Safety First: How to Increase Your Home Security

Safety First: How to Increase Your Home Security

increase-your-home-security
Feeling safe in one’s home is a top priority for a homeowner. Even with the decline in property crime in 2013 there are many inexpensive – easy – measures you can implement to increase your home security, protecting yourself, those you love, and your financial investment.

Be neighborly

One of the easiest things you can do is make friends with your neighbors so you can watch out for each other. Trading favors, like feeding the family pet or watering the plants while you or your neighbors leave town, can go a long way in building your friendship.

Taking it 1 step further, you could even join or create a neighborhood watch program. To find out what programs are available near you contact your local police department.

Maintain your landscaping

Well kept landscaping not only lets potential burglars know your house is being lived in, but it decreases the amount of cover they have to hide in.

Many safety experts will tell you to abide by the three-foot-by-six-foot rule that proclaims to keep shrubs down to 3 feet in height and tree branches to at least 6 feet off the ground.

Protect your garbage

Leaving empty, over-sized, big-ticket item boxes by the road can be an advertisement of what you have in your house—especially during the holidays. To help guard against this, tear down all of your big boxes or do not put them out until your trash pickup day.

Use your lights

A well-lit house makes it harder for a burglar to break in. Installing outdoor and indoor motion activated lights can help ward off a burglary attempt before it even starts.

Placing your lights on timers, or even purchasing a fake television light, will give the impression you’re home when you’re away.

Reinforce your doors

The easiest way to enter a home is through the door and thieves know this. Upgrading your deadbolt lock, entry door, or door frame will help make it harder for them to kick it in. Consumer reports’ test of entry doors found a strong door frame may count more than the door.

Create secret hiding places

There are plenty DIY projects that will allow you to create secret hiding places for your more valuable items. These spaces will help keep your items safe both when you’re home and away.

 Fake it

If you’re on a tight budget, or heading out of town on vacation, there are ways to fake your home security. Many people have dogs to protect their homes, however, if you are unable to get a dog then try buying a couple “Beware of Dog” signs to put up around your property.

Another way to fake it is to buy a few fake alarm stickers or install dummy security cameras. These do it yourself systems are relatively inexpensive and can be a strong deterrent for criminals.

Do it for your loved ones

Keeping yourself and your loved ones safe will always be at the forefront of your thoughts. Ease your mind by utilizing at least one of these tactics or all of them.

How will you increase your home security?


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