The safety and security of your home should always be a top priority. But now that we’re spending more time within our homes, it’s even more important to take the time and equip the latest security measures inside and outside of your home. Taking the right precautions to protect your abode can not only help you protect your loved ones but give you peace of mind that your processions are safe whether you’re home or visiting elsewhere. Ready to make your home a safer space for all? Here are 5 simple tips to keep in mind as you enhance your home security.
1. Install a Smart Lock On the Front and Back Doors
No matter if you’re tracking your teens coming in and out of your home, or have a babysitter or dog walker that regularly visits your home, a smart lock can help you keep track of who’s entered your home and when. When I first saw a smart lock on a door, my immediate thought was that this was a gimmick. It wasn’t until I had one installed on my own front door that I saw it’s multiple values. Not only was I able to know exactly when my children got home from school, but I was able to make a note of when my daily dog walker came into and exited my home. Most smart locks are able to hold more than one code, which means you can give every family member their own code to keep track of their whereabouts for safety, as well as give codes to a babysitter, dog walker, cleaning service, or maintenance professional. This gave me (and gives many) the peace of mind that only those with a passcode or thumbprint are able to open the door. This alone helps to keep unwanted parties out. On top of that, smart locks feature motorized deadbolts that recognize when someone had entered in the way they’re meant to and when the deadbolt or touchpad is being tampered with during a forced entry. As smart locks are becoming the new normal for housing, the options for a lock at a great price are nearly endless.
2. Keep Your Lighting Strategic
Never underestimate the power of strategic and bright lighting outside of your home. Nothing deters unwanted parties and burglars away from your home quite like a spotlight. However, you don’t need to use a movement-activated spotlight in every corner of your home’s exterior. Too much light might cause an issue if neighborhood animals or nocturnal creatures make their way across your lawn in the wee hours of the night. If you want to enhance the safety of your home and find a way to create aesthetically pleasing security, plan out a well-lit landscape. Whether you’re using professional-grade lighting throughout a walkway up to your front door or driveway lighting that activates by sensing motion, lighting is a feature that adds both function and form.
3. Know Your Neighborhood’s Patrol Company and Schedule
If you live in a neighborhood that utilizes nightly or weekly patrol services, make sure you have the services number and schedule near to your home. A patrol car is often more than enough to keep burglars at bay, but in the case that a break-in was to happen, it’s likely a security officer that would be the first to arrive for assistance. Many security officers are trained to help with a variety of neighborhood threat situations, understanding the difference between patrolling, assisting, and calling in other professional help if the situation calls for it. See something suspicious but aren’t sure whether you should call an emergency line or police station? It might be something your neighborhood security can handle on their own.
4. Install Security Film
Windows happen to be the most common entry point for thieves and squatters. There’s no need for me to remind you to lock your windows before you leave your home and before you go to sleep, but I’ll do it anyway. Lock away. If you’d like to enhance the security of your windows even further, installing security film may be the answer. Security film and shatterproof film helps to keep the glass on your window’s safer from forced entry. Not only does it make it nearly impossible to smash through glass, but certain security films can help you see outside at night without the risk of someone else looking in. Reflective security film is an excellent choice to add a certain amount of privacy to your home without compromising on the look of your windows or your view to the outdoors.
