7 Security Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
The security of your home is not something you should take for granted. You, like many homeowners, probably think, "It will never happen to me." However, all it takes is one break-in to change your life forever.
Roughly 2.5 million homes are broken into in the United States every year. As a homeowner, spouse, and parent, it's up to you to keep your home and family safe and secure.
Fortunately, you can prevent the majority of break-ins, thefts, and other serious events by implementing security measures for your home. We want to help. Keep reading for our top security tips covering everything from your driveway to door and window locks.
The security of your home is not something you should take for granted. You, like many homeowners, probably think, "It will never happen to me." However, all it takes is one break-in to change your life forever.
Roughly 2.5 million homes are broken into in the United States every year. As a homeowner, spouse, and parent, it's up to you to keep your home and family safe and secure.
Fortunately, you can prevent the majority of break-ins, thefts, and other serious events by implementing security measures for your home. We want to help. Keep reading for our top security tips covering everything from your driveway to door and window locks.
1. Invest in a Home Security System
Let's start by talking about alarm systems you can install in and around your home. These can be a saving grace in notifying both you and the local authorities of intruders.
Door and Window Alarms
First, we recommend putting alarms on all your doors and accessible windows. If one of these doors or windows is opened, it will trigger your alarm system (when the alarm is set).
This serves multiple, valuable purposes.
First, it will notify you immediately if a door or window is being opened when it shouldn't be. This will give you time to respond accordingly.
Second, an audible alarm is generally enough to deter someone from fully entering your home. When the alarm sounds, they're likely to turn tail and run away.
Finally, alarm systems are monitored by the alarm company that installed them. As soon as an alarm is triggered, they will contact you to verify the threat. If they can't get ahold of you, or you verify the threat, they will notify the local authorities.
Security Cameras
Security cameras are great additions to your home security system. We suggest putting a few outside your home to monitor the area. If there's any suspicious activity going on near your property, you'll have video evidence of it.
You'll also be able to see who comes onto your property and what they do. Just as importantly, if a security camera is visible, it will make most people think twice about doing anything illegal.
Security cameras can also be great if you have hired services on your property or in your home. For example, if something goes missing after the nanny or house cleaners came to your house, you can review the footage to determine what happened.
2. Install Motion-Activated Lights
Another one of the best home security tips is to install motion-activated lights on your property. You can place them near the entrance to your property and at each door. They will activate when someone steps within range of its motion sensors.
A sudden, bright light will draw attention to your property, which will deter most potential intruders. Most people who are up to no good prefer not to be seen or caught. A bright light is the antithesis of stealth.
3. Secure Your Driveway and Garage
To fully secure your home, you need to think outside the four walls of your house. For example, you also need to think about the security of your garage and driveway.
If someone was able to break into your garage, they could gain access to your vehicle, tools, and other valuable possessions. More importantly, they could pose a threat to your safety.
A driveway alarm is also a good idea. If someone is pulling up into your driveway in the late hours of the night, they probably have poor intentions. A solar-powered driveway alarm will notify you if a person or vehicle enters your property through your driveway, which will give you extra time to respond.
4. Limit Hiding Places On Your Property
Expert security tips also suggest limiting the number of potential hiding spaces near your home. The more places there are to hide on your property, the easier it will be for someone to stalk out your home and break in undetected.
Think about your landscaping carefully. For the best home security, it might be necessary to remove poorly placed shrubs and other natural places of cover.
5. Install a Fence Around Your Property
One of the best ways to keep unwanted guests from entering your property is with a tall perimeter fence. This fence can be chainlink, wood, vinyl, or iron. For the best home security, a fence that offers optimum privacy is ideal.
If a criminal can see through the fence, they can see when you are and are not home, when you go to bed, whether or not you have a dog, and more. A tall privacy fence with a locking gate will make it difficult for a thief to gain access and even more difficult for them to leave hauling a bag of your possessions. As such, it's one of the best methods of theft prevention.
6. Ensure All Doors and Windows Lock Properly
The most practical security tips advise homeowners to make it as difficult as possible for intruders to gain entry into the home. This means putting adequate locks on all doors and accessible windows. However, just because a window is on the second floor doesn't mean it shouldn't lock.
If your windows don't have locks, wedge a dowel rod or board between the window and the frame to prevent if from being opened. Additionally, all exterior doors should have deadbolt locks, as regular locks are easy to pick or push through.
7. Build a Safe Room in Your Home
Tragically, some home invasions can become confrontational and even violent. Whether someone is breaking in to steal from you or is there specifically to do harm, you need to plan ahead for your and your family's protection.
It may sound extreme, but a safe room can legitimately save your life. At the very least, you need a room with a reinforced door and strong locks. Within the room should be a phone, food, water, and self-defense tools.
Looking for More Security Tips?
This article isn't meant to scare you or increase your stress. Though there is a surprisingly high number of homes that are broken into every year, you may never experience an intruder. Regardless, it's better to be prepared and safe.
If you can prevent break-ins from ever happening, it's well worth the investment. Check out some of our other articles to learn more about home security tips. And before you go, take a look at our driveway alarm systems designed to maximize your home security.