The simple truth is, if you don’t pay attention to the safety and security of your home, you’ll make your property more attractive to a potential burglar. Fortunately, however, there are numerous relatively easy ways to safeguard your home from break-ins and theft. Obviously, you can’t foresee every possible vulnerability, but you can still take a good number of reasonable, cost-effective steps to prevent most circumstances in which a robbery could take place.
Don’t put a “hidden” key outside. Anyone who wants to get into your place will easily find your key under the mat, or quickly locate the key you put inside your mailbox or under the flower pot. Probably if you have a keyholder disguised as a rock, professional robbers will likely recognize it. Instead, give your extra key to a trusted neighbor.
Do not leave any ladders outside. Someone could pretend to be a contractor, and may try to use your ladder to gain entry through a second-floor window, or use it to land on your balcony if you have one.
Keep your valuables hidden well.
- Safeguard your emergency cash, fine jewelry, and other treasured possessions in uncommon locations.
- Rent a safe-deposit box at your bank to guard any particularly valuable items.
- A home safe may be better for your needs, perhaps one anchored to the floor or hidden in the wall.
Establish simple household rules.
- Don’t answer the door to strangers. (Install a peephole if you don’t already have one.)
- Keep your windows and doors locked when you leave, as well as before everyone goes to sleep for the night.
- Keep your garage door in good working order, and keep it closed and locked whenever you’re away.
Don’t keep your keys and garage-door remotes out in the open. It’s a bad idea to keep your keys and remotes on display near the door, where anyone could peek through your window. It’s better to store these important objects hidden inside a drawer or cupboard.
Post warning signs and insignias. It may sound harebrained to some people, but it can be effective to put up a sign or window sticker from a security company near each door or window ~ even if you don’t actually have a security system. Be creative. Post a “Beware of Dog” sign, or a “No Trespassing” sign.
Secure your air conditioning unit. You wouldn’t want a prowler to get through an unsecured window utilizing an air-conditioner bracket, corner braces, or a sliding window lock.
Install timers. Consider putting your porch lights on timers. That way, when you’re gone during the day, or away for a long time, you can make it look like people are at home. Not only can you use timers on your lights, but also on your TVs, computers, and radios. If you have a smart device attached to your timer, you can monitor and control everything with a mobile app, to make it appear as if your home is occupied the entire time you’re gone.
Use lights effectively. Install outdoor lighting with infrared motion detectors near each of your doors. Motion detector lights help to discourage trespassers. They can even be connected to your smart device, so you can quickly detect any unwelcome activity, and respond immediately. Some are made to respond to changes in temperature, light, or sound. Be sure also to make it a point to keep some of your indoor lights on if you’re going to be gone.
Eliminate possible intruder hiding places. Keep your trees, hedges, shrubs, and all other plants trimmed. If they’re too ungainly, tall, or poorly spaced, a potential thief can hide easily.
Additional Affordable Ways You Can Boost Your Home Security
There are plenty of other ways to enhance your home security. Some can take a little more effort, but can be reasonably priced. To discover more about the many options available to you, if you’re located anywhere in Birmingham, Alabama, you may want to schedule a free consultation with a staff mobile residential locksmith expert at Birmingham Locksmith. The following measures won’t take too much money or effort.
Fortify your doors. Inspect your outside entry points. A hollow door is of lower quality, and therefore easier for a burglar to penetrate. Therefore, replace it with a solid door, made of wood or metal.
Check your front- and back-door locks. If any locks are weak, you can reinforce them by replacing the strike plate (the stationary piece where the bolt enters), and then mounting an extra solid metal plate on the doorjamb for the sliding bolt. If you currently have short mounting screws, you can replace them with longer screws, which will reach the door’s studs and add extra strength to the doorframe.
If you have a sliding-glass door, make it more secure by placing a wooden dowel cut to size, or an adjustable safety bar, in the floor track. You can also add a floor bolt.
Upgrade your locks. Any professional locksmith will tell you that deadbolts provide exceptional security. Make sure you get a grade-2 deadbolt lock, which penetrates the doorframe. Heavy-duty is always more resilient.
Digital or smart locks are electronic devices that provide additional security for your front door. With some, you can even synchronize your smart lock with your smartphone, so you won’t have to carry a house key at all.
Install surveillance cameras. Surveillance cameras will definitely keep you aware of all that’s happening around your perimeter, so you can contact the authorities right away if you see any hint of foul play. Of course, you can also buy a premium-quality surveillance camera, which records video footage. Depending upon how much you want to spend, you can add additional security measures.
Use high-tech home automation. Nowadays, if you have a large budget, you can monitor all your home activities with a smart app. It’s possible to manage your whole house with a smart alarm system. From simulating routine habits, to checking your property anytime you want while you’re not even home, your property almost takes care of itself! If you detect any undesirable activity, you’ll be notified by an alert on your smartphone. You’ll enjoy wide-ranging safety with a smart home security system.
Article source here: HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR HOME’S SECURITY
