6 Top Home Security Tips to Protect Your Home
- Prevent Potential Hiding Places
The most common time when burglars try to break into your home is during the night. Homeowner’s landscapes can provide an ideal hiding place for criminals to hide. Consider trimming your trees and shrubs that may give someone a place to hide, unnoticeable access to your windows, and that block a window. You also want to incorporate lighting your property, especially very dark places that allow a thief to access your home under the cover of darkness. Install lights in various places that light up every entrance of your home. Motion detection spotlights are the best option to conserve energy and keep a low profile to prevent annoying your neighbors or yourself with bright lighting.
- Don’t Let Burglars Know You Are Not Home
If you plan to go on vacation, you should never announce it beforehand and during your time away. Even though it’s exciting to share with friends and family the amazing place you visit, thieves also love to know about it. Sending a tweet or posting a status update that you arrived at the airport can alert criminals that your home is empty. Save all your vacation adventures and picture sharing for when you return. For extra preventions, have a trusted friend or neighbor stop by every day to pick up the mail, newspaper packages, and any fliers that may be left at the door. Mail that piles up on your doorstep is another clue for thieves to take notice and know you are on an extended leave. In other situations where you are gone during the night or returning from work after dark, you should have interior lights set to a timer. Having Smart lights will keep thieves guessing if your home or not and will let you feel safer when you come home.
- Install a Home Alarm System
What happens when a burglar gets inside your home? Alarms may not keep them from entering; however, it will deter some and bring the police to respond to your home quickly, limiting what a thief can take. You should install an alarm to protect your home while you are away from thieves who try to attempt to break into your home. Check with your insurance company because it may lower your home insurance premiums for having a home alarm system installed.
- Upgrade Windows
If you are purchasing new windows for your home, it might be worth upgrading to buy shatterproof glass. These windows would prevent anyone from breaking a window to gain access to your home. Another option if buying new windows is not in the budget is to consider adding a security film to your windows. The will prevent the glass from shattering upon breaking and deter burglars from continuing their attempt to break in.
- Always Double Check Locked Doors and Windows
Ever walked away from your home and questioned if you locked your door or not? It happens to everyone, but on those unfortunate occasions when you forget to lock the door, it allows burglars easy access into your home. Keep all windows locked when you are not home, when you go to bed, and when they are not in use. Install a window lock that only allows the window to open a few inches if you like to sleep with a window open. You should set reminders before you leave and arrive home to check if the door is locked. This healthy habit can ensure that your home is safely secured at all times. Keep your garage door down, even during the day before an open garage door invites burglars to take a look around inside. Even if they can’t take something at the time, they can look to see if your home is worth visiting later.
- Change Your Locks As Necessary
If you’ve purchased a home from someone recently, you need to meet the locksmith at your new home. Change the locks to your new home because you have no idea who has a copied key, just waiting for the moment to use it. If you’ve had a break-in recently, you should change the locks too. Having the locks changed gives you peace of mind and makes your new home feel safe.
Figuring out how to secure your home shouldn’t be a burden. Use these simple changes to keep your family, belonging, and home safe and secure. For additional protection, the best way to prevent burglars from entering your home is to have a professional install a residential security system. Integrity Security Inc. is committed to installing quality burglar alarms and security cameras to give you confidence in your home’s security. Contact us for more information and find out about your free estimate.