A home is the biggest investment they will ever make to many Americans. A home provides security and comfort to its inhabitants, but homes also appeal to criminals because of their value and ease of entry. To secure your new home and protect your biggest investment, here are seven simple ways you can do just that:
1. Check the Locks
Inspect all doors and windows for signs of tampering or damage. Broken or damaged locks not only give criminals a way into your home, but they also provide a weak point that will make it easier for break-ins to occur.
Make sure you have working deadbolts on every exterior door and window, and if any lock appears flimsy, replace it immediately. You can also choose from a wide range of residential locks offered by Banner Solutions to provide increased security for your home.
2. Keep Lighting Well Lit at Night
Make sure there is adequate lighting to navigate dark areas and alleys around your house late at night and early in the morning. Criminals prefer darkness because it gives them an advantage over homeowners who are unaware of their presence.
Installing motion lights can help notify you if someone has managed to get through your locks, and floodlights can help criminals feel exposed, which might discourage them from attempting to break in.
3. Invest in Security Shutters
Security shutters are an excellent way to create a barrier between you and crooks who want to do you harm. These shutters not only keep potential intruders out but also protect your belongings by preventing burglars or thieves from smashing windows or breaking into homes through doors that might be left unlocked.
Not all security shutters are made equal — some types of shutter construction offer better insulation than others — so if you’re serious about purchasing window protection for your home, make sure the type of shutter is appropriate for where it will be installed (i.e., interior or exterior). Some shutters are better suited to provide security instead of insulation and vice versa. Speak with a reliable shutter company about which shutters will work best for your needs.
4. Install Security Alarms on All Exterior Doors
Not only should you have an alarm system installed that can alert you if someone is breaking into or entering your home, but it’s also important to secure the perimeter as well as the house itself. In other words, don’t just have a system installed on doors leading inside from outside — instead, install alarms on all exterior doors, so every entrance is protected.
The extra money spent now could save you a great deal in insurance deductible fees later should your home suffer a break-in because your security alarms failed to go off.
5. Get to Know Your Neighbors
Having a good relationship with your neighbors will give you the opportunity to quickly exchange information if one of them notices something suspicious occurring near or around your home.
If you genuinely care about and respect your neighbors, they will be more than willing to help keep an eye on your house for you while you’re away, alerting you if anything seems out of the ordinary.
6. Never Keep Valuables in Plain Sight
Don’t advertise that there are expensive items inside your home by leaving them out in plain sight. Even if thieves haven’t done their research beforehand, it’s unlikely they’ll ignore lots of free money sitting right in front of their eyes without thinking twice about it.
A good rule of thumb is to keep all items of value out of sight unless you are actually using them. Although this might sound inconvenient, it could be the difference between losing your stuff to crooks or keeping it in your possession.
7. Close & Lock Your Garage Door
Make sure that when you’re parking inside your garage late at night, you close and lock both doors before exiting the vehicle. It’s easy to get too comfortable inside your own garage — after all, no one can hurt us there, right? — but criminals know this and will attempt to break into garages if they think they can steal what’s inside by doing so.
If you exit the car with the garage door still open, someone with bad intentions could easily slide in behind you. To prevent this, make sure all doors are locked before opening the final one that leads into your home.
Securing your home is of utmost importance, as it’s not only a place where you and your family should feel safe and comfortable but also an investment. By following the tips we’ve outlined in this article, you can make sure that your home is as secure as possible against potential intruders. We hope that you find these suggestions helpful and that they give you peace of mind knowing that your family and belongings are safe from harm.
