How to Improve Home Security

According to insurance giant Allstate, “Protecting your family starts with protecting your home.” While this might seem as if it’s a no-brainer, many people miss little things when it comes to securing their residence. Some even miss the big things. Being too trusting is a recipe for disaster. It doesn’t matter if you live in a safe neighborhood. Your home’s security should be topnotch at all times. It’s the only way to ensure you and your family remains safe. Here are six ways to combat theft.

How to Improve Home Security

1. Change Your Locks

There are two times when you should change the locks in your home no matter what. When you first move in and if you or someone in the family loses their keys. When you first move into a home, who says the previous owner is handing over all the keys? Do you have a way to verify that? When you lose your keys, who says someone can’t figure out whom the set belonged to and where that person lived? Can you be certain of that? Never take chances. Change all locks in these two scenarios. Use a key cutting company like Fast Keys and change all locks in these two scenarios.

2. Conceal Exterior Wiring

If you don’t have a Home security system, get one. Professionals that work in the security industry, such as Alder Home Security, often cite home burglary statistics to support the need for such a system. The problem isn’t that these companies cite these statistics to get your business; the problem is these statistics are true. You need to secure your home no matter where you live, and once you do or if you already have, you need to conceal all exterior wiring. Burglars cut it to disable your system.

3. Never Show That You’re Away

Allstate also warns that “Professional burglars scour neighborhoods looking for homeowners who are away from their home for an extended period of time.” As such, you should always make it look as if you are home. Install automatic timers to turn on your lights at night. If you’re away on vacation, many timers can also turn them off at bedtime. Make certain you have a trusted neighbor or friend pick up your morning newspaper and mail while away. The person should also open and close your curtains. You could even consider hiring a property guardian if this isn’t a possibility.

4. Speaking of Lights

You should also light up the exterior of your home. Burglars stay away from lit properties because it’s too easy to see them in the dark. This is why many commercial and industrial properties burn mercury lights all night long. You might not want mercury lights, but you can install attractive exterior lighting that works off infrared sensors. This means the lights turn on when triggered by a person on your property to alert you and people outside that somebody is there.

5. Use Your Deadbolt Locks

Yes, they stick sometimes but that’s fixable with a little graphite spray. You should always use your deadbolt locks and you should have them on all doors that enter into your home, including the door in from the garage and your French doors. Do not skimp on this safety measure. Deadbolt locks are an extremely effective way to keep burglars from breaking into your home. Install locks that are at least 1-inch thick and make certain to seal your doorjambs so burglars cannot pry them open.

6. Don’t Forget Your Sliders

Finally, you should also use metal bars or other blocks on your sliding glass doors. This prevents a burglar from being able to force the door open should he or she manage to jimmy your lock. This preventative measure is quite simple. If you don’t want to go to the expense of having metal bars installed, measure the door track and head to the hardware store to have PVC piping cut to size and slip it in the track behind the door to block it from opening.

You can never be too safe. Secure your home and your family with proper preventative measures. This doesn’t just include protecting yourself against theft. Make certain your home is protected against fire and carbon monoxide poisoning as well.

More Ways to Keep Your Family Safe:

• Easy Home Security Tips Every Parent Should Teach Their Kids
• Internet Safety for Kids
• How to Keep Kids Safe Online
• After School Safety: Tips for Keeping Kids Safe until You Get Home
• How to Protect Your Home Against Intrusion