Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home. Unfortunately, some things are beyond our control, and we never know when something bad might take place. According to predictive analytics, about 75 percent of homes in the United States will be broken into in the next two decades, regardless of the town or neighborhood. That’s a staggering number, and we can infer that even the most careful homeowners might have their homes broken into in the foreseeable future.
But while we may never be able to 100 percent ensure that nothing bad will ever happen to our property, we can at least place some safeguards to lessen the risk. Even if you live in a relatively safe neighborhood, it can’t hurt to add protection to your property. Here are some pointers for increasing security in and around your home.
Secure all the entry points
If you live in a neighborhood where fences aren’t allowed by the Homeowners Association, make sure that every single entry point in your home is as secure as possible. Here are some tips for making a thorough inspection for every door and window:
- Enlist the help of garage door repair specialists to ensure that your garage is as durable and secure as possible. With their services, you can be assured of the quality of the work and the materials, and at the same time, they can give you tips on how to ensure that no one can bypass the door’s locks and safety features.
- Double or triple lock every door in the home. Ditch the “hide-a-key” practice for good—it will train you and your other family members to never forget their keys.
- Invest in some anti-burglary window alarms for your home, especially if your windows are made of glass and can be easily broken into. These locks will sound the alarm if anyone tries to open or break the windows open at night.
- Don’t neglect your chimney as well. It’s not just the wild animals that can use it as an entry point, especially if your chimney is on the larger side. Secure your chimney through a chimney cap.
Upgrade to smart security
After you’ve secured every entry point into your home, now is the time to consider upgrading to smart security. Here are some basic tech tools you can consider as you slowly transition your way into smart security:
- Smart security cameras are not just your run-of-the-mill CCTV cameras. Smart cams are Wi-Fi enabled, which means that homeowners can view the live footage from their smartphones. They can also notify homeowners if the cameras detect people, packages, and other types of movement. If you truly want the most up-to-the-minute version, you can even opt for the cameras that have infrared or night vision capabilities. Some security cam systems even have cloud storage capabilities and two-way audio so that homeowners can speak to the people knocking on their doors.
- Smart locks are Bluetooth or WiFi-enabled devices that provide homeowners with the capability to lock their homes through their smartphones. It’s particularly convenient for family members who are not good with keys and tend to be forgetful. Through a simple voice command or a tap of a finger, smart lock and unlock doors. And the best part? They allow for remote access, so even if you’re away from home and want to open the door for somebody, you can do so even from afar.
- If you want to level up the feeling of safety in your home, consider investing in a panic button. It will help you immediately alert the authorities, a hospital, the police, or even the fire department in the event of an emergency.
Adopt a guard dog
Experts say that guard dogs are second to CCTV in terms of deterring burglars from trying to enter your property. If you’ve always wanted to adopt a dog but never got around to it, let security and safety be a good reason. Just make sure to have them properly trained for the job so that they don’t accidentally attack or bite genuine guests and other good people who might be innocent walking in and around your property. Breeds like Akita, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Bullmastiff, and Doberman Pinscher make excellent guard dogs.
You and your family deserve to feel safe and comfortable in your home. Increase your security by bolstering all the entryways, investing in smart tech tools, and adopting a guard dog you can love and who would also love your family. Good luck, and stay safe out there!
