While the amount of burglary cases in the USA has been declining, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to protect yourself. Burglaries and home invasions do happen, and they can be incredibly costly. In addition to the potential damage and losses, these types of situations can often leave their mark on you psychologically.
While everyone knows to lock their doors and be careful who they open a door for, there are many more things you can do to increase your home security. With that in mind, this article is going to look at a few tips to keep your home safe and secure.
Inspect Your Windows and Doors
We mentioned earlier that, while important, simply locking your doors and windows may not be enough to deter potential criminals. The actual “type” of door or window can impact how secure your home can be. For example, a steel door is better than a wooden one and all windows should be sturdy and feature strong glass.
In addition to making sure that windows and doors are high quality, you should also ensure they aren’t damaged. If a door or window doesn’t properly shut or is worn down in some way, it should be replaced or it could easily be a potential entry point for thieves. Also, when you take possession of a new home, be sure to change the locks.
Get a Home Security System
If you are serious about protecting your home and the items you keep inside, you should consider getting some form of a home security system. These not only deter potential criminals but if someone does try to break in, loud alarms will sound and authorities will be contacted. Of course, there are several different types of security systems and brands that offer them, so do your research and see what works for you.
If you want to learn more about what to look for in a home security system or compare the different options, the internet is a great place to start. There are numerous great resources (including https://homesecurityseek.com/) that can make your search much easier.
Keep Expensive Items Out of Sight
Most of us are in possession of a few valuables that are either expensive or are things we wouldn’t like to lose. One of the best things you can do for the security of your home is to keep these things out of sight. You shouldn’t look to advertise how many cool or expensive things you have, as thieves might see you as a potential target.
If you have large front windows or people can see through your front door window, either have them covered or keep expensive things out of view. Also, with many thieves wanting to be in and out of your home very quickly, hide your valuables in places that people might not think about. They are unlikely to check uncommon places, so get creative.
Don’t Hide Spare Keys Outside
While you might think you have the perfect hiding spot outside for your spare key, we recommend never keeping a spare key to your home outdoors. This makes it incredibly easy for a thief to potentially get into your home, especially if they have been watching and know where the spot is.
Instead of hiding them outside, you should get more creative with what you do with them. Either give them to someone you trust for safekeeping or keep them in your garage. Keeping them in your garage will keep the keys safe, but also allow you to get them easily (as long as you don’t forget the garage code number).
Hopefully, this article has been able to help you learn how to better secure your home going forward. While the chances of anything happening are relatively low, it’s better to be safe than sorry and there is nothing wrong with being prepared.
