8 Home Security Tips
With more than 45 years of experience in the home and business security industry, here are our top eight tips for discouraging intruders and burglars from targeting your home.
1. Create the illusion that someone is at your house.
If you are going to be gone for an extended time, leave a light or TV on in a room near the front door or other entry points like side doors or first-floor windows. You also can use exterior lighting and exterior motion lights to minimize places where a burglar could easily hide. There are a lot of ways to Vacation-Proof Your Home.
2. Make sure all exterior doors have reliable locks.
Install 1-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors and lock all doors before leaving your home or going to bed. Replace the ½” screws provided with the dead bolt strike plate with 2 ½ - 3” screws.
3. Double check before opening the door.
Always check to see who is at the door before opening the door. Install a peephole if needed or consider purchasing a video doorbell system.
4. Hide the spare keys.
Spare keys are a fantastic way to have an added level of access to your home in case you get locked out or lose a key. However, intruders are likely to peek under a doormat or to spot a fake rock. Give your spare key to a neighbor or close friend that you can trust.
5. Secure your sliding glass doors.
Growing up we used a 3/4” dole rod in the door; when I became an adult, I learned that rod wouldn’t stop anyone. Use a metal spring-loaded bar in the middle of the door.
6. Keep the garage doors closed.
Your garage door leads directly into your home, so it is important to keep it closed even when you are at home. Your garage door can be connected to your home security system by using a garage door contact, such as a magnetic switch.
7. Hide cash and expensive items.
Keep cash and high dollar items in a safe place, such as a locked box in a child’s toy chest or on a bookshelf. If possible, keep these items in a safe with a secure lock.
8. Ladders and trash cans
Ladders and trash cans can be used by intruders to enter your home. For that reason, these types of items are best kept out of sight and away from the side of your home. You can keep trashcans and ladders in your garage or lock them to your fence.
Home security systems are easier and more accessible than ever before. Installing a system can keep your home and the ones you love safe, even when you can’t be there. Home security can be automated and accessed from your smartphone. Some of our clients love the ability of being able to quickly lock a door if they forgot on their way to soccer practice or turn on the lights when your kid gets home from school. Even if you are not in the mood to get off the couch, you can open your phone and see who is at your door. Using these practical safety tips along with a home security system are important tools to keep your home secure.
If you are interested in learning more and want to talk to our friendly team of experts, give us a call!
