Home security is important, and it doesn’t have to be hard to kick up a notch. These home security tips will help you make the most of your safety measures.
How To Secure Your Home
- Get a Video Doorbell
- Always Lock Your Doors and Windows
- Subscribe to Local Police Alerts
- Get an Alarm System
- Install Smart Lighting
- Display Home Security Stickers
- Consider Installing Window Security Bars
- Keep Your Vacations Private
- Tap Your Neighbors For Help When Necessary
- Be Wary of Strangers at the Door
- Get a Large Dog
- Always Lock Your Car
- Don’t Advertise Your Wealth
1. Get a Video Doorbell
The first thing you should do to secure your home is to get a video doorbell, even if you think you don’t need one. Video doorbells are amazing tools for people who are away for most of the day, especially if you get a lot of packages. Video doorbells pick up on any activity that you may miss while you’re away. For example, if you have a “porch pirate” problem, the video doorbell can help determine who it is.
A motion-activated doorbell can be the best option for people who want to conserve batteries but still want to have evidence on tape.
2. Always Lock Your Doors and Windows
Locking your doors and windows daily is another part of securing your home. Believe it or not, many break-ins happen only because the homeowner didn’t lock their door or window. Trying to finagle a lock or jam open a window is much harder than you think, and thieves don’t like having to risk being caught trying to force open a door.
It’s way less suspicious if a thief can just walk in or hop in. By locking your windows, you help prevent that easy entry and dissuade them from showing up.
3. Subscribe to Local Police Alerts
Another great way to protect your home is to subscribe to local police alerts. Many towns now offer free security alerts from local police squads. This can be a good way to keep abreast of important goings-on like breaking and entering and other property crimes, as well as news about trends in local crime.
4. Get an Alarm System
Any truly secure home should have an alarm system. Nothing deters a robbery like a high-tech alarm system. After all, the last thing they want is to deal with a loudly blaring alarm after entering the home. However, many alarm systems can be fairly expensive.
5. Install Smart Lighting
Another smart way to protect your home is to install smart lighting. Smart lighting or motion-activated lights can act as a deterrent and can help prevent people from creeping around your property. Thieves want to get as much of a quick and unnoticed entry as possible. Having a literal spotlight on them is the easiest way to drop their interest in continuing a crime.
6. Display Home Security Stickers
Having home security stickers outside your house can deter thieves. You don't even need to have a security or alarm system installed as a potential robber won't want to risk breaking into a house with a security system in place. This is one of the cheapest and best ways to secure your home.
On a similar note, if you are a homeowner with pets, you should get a fire sticker that details the number of pets in the home. Then, firefighters can use the sticker to locate the animals in the event of a fire.
7. Consider Installing Window Security Bars
Installing window bars is a more “old school” practice, but if you live in an area where crime is rife, it still works. They are still a great way to secure a home, as breaking in is much more difficult when there are literal metal bars in the way of access. One drawback of window bars is that they can look unappealing, but it's always best to protect your home if you live in a dangerous area.
8. Get a Large Dog
If you are very worried about intruders, get a large dog. Robbers and other intruders are not likely to go into a home where they see a large dog growling at them. They’re not stupid. They know that dogs are protective of their owners, and if they try to harm the owner, they could end up with a nasty bite.
Even smaller dogs (like a Shih Tzu) can help deter criminals. The loud barks can startle more skittish robbers and make them wonder if someone is at home. After all, there’s a reason why having a watchdog is such a popular move.
9. Tap Your Neighbors For Help When Necessary
It’s always a smart idea to meet and greet your neighbors. In fact, you probably should try to get in touch with them from time to time. If something bad happens, it’s good to have the type of relationship you need to reach out for help.
For example, if your kid gets locked out, having the trust they need to ask a neighbor for help can make a world of difference. The same can be said when you have neighbors who you can ask to keep an eye on your home while you’re away.
10. Be Wary of Strangers at the Door
You probably teach your kids not to open the door to strangers, but you should also be wary of people you don’t know. It can be easy to trust someone, especially if they are asking for help. But, the truth is, it can open you up to potentially lethal attacks.
Many groups of criminals have started to lure people out of their homes or force their way in through the “damsel in distress” ploy. A better option would be to call the police on their behalf. That way, they'll get help while you stay safe.
11. Keep Your Vacations Private
Did you know that robbers tend to look online for families preparing to take a vacation? They take notes on who’s leaving and who’s announcing their vacations. This gives them the necessary information to make an entry as unnoticed as possible. It also gives them a good excuse for being on your property if neighbors notice you. By claiming that they’re the housekeepers you hired, your neighbors won’t be able to tell that something’s amiss.
Even if you have a very secure home, it's best to keep your vacations and trips private. You don't want to broadcast that you will be traveling, and the home will be left unoccupied.
12. Always Lock Your Car
Don’t leave your car unlocked, and always take your key fob with you if it’s parked outside. Just like how keeping doors locked can help prevent a break-in to your home, keeping your car locked can also help. Many cars have garage openers inside them, and you don’t want a robber to jump into your car and use it to open your garage or even to drive off with the vehicle.
Common sense goes a long way when it comes to keeping homes safe.
13. Don’t Advertise Your Wealth
This is another common-sense move that is practiced among many wealthy people. Robbers and fraudsters target people who clearly have wealth because they are more likely to be able to grab something and go.
If you look broke, you won’t be a target because they can’t tell if you will have anything worth taking.