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Every homeowner, old and new, prides their house for the safety and protection that it gives them. You keep your most valuable possessions and loved ones protected in your home. As such, every homeowner must be concerned with the level of security within and around their premises.
Break-ins and burglary cases are on the rise around the United States, and that number only tends to increase. The protection of your home would also symbolize protection for your loved ones and valuables. With all of the choices, variants, and considerations, you may find it a bit hard to choose.
Read through this article and understand what makes up a good home security. Use our best home security tips to protect your family and valuables.
Key Takeaways:
- A home security system is a combination of proactive measures and useful hardware that will protect your home from burglaries.
- Home security systems can include simple door locks and joining a neighborhood watch patrol.
- Use Keypad Locksmith services to optimize your security system and get the best hardware for your home protection.
How Important is Home Security?
Safety deposit. Keeping the safety of your home means keeping your property, personal belongings, and life safe from intrusion. About one million burglaries take place in the U.S. every year. These cases commonly occur in homes without security systems.
A security system installed would provide homeowners with a huge sense of security. You would not have to worry if you have to leave the house or if you are alone at home.
Plus, houses with burglar alarm systems also deter housebreakers from selecting such houses for breaking. Home security investment is generally a proactive step toward safeguarding your property, loved ones, and peace of mind.
10 Best Home Security Tips and Safety Measures for Homeowners
Home security ranges from a simple installation of locks to more elaborate smart lock systems. The greater the sophistication in home security, the smaller your opportunities are to get burgled.
Here are 10 must-have home security tips that you must undertake to ensure that firm and tight foundation:
1. Install Locks on the Windows
Windows is a common access point in any infrastructure, let alone a home. Your window and door supplier should be able to recommend a set of high-security locks that work with the style of fixtures installed in your new house.
Especially if you have bay-type windows, intruders are more likely to target you. Invest in a sturdy lock system for your windows.
There are also many after-market window lock options to help you lock up. You should also consider adding security window screens and electronic or smart locks that can alert you with an audible alarm or through a wireless smart home security system when windows are opened.
2. Upgrade Locks on Doors
Securing your doors is the first level of security every homeowner should do. Depending on the type of doors, invest in sturdy deadbolt locks and consider reinforcing them with additional hardware.
Every type of door has a compatible lock to go with it. More advanced locks have safety features that can add a layer of protection.
Factory locks on sliders are notoriously weak and flimsy. Plus, these doors can be dismantled from the outside.
To help prevent break-ins, we recommend installing a two-bolt locking system on sliding glass doors or reinforcing the lock with an auxiliary lock and jimmy plate. Consider adding anti-lift devices that secure the sliding door to the fixed part of the door.
This makes it so that the door cannot be lifted out because the sliding door is secured in two separate places.
3. Secure the Garage
Garage doors are a major entry point in many homes. Because homeowners often overlook them, garages are more vulnerable to theft and often allow burglars to access other parts of the house. Local police advise residents not to leave remote garage door operators in their cars parked outside the house.
It’s best to put extra deadbolts on the overhead and garage doors or consider one of the smart garage door locks now available on the market. It would also help to install security cameras in the garage.
4. Use a Burglary and Fire-Rated Safe
Safes can be real lifesavers. All homeowners should plan to keep original copies of important documents, such as insurance policies, financial accounts, legal documents, passports, birth certificates, and others.
Security cards in a safe that certifies protection in case of a burglary or fire. This can also be a safe deposit for family heirlooms, jewelry, and other valuable items. Install your safe in an extremely secure location for maximum protection against unauthorized access.
Currently, there are different types of safes you may choose from. You can choose a frame according to your budget and needs, as well as fit your security system. Consider using electronic safe locks if you want a high-end and comprehensively secure safe.
5. Utilize Lighting
Don’t give home invaders the dark cover they want while working to gain access. Installing lights around the property will help create an environment that deters burglars.
You can provide an adequately lit area to be able to observe suspicious activities easily, especially where your house is more vulnerable. This can be near windows and doors.
In the night, floodlights can also be used to illuminate the back and sides of the house. When paired with motion-activated sensors, these can be an unwanted surprise for potential intruders and decrease energy consumption for powering exterior lights.
6. Keep the Landscaping Trimmed
It also keeps away burglars to have a clean yard and clearing of bushes or hedges surrounding a house. Pruning trees and cutting the landscaping along doors and windows will help eliminate areas where burglars will wait for the best moment to break into a house.
7. Join the Neighborhood Watch Program
Many residential areas have neighborhood watch groups. The goal is to work together as a local community to increase safety. By alerting neighbors of threats in the area and reporting suspicious activity to the police, these types of efforts can effectively decrease crime.
They also help build stronger relationships among neighbors and a stronger sense of community.
8. Get an Alarm System
Having an alarm system significantly boosts your home security. Have your home equipped with alarm systems and home security surveillance. It will deter criminal activity, help prevent burglaries, and ensure that the authorities respond quickly in case of a security threat.
