Your home is more than a building—it’s your family’s safe space. You can take preventative measures to help keep your loved ones protected against break-ins and even medical emergencies.
For example, smart devices can turn on and off to mimic human activity and deter burglars. You can also landscape with safety in mind, including planting thorny plants or shrubs on the perimeter of your property.
1. Lock Your Doors and Windows
Home security is a major concern for most families. One of the first things many people do when they decide to buy or build a new home is research the community’s safety rates and crime statistics. However, homeowners should think about their home’s security even more and take steps to make sure that their family is safe at all times. This includes ensuring that all doors and windows are securely locked. Calgary Screw Pile Pros is a good option if you want a long-lasting screw pile for your home.
Many burglars enter homes through unlocked doors and windows. It’s easy to make a home less appealing to criminals by beefing up door and window security. This includes installing peepholes and choosing a sturdy deadbolt. It’s also important to install interior locks that can’t be reached through an open window and to ensure that all exterior doors fit their frames tightly. Additionally, all windows should be reinforced with shatter-resistant glass or laminated windows.
Homeowners should also consider adding smart locks that track who is entering the home and allow for limited digital access to guests, service workers and kids’ friends. These locks can help prevent break-ins and can be synced to a home security system or smart ecosystem for additional protection. This is especially important for homes with a glass or garage door that can easily be broken by a determined intruder.
2. Install a Security System
As a new homeowner, it’s important to make sure your family feels safe in the home you have purchased. A security system is a great way to do that! A security system can provide real-time protection by detecting and alerting you of any unauthorized entry attempts. It can also notify your local police department and other emergency services to ensure faster response times in the event of a break-in.
A typical security system consists of door and window sensors, motion detectors and an alarm that can sound a loud siren when someone tries to enter your home. These devices are linked together by a control panel to create a complete network of protection for your house. Depending on your needs, you can choose from a variety of home security packages that range in price and functionality.
Many people worry about burglars breaking into their homes while they are away for work or running errands, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You can install a doorbell camera that enables you to see and talk to people who come up to your front or back doors. You can also install motion sensors in key areas of your home, such as near expensive art or valuable collectibles.
3. Install a Camera System
Why risk exposing your valuables to burglars when you can keep an eye on them with a security camera system? Some studies indicate that visible cameras can actually deter criminal activity.
A basic home security camera package includes 2-3 outdoor wired cameras, a DVR that records for 3 days or more, and 1-3 indoor wireless cameras. If you have a big house or want to monitor multiple rooms, consider upgrading to an IP (internet protocol) camera that connects to your Wi-Fi and allows you to access its live feed through a smartphone app or website. These are more flexible and can also integrate with smart home hubs like Alexa.
Make sure you place cameras where they can be seen, especially outside your front door and other vulnerable areas of your property. Roughly 34% of burglars enter homes through the front door, so pointing cameras at these areas can help you protect what’s inside your house.
When installing these systems, be sure to follow manufacturers’ instructions carefully. It’s also a good idea to have them professionally installed by a security company. These companies specialize in securing homes, so they can provide advice on the best placement of cameras and recommend additional home safety measures like motion sensors.
4. Install a Garage Door
Many homeowners forget about securing sheds and garages, but these easy-to-access areas are prime targets for burglars. Leaving a garage door open is a surefire way for fast-moving criminals to enter your home without waking you up or raising suspicion. Installing a sturdy, lockable garage door is one of the best investments you can make to protect your family and your belongings. Also, be sure to secure tripping hazards such as rugs and cords, so that your children or pets don’t get injured.
5. Install a Fence
Home security is an important issue for most families. Whether it is to protect against burglars or intruders, a fence provides an excellent deterrent and is an effective means of keeping your family safe and secure. However, a fence alone is not a sufficient method for protection and it is important to add other methods of home security in conjunction with your fencing system.
In addition to protecting your home from intruders, a fence can also provide privacy and improve the overall aesthetics of your yard. This can be especially helpful for families living in urban areas where they may be exposed to loud street noises and other distractions. Additionally, a fence can help keep children and pets safer by preventing them from wandering off on their own without supervision.
A fence is an inexpensive and effective way to enhance the safety of your family, particularly if you live in an area with high crime rates. It can give you peace of mind knowing that your home is well-protected and will not be easily broken into. To take the level of safety in your backyard even further, you can consider installing a gate complete with a lock to prevent unwanted visitors from entering.
6. Install Alarms
One of the main things that makes a house into a home is feeling safe and protected there. This goes for both family members as well as guests and visitors.
One thing that can help is installing alarms. These can be simple wireless alarms that activate when doors or windows open or they can be professionally installed and monitored systems. Either way, they send burglars running because of the noise and the fact that they are triggered by movement.
Another way to deter burglars is to make your house look like it is always occupied. This can be done by using timers to turn on the lights, TV or radio on and off to give the illusion that someone is home even when you are out of town. You can also use lighting to light up your yard and entry points and keep greenery trimmed so that burglars cannot hide behind it.
Finally, it is a good idea to have some kind of weapon. This can be a firearm or something simpler like pepper spray. The key is to train yourself and your family how to use it in case of an emergency so that you don’t end up making the situation worse.
7. Install a Security Lighting System
Security lights can help deter burglars and other intruders by illuminating dark areas that would otherwise be difficult to see. Properly placed lighting will also keep walkways safe for your family and guests by eliminating shadows that could lead to dangerous tripping or falls.
Security lighting can be installed in a variety of ways to meet your specific needs and home environment. For example, some systems use motion sensor technology that turns on the lights when movement is detected. This type of lighting can be very effective and energy efficient, as it only turns on when needed.
Other options include dusk-to-dawn lights, which stay on all night and then turn off at dawn. Some lights are manually operated, meaning you can turn them on and off as needed, while others are controlled via a timer, which makes it possible to set your lights to come on at a certain time each day, giving your home the appearance of being occupied even when you’re away.
In addition to security lighting, consider incorporating other elements that can make your home less appealing to potential intruders, such as tall fences and bushes that block the view of items inside your home from onlookers. You should also keep your lawn mowed and the mail and newspapers stopped when you’re going to be gone for long periods of time, as this will help prevent your home from being considered an easy target for break-ins.