Top 10 Home Security Tips for All Homeowners
Every homeowner, new or old, values the safety and protection that their house provides for them. You keep your most valuable possessions and loved ones protected in your home. As such, every homeowner must be concerned with the level of security within and around their premises.
The number of break-ins and burglaries around the U.S. is only getting higher. Protecting your home also means protecting your loved ones and valuables. With all of the choices, variants, and considerations, you may have a hard time choosing.
Read through this article and understand what makes up a good home security. Use our best home security tips to protect your family and valuables.
Key Takeaways:
- A home security system is a combination of proactive measures and useful hardware that will protect your home from burglaries.
- Home security systems can include simple door locks and joining a neighborhood watch patrol.
- Use Great Valley Lockshop services to optimize your security system and get the best hardware for your home protection.
How Important is Home Security?
Preserving home security means protecting your property, valuables, and life from intruders. Approximately one million burglaries occur in the U.S. annually. These cases commonly occur in homes without security systems.
Installing a security system can give homeowners a high level of peace of mind. You would not need to be worried if you need to leave the house or if you are home alone.
In addition, homes with security systems are less likely to be targeted by burglars. Overall, investing in home security measures is a proactive step towards protecting your property, loved ones, and peace of mind.
10 Best Home Security Tips and Safety Measures for Homeowners
Home security measures can range from simple lock installation to more complex steps, such as setting up a smart lock system. The more comprehensive your home security is, the less likely you are to be targeted by burglars.
We’ve rounded up 10 essential home security tips you need to observe to set up a strong and secure foundation.
1. Install Locks on the Windows
Windows is a common access point in any infrastructure, let alone a home. Your window and door supplier should be able to recommend a set of high-security locks that work with the style of fixtures installed in your new house.
Especially if you have bay-type windows, intruders are more likely to target you. Invest in a sturdy lock system for your windows.
There are also many after-market window lock options to help you lock up. You should also consider adding security window screens and electronic or smart locks that can alert you with an audible alarm or through a wireless smart home security system when windows are opened.
2. Upgrade Locks on Doors
Securing your doors is the first level of security every homeowner should do. Depending on the type of doors, invest in sturdy deadbolt locks and consider reinforcing them with additional hardware.
Every type of door has a compatible lock to go with it. More advanced locks have safety features that can add a layer of protection.
Factory locks on sliders are notoriously weak and flimsy. Plus, these doors can be dismantled from the outside.
To help prevent break-ins, we recommend installing a two-bolt locking system on sliding glass doors or reinforcing the lock with an auxiliary lock and jimmy plate. Consider adding anti-lift devices that secure the sliding door to the fixed part of the door.
This makes it so that the door cannot be lifted out because the sliding door is secured in two separate places.
3. Secure the Garage
Garage doors are a major entry point in many homes. Because homeowners often overlook them, garages are more vulnerable to theft and often allow burglars to access other parts of the house. Local police advise residents not to leave remote garage door operators in their cars parked outside the house.
It’s best to put extra deadbolts on the overhead and garage doors or consider one of the smart garage door locks now available on the market. It would also help to install security cameras in the garage.
4. Use a Burglary and Fire-Rated Safe
Safes can be real lifesavers. All homeowners should plan to keep original copies of important documents, such as insurance policies, financial accounts, legal documents, passports, birth certificates, and others.
Security cards in a safe that certifies protection in case of a burglary or fire. This can also be a secure place to store family heirlooms, jewelry, and valuables. Install your safe in a secure location to prevent unauthorized access.
Nowadays, there are many types of safes that you can choose from. Choose a frame that suits your budget, needs, and security system. Consider using electronic safe locks if you want a high-end and comprehensively secure safe.
5. Utilize Lighting
Don’t give home invaders the dark cover they want while working to gain access. Installing lights around the property will help create an environment that deters burglars.
Create a well-lit area, especially in the most vulnerable points of your house, such as the window and door areas.
At night, floodlights can be used to illuminate the back and sides of the house. When paired with motion-activated sensors, these can be an unwanted surprise for potential intruders and decrease energy consumption for powering exterior lights.
6. Keep the Landscaping Trimmed
Similarly, maintaining a clean yard and clearing bushes and hedges around the house can help deter criminals. Cutting back trees and trimming the landscaping around doors and windows helps eliminate places where burglars might hide while trying to enter a house.
7. Join the Neighborhood Watch Program
Many residential areas have neighborhood watch groups. The goal is to work together as a local community to increase safety. By alerting neighbors of threats in the area and reporting suspicious activity to the police, these types of efforts can effectively decrease crime.
They also help build stronger relationships among neighbors and a stronger sense of community.
8. Get an Alarm System
Having an alarm system significantly boosts your home security. Have your home equipped with alarm systems and home security surveillance. It will deter criminal activity, help prevent burglaries, and ensure that the authorities respond quickly in case of a security threat.
Innovative voice-automated smart home systems can be integrated with security devices. For example, Alexa Guard and Google Nest have security sensors that detect motion, open doors and windows, and even the sound of breaking glass. Commercial door alarms are also becoming more popular.