Innovative voice-automated smart home systems can be integrated with security devices. For example, Alexa Guard and Google Nest have security sensors that detect motion, open doors and windows, and even the sound of breaking glass. Commercial door alarms are also becoming more popular.
9. Add a Smart Doorbell Camera
Video doorbells and other smart security upgrades for the home can be integrated into virtual smart systems. They offer extra security in terms of screening visitors, discouraging potential thieves, and recording activity near the home.
Video recordings can help recover stolen items, prosecute a crime, or recuperate expenses through insurance after a burglary.
10. Be Mindful of What You Expose on Social Media
Burglars are getting really smart nowadays. So, do not upload your house security vulnerabilities on social media as an entry point for burglars.
In addition to posting your home’s structure, avoid posting about your travel plans or extended absences. Such information can alert burglars that your house is more vulnerable while you are away.
Call us at (240) 205-9039
Top Reasons Why You Need a Home Security System
One can never be sure about the safety of any neighborhood in today’s time. As a homeowner, you want to protect your family and valuables from ill-intentioned individuals.
A comprehensive security system provides several benefits for every homeowner. We listed the top benefits of establishing your home security system:
To Protect Your Valuables and Safety
It is obvious that your home is the place where you store everything dear. And let alone, there live those you love, and you wouldn’t want something evil to strike them on the head.
Thus, equipping your house with a security system will help you to increase protection levels for your safety and what is of value.
To Prevent Break-ins or Crimes
Home is usually vulnerable when it does not have a security system. The existence of a security system serves as some kind of warning or sign to burglars or intruders. In the event a house still gets broken into, a security system will enable you to identify the burglar or provide clues on what they do.
For Peace of Mind
A safe home makes you and your family stay worry-free because it minimizes the risk of some form of physical harm to you, family members, and pets. You can casually leave your home for vacation without anxiety that something bad will happen if you have a security system installed.
To Preserve Insurance Benefits
Installing a home security system may help you qualify for discounted rates on your homeowner’s insurance. This, therefore means you will save time in the long run.
To Detect Emergencies
Some security systems can go beyond just deterring burglars. There are systems that can help detect unwanted scenarios, such as a small fire or an accident among your family members while you are away.
Having a security system can help you address situations and prevent them from becoming more serious.
Where Are the Most Common Entry Points for Burglars?
Every house has a vulnerable point. Burglars who take their time to assess your living space can easily detect this. But having a security system can help you secure all spots in your home.
The question is, where are the most common entry points that every burglar would most likely target?
Here are the most common entry points chosen by burglars ranked according to probability according to ADT:
- Front door 34%
- First-floor windows 23%
- Back door 22%
- Garage door 9%
- Unlocked areas or storage 6%
- Basement 4%
- Second-floor window 2%
Knowing and securing these areas is your first step to safeguarding your home. These areas require the most attention and can be the focal point of your security system.
Keypad Locksmith can evaluate, prescribe, and install the most fitting security systems for residential homes. Our experts are well-versed in dealing with different settings for residential homes.
What Factors Attract Burglars the Most?
The main point is that burglars are likelier to break into a vulnerable house with no security system. In addition, some other factors can make your house seem like a great target or weaken your security.
Consider the following factors that attract burglars when fortifying your security measures:
- Unlocked doors and windows
- Poorly lit areas
- Visible valuables
- Overgrown vegetation
- Lack of surveillance cameras
- Easy access to the backyard
- Unoccupied vehicles
- Neighborhood reputation
- Overexposure of properties on social media
- Predictable patterns
Addressing these factors through proactive security measures and community vigilance can help reduce the likelihood of your property becoming a target for burglary. Incorporate the mentioned factors into strategizing for your home security.
How Do You Protect Your New Home Without a Security System?
Not all homeowners can afford the top-of-the-line security system. Despite this, there are several practices that you can do to protect your home and belongings from burglars.
Protecting your home without advanced security requires proactive measures, vigilance, and crafty practices.
If you do not have a security system in place, practice the following house security ideas to keep your house and family safe:
- Always secure doors and windows.
- Invest in good quality door and window locks.
- Maintain good lighting in vulnerable areas.
- Maintain landscaping and prevent shrubs from overgrowing.
- Join neighborhood watches.
- Get to know your neighbors well.
- Keep valuable possessions out of sight.
- Be mindful of what you post on social media.
- Get a dog for your house.
- Always have the numbers of local law enforcement with you.
- Keep up with maintenance.
- Keep the living room light open when leaving the house.
- Entrust spare keys to your people you can trust.
While a security system offers comprehensive protection, these general security tips can help enhance the security of your home and reduce the risk of burglaries even without one.
Reliable Partners for Residential Security – Keypad Locksmith
Different types of homes require different levels of security systems. A mismatch can cost you significant money while offering you nothing more significant than what you need.
The answer to this is to consult with experts. Our team of expert locksmiths at Keypad Locksmith can evaluate your home and install the most fitting security system. Our services range from smart door locks to installing comprehensive security devices for residential areas.
Contact Keypad Locksmith in Maryland, for more advice on home security locks. You can get a free estimate online or call (240) 205-9039.