You might think that your home is safe, but it’s not. Burglaries happen every day, and there are some simple steps you can take to make sure that yours doesn’t become a victim. The following tips will help ensure the safety of your family and possessions:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Home security is an important issue that requires careful attention and planning. |
| – There are many different strategies you can use to improve the security of your home, from installing high-quality locks to using smart technology. |
| – Common home security threats include break-ins, burglaries, and other types of criminal activity, as well as natural disasters and fires. |
| – By staying informed and taking proactive steps to improve your home’s security, you can help protect your property and your loved ones. |
| – Resources like the ones listed in this article can provide valuable tips and guidance on how to make your home more secure and keep you and your family safe. |
Improve Your Locks
When you move into a new home, it’s important to change the locks. A lock that was easy to pick in one house may not be pickable in a new one and vice versa.
If you’re buying your first home, ask your real estate agent if there have been any reports of break-ins or other crimes in your neighborhood.
If there have been several attempted break-ins, consider installing deadbolts on all exterior doors as well as a peephole and other security measures like alarm systems.
Don’t believe everything you hear about home security. Our article on common home security myths debunks some of the most persistent misconceptions and helps you focus on the measures that really matter.
Install Deadbolts
The good news is that deadbolts are less likely to be pried open than standard locks. The bad news is that they’re more expensive and require a little more effort to install.
Luckily, it’s not too difficult to install a deadbolt yourself: drilling holes in the doorframe, screwing the lock into place and adding a keypad or card reader (for added security).
If you’re unsure about your do-it-yourself abilities, don’t worry—most hardware stores offer free installation on new locks or will provide an installation service for a fee (usually around $50-$100).
Top Deadbolts for Home Security
| Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Schlage B60N 619 | Single cylinder deadbolt, Grade 1 security rating, includes 2 keys | $33.58 |
| Kwikset 991 Juno Smart Lock | Electronic keyless deadbolt with 1-touch locking and customizable access codes | $75.36 |
| Yale Security YRD226-CBA-619 | Keyless touchpad deadbolt with voice-guided programming and tamper-proof cover | $193.59 |
| August Smart Lock Pro | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled smart lock with auto-lock feature and Alexa integration | $219.99 |
| Medeco Maxum 11603 | Heavy-duty deadbolt with solid brass construction and UL fire rating | $203.90 |
Deadbolts are a simple but effective way to fortify your home’s doors against forced entry. These top deadbolts offer a range of features, from traditional key-based locks to advanced smart locks with mobile app control and voice integration.
Choose the model that best fits your needs and budget, and enjoy enhanced security and peace of mind.
Install An Alarm System
If you’re worried about home security, an alarm system is a great way to keep burglars away. Alarm systems are designed to be loud and obnoxious so that people will call the police if they hear one go off.
They can be monitored by a professional security company so that they’ll alert you when someone has entered your home without permission or tampered with them in any way. You can also use an alarm system as a deterrent by tying it into your phone—if someone breaks in while you’re out, they’ll trigger the siren and you’ll get an instant notification on your phone that there’s something wrong at home, making it easy for you to find out what happened and take action right away!
Alarm systems are pretty simple devices; most use wireless technology nowadays so there aren’t any wires involved (which makes them easier for people who don’t feel comfortable working with electricity).
You can buy these devices online or from local retailers like Walmart or Best Buy; many brands sell kits that include installation fees already included in their prices because they know how much customers value convenience when it comes time to set up their homes’ defenses against threats such as burglary attempts..
Securing your home doesn’t always have to break the bank. Explore our list of 15 surprising ways to secure your home on a budget and discover some clever, affordable solutions that can help keep your property safe.
Have A Security Guard Dog
If you have the space and the budget for it, a guard dog can be a good investment. A properly trained dog is more likely to deter thieves than any alarm system.
It also provides an early warning if someone enters your home without your permission, giving you time to call 911 or barricade yourself inside until police arrive.
A reputable breeder will teach you how to train your puppy so that it knows its boundaries and does not bite people who are welcome in your home but even untrained puppies can provide some protection by startling intruders into running away before they cause harm.
Just remember that dogs are expensive: You’ll need to feed them regularly, pay vet bills when they get sick or injured, buy high-quality food (which can cost upwards of $50 per month), and pay for training classes with experts like those at PetSmart® Stores nationwide
Make Your Home Look Occupied
You should try to make your home look occupied.