9. Add a Smart Doorbell Camera
Video doorbells and other smart security upgrades for the home can be integrated into virtual smart systems. They offer extra security in terms of screening visitors, discouraging potential thieves, and recording activity near the home.
Video recordings can help recover stolen items, prosecute a crime, or recuperate expenses through insurance after a burglary.
10. Be Mindful of What You Expose on Social Media
Burglars are becoming more and more crafty by the day. Be careful not to expose any vulnerabilities of your house security in your social media posts, as these can be entry points for burglars.
In addition to posting your home’s structure, avoid posting about your travel plans or extended absences. Such information can alert burglars that your house is more vulnerable while you are away.
Top Reasons Why You Need a Home Security System
One can never be sure about the safety of any neighborhood in today’s time. As a homeowner, you want to protect your family and valuables from ill-intentioned individuals.
A comprehensive security system provides several benefits for every homeowner. We listed the top benefits of establishing your home security system:
To Protect Your Valuables and Safety
It goes without saying that your house is where you put all of your valuable stuff. Not to mention, it is where your loved ones live, and you want to protect them from anything bad.
Having a security system can help you increase the protection level for your safety and valuables. This means having less chances of financial losses and potential danger to your family.
To Prevent Break-ins or Crimes
Homes without a security system are more likely to have break-ins. Having a security system is a red flag for burglars or intruders. If a break-in persists, a security system can help you determine the burglar’s identity or give you clues regarding their activities.
For Peace of Mind
A secure home provides peace of mind by minimizing the risk of physical harm to you, your family members, and your pets. You can casually leave your home for a vacation without the anxiety that something bad might happen if you have a security system in place.
To Preserve Insurance Benefits
Installing a home security system may qualify you for discounts on your homeowner’s insurance premiums, resulting in long-term cost savings.
To Detect Emergencies
Some security systems can go beyond just deterring burglars. There are systems that can help detect unwanted scenarios, such as a small fire or an accident among your family members while you are away.
Having a security system can help you address situations and prevent them from becoming more serious.
Where Are the Most Common Entry Points for Burglars?
Every house has a vulnerable point. Burglars who take their time to assess your living space can easily detect this. But having a security system can help you secure all spots in your home.
The question is, where are the most common entry points that every burglar would most likely target?
Here are the most common entry points chosen by burglars ranked according to probability according to ADT:
- Front door 34%
- First-floor windows 23%
- Back door 22%
- Garage door 9%
- Unlocked areas or storage 6%
- Basement 4%
- Second-floor window 2%
Knowing and securing these areas is your first step to safeguarding your home. These areas require the most attention and can be the focal point of your security system.
Great Valley Lockshop can evaluate, prescribe, and install the most fitting security systems for residential homes. Our experts are well-versed in dealing with different settings for residential homes.
What Factors Attract Burglars the Most?
The main point is that burglars are likelier to break into a vulnerable house with no security system. In addition, some other factors can make your house seem like a great target or weaken your security.
Consider the following factors that attract burglars when fortifying your security measures:
- Unlocked doors and windows
- Poorly lit areas
- Visible valuables
- Overgrown vegetation
- Lack of surveillance cameras
- Easy access to the backyard
- Unoccupied vehicles
- Neighborhood reputation
- Overexposure of properties on social media
- Predictable patterns
Addressing these factors through proactive security measures and community vigilance can help reduce the likelihood of your property becoming a target for burglary. Incorporate the mentioned factors into strategizing for your home security.
How Do You Protect Your New Home Without a Security System?
Not all homeowners can afford the top-of-the-line security system. Despite this, there are several practices that you can do to protect your home and belongings from burglars.
Protecting your home without advanced security requires proactive measures, vigilance, and crafty practices.
If you do not have a security system in place, practice the following house security ideas to keep your house and family safe:
- Always secure doors and windows.
- Invest in good quality door and window locks.
- Maintain good lighting in vulnerable areas.
- Maintain landscaping and prevent shrubs from overgrowing.
- Join neighborhood watches.
- Get to know your neighbors well.
- Keep valuable possessions out of sight.
- Be mindful of what you post on social media.
- Get a dog for your house.
- Always have the numbers of local law enforcement with you.
- Keep up with maintenance.
- Keep the living room light open when leaving the house.
- Entrust spare keys to your people you can trust.
While a security system offers comprehensive protection, these general security tips can help enhance the security of your home and reduce the risk of burglaries even without one.
Reliable Partners for Residential Security – GV Lock
Different types of homes require different levels of security systems. A mismatch can cost you significant money while offering you nothing more significant than what you need.
The answer to this is to consult with experts. Our team of expert locksmiths at Great Valley Lockshop can evaluate your home and install the most fitting security system. Our services range from smart door locks to installing comprehensive security devices for residential areas.
Contact Great Valley Lockshop in Malvern, Pennsylvania, for more advice on home security locks. You can get a free estimate online or call (484) 324-2986.
