re at home.