Leave a car in the driveway, even if you don’t drive it every day. It’s an easy way for burglars to know that someone is at home and may deter them from targeting your home.
Leave lights on inside where they can be seen from outside the house, especially during the evening when most burglaries occur. You can set timers or use smart bulbs so this isn’t too much of a hassle to do every night before bedtime!
Have some music or television playing as if someone were watching it (or better yet, leave radio on with talk radio).
You could also simply have someone over with whom you can chat while they distract potential criminals looking at your property while they’re out and about doing their business in nearby areas where all those fancy houses are located (if you live in one of those neighborhoods).
Worried about the cost of home security? Our guide to affordable security measures covers 17 different strategies for improving the safety of your home without emptying your wallet.
Install Perimeter Lighting
Motion activated lights. Having motion-activated security lights in your yard is one of the best things you can do to protect your home. You can also set them to be on a timer, which means that they’ll turn off after a certain amount of time.
Eye level placement. When choosing where to install your perimeter lighting, keep in mind that lights should never be placed higher than eye level or lower than 6 inches below it because this can cause accidents and injuries if someone trips over them while walking around inside or outside of the house at night.
Brightness levels for outdoor lighting: If possible, it’s recommended that outdoor lighting for homes cover an area at least 10 feet by 30 feet so that any intruders will be easily seen before they get too close (a distance of 20 feet from the house would be ideal).
Top Perimeter Lights for Home Security
| Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Beams MB3000 | Motion-sensing LED spotlight with wireless installation, weather-resistant | $29.99 |
| Ring Floodlight Cam | Wi-Fi enabled floodlight with motion-activated camera and siren, works with Amazon Alexa | $249.99 |
| Maximus Camera Floodlight | Home security device with motion sensor, 1080p HD camera, and two-way communication | $179.99 |
| Heath-Zenith HZ-5318-BZ | DualBrite motion-activated security light with adjustable detection sensitivity and timer | $42.99 |
| Sunforce 82156 | Solar-powered motion-activated security light with adjustable motion sensor | $31.55 |
Perimeter lighting is an effective and affordable way to boost the security of your home’s exterior. These top-rated perimeter lights offer a range of features and price points, from simple motion-sensing LED spotlights to high-tech devices with cameras and two-way communication. Choose the model that best fits your needs and budget, and enjoy enhanced visibility and security around your home.
Don’t Leave Clues For Burglars
In addition to hiding your valuables, there are many other ways you can make it harder for burglars to target your house. Here are some more tips:
Don’t leave mail or newspapers lying around outside your front door. This is especially important if you live in an apartment building, where all of the mailboxes are located near each other.
Don’t place mailboxes at ground level either—burglars prefer to use dumpsters as hiding places when they’re robbing a building, and placing a mailbox at ground level makes it easier for them to see inside of it and tell when there’s something worth taking.
Don’t leave keys in the mailbox either; this allows thieves who have access to the right tools (such as master keys) easy access into homes throughout an entire neighborhood or area.
If you need someone else’s help retrieving something from inside of your home while they’re away, consider leaving them with an electronic copy instead—or better yet, give them a spare key so that they can let themselves back in whenever needed!
Avoid parking vehicles in front of houses where people aren’t home; doing so makes it easier for criminals who want nothing more than quick cash from breaking windows or stealing electronics from parked cars using crowbars etc..
In fact this should go without saying: don’t ever leave anything valuable out on display where anyone could see it through windows from outside–this includes large TVs too!
With so many options on the market, choosing the best home security system can be overwhelming. Our article on how to choose the best home security system for your needs helps you navigate the decision-making process to find the right solution for you.
Keep Valuables Out Of Sight
You should also keep your valuables out of sight. You never know when someone will be watching you from a distance, so it’s best to keep your most valuable possessions secure.
There are several things you can do to protect yourself from theft:
Don’t leave valuables in the open. If you have anything that’s worth the effort of stealing, put them somewhere where people don’t see them or can’t easily reach them for example, in a safe or another room entirely.
Don’t leave valuables in plain sight inside your house or car (or anywhere else). If thieves suspect there’s something valuable inside an unattended vehicle parked on the street, they may break into it and take whatever they find inside the same goes for an unlocked house while no one is home.
