How to Make Your Home More Secure

Moving into your new home and decorating it to your style and preferences is amazing, but what is also very important is making sure all that remains safe and protected. According to statistics, burglaries happen every 21 seconds, so your home safety should be very high on your list of priorities.

Consider the following suggestions to make your home more secure.

Reinforce your doors

Surprisingly, 34% of burglars simply come in through your front door! Don’t do them any favours and examine carefully all your exterior doors to ensure they’re stable and strong, that hinges are protected and that your lock is functional. If you have any doubts, rely on the help of your local professional locksmith in Epping to reinforce your existing lock or set you up with new ones.

In addition, you shouldn't penny pinch when it comes to purchasing your front door. It's best to invest a bit more into a solid hardwood door or a steel one than to regret it later. You might also consider installing heavy-duty deadbolt strike plates to resist any attempts at entering by kicking the door down. Also, for about $100, you can get additional doorway reinforcement kits that will fortify any weak spots on your front door.

Check your windows and sliding glass doors

Older, horizontal models of sliding glass doors and windows can be easily lifted so burglars can come in. To prevent this from happening, you need extra protection such as a stick or a curtain rod you can put in the track, or a window sensor alarm that will notify you on your phone that someone is attempting to break in. In that case, you even have the option to turn off the lights remotely or access the video footage of the location.

Other alternatives are to reinforce the glass with a layer of window security film, put up window bars, install glass break sensors and plant prickly bushes right in front of your ground floor windows.

Install a security system

Installing some kind of security system in your new home is practically a must, whether it’s a basic DIY system or a professional home monitoring system. There are many different options nowadays of home security systems for every level and budget. To pick your own, you need to evaluate your own home, your needs and your neighbourhood.

Most typically, homeowners opt to have security cameras as a part of a full home security system or as independent elements. Whatever you decide, it’s recommended you get a camera system that comes with a mobile app so you can see everything in real time and store it on your phone, if necessary.

Keep up your appearances

Most home invasions happen during the day when people are away at work and the kids are at school. Also, burglars target homes that are dark in the evening and seem empty. As a preventive measure, you can keep up appearances by setting timers to turn on the lights and the TV so intruders will be tricked into believing you’re home.

With a home automation system, you can do all this remotely and control all the lights, smoke alarms, security cameras and locks.

Light up the place

A great way to deter and discourage burglars from approaching your home is to keep the outside well lit. Install motion-sensor lights at your doorways and entrances and set your exterior lights on a timer. Keep your curtains closed so no one can peek inside and position your light timers near windows in a concealed spot. They're inexpensive and a good security measure while you’re absent.

Secure your garage

Most homeowners neglect their garage as a potential entry point for burglars, but they have become a more frequent target for criminals. Even if you don't have direct access from your garage to your home, there's still a lot to steal as that's where you store most of your unused things. Always remember to lock your garage door and access to your home, if there is one, but you might also consider installing a separate security system on the garage door with a code.

Hopefully, setting up your home with an effective security system will be easier with these tips and suggestions and you don’t have to do everything immediately. Start with those elements you consider most urgent and you can upgrade your system later.