Get A Digital Door Viewer
Another great way to keep an eye on your home is by getting a digital door viewer. A door viewer allows you to see who is at your door without having to open it and risk letting in any cold air that may be outside.
They’re also helpful for monitoring deliveries and can be used as a security feature when you’re away from your home, allowing you to see what’s going on through the app on your smartphone.
Many digital door viewers come with live video streaming capabilities and two-way audio so that you can speak with whoever is at the door even if they don’t have an app installed on their phone (or if they aren’t using the same brand).
They’re easy to install and use, which means anyone from kids to grandparents can get one up in no time! And best of all: they tend not cost much money at all!
By avoiding some of the most common home security mistakes, you can greatly increase your chances of keeping your home safe. Check out our guide on the most common home security mistakes to avoid to make sure you’re not making any of these critical errors.
Use A Safe Or Safe Deposit Box
Use a safe or safe deposit box to store valuables. If your home is burglarized, the criminals may steal your valuables and even destroy the locks on your doors and windows to help themselves get in.
When this happens, it’s important to have a safe place where you can keep your most prized possessions such as jewelry, antiques, expensive electronics and valuable documents such as titles or birth certificates.
If you don’t have any room in your house for one of these safes or if they’re too expensive for you right now, consider getting a small one that fits underneath your bed (which will be difficult for burglars to find).
Use a safe or safe deposit box to store important documents. It’s not just items like jewelry that need protecting from thieves; there are other types of documents that can be stolen from you during home invasions as well!
These include: passports; financial records like tax returns; credit card statements (don’t leave these out on display); passwords for online accounts (don’t write them down anywhere); photos of loved ones who live far away etcetera…
Top Home Safes and Safe Deposit Boxes
| Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SentrySafe SFW123GDC | Fireproof and waterproof safe, electronic lock, interior light | $290.00 |
| First Alert 2602DF | Digital safe with programmable lock and emergency override key, fire-resistant | $116.99 |
| Honeywell 1106 | Small fire-resistant safe with key-lock, double steel wall construction | $108.95 |
| FireKing KY11122 | Heavy-duty fireproof safe with UL Class 350 one-hour fire rating | $1,118.75 |
| Bankers Box STOR/FILE | Heavy-duty, fire-resistant document storage box with locking lid | $54.98 |
These home safes and safe deposit boxes can help keep your valuables and important documents secure in case of theft or disaster. Choose a model that fits your needs and budget, and make sure to keep it in a secure location in your home.
Conclusion
We hope that these tips help you to improve your home security and feel safer in your own home.
Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once. Start with one or two changes that make sense for your needs, then build on those later when finances allow.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you better protect your home:
How to Secure Your Home: This comprehensive guide provides practical tips and strategies for safeguarding your home against burglaries and other risks.
13 Easy Home Security Tips You Should Know: This article offers 13 simple but effective ways to improve your home’s security, from installing deadbolts to using smart technology.
Home Security: Tips and Tricks: This resource offers a wide range of advice on how to make your home more secure, from fortifying doors and windows to using outdoor lighting.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about home security:
What are some common home security threats?
Some common home security threats include break-ins, burglaries, and home invasions, as well as fires and natural disasters.
What are some effective ways to secure my home?
Some effective ways to secure your home include installing quality locks, using smart technology like security cameras and alarms, and keeping your property well-lit.
How can I protect my home while I’m away on vacation?
There are several steps you can take to protect your home while you’re away, such as stopping your mail and newspaper delivery, using timers to turn your lights on and off, and having a trusted neighbor or friend check on your home periodically.
Should I use a professional home security service?
This can depend on your individual needs and preferences. Professional security services can provide added peace of mind and may be particularly helpful for larger properties or families with more complex security needs.
What should I do if I suspect a break-in or other security breach?
If you suspect that your home has been broken into or otherwise compromised, it’s important to take immediate action. Call 911 if you believe there is an immediate threat, and contact your home security provider and/or the local authorities to report the incident.
Hi there! I’m Hellen James and I’m a writer and editor with a passion for home technology. I’ve been working in this field for over 10 years, so I know what it’s like to be a part of the growing field of smart home technology. I’ve written about everything from how to choose the right smart thermostat to what the best smart doorbell is for your needs.
