Home Security Tips

Your home security is of course important to you. Nothing means more than assuring the safety of your home and your family. In a world that is rapidly changing, what can you do to secure your home against criminals?

There are several methods that should be taken into consideration and looked at for their effectiveness in your situation. Each has positive and negative points but also offers some type of additional protection for your home.

Home Alarm Systems

Among the best ways to prevent a burglary or a home invasion is a home burglar alarm. There are multiple choices for home alarms, including the motion sensor variety, where detectors that sense movement such as doors or windows opening will trigger the alarm, contact detectors that will activate an alarm when the magnets are no longer in contact, as well as several others. Most of these alarm systems make use of a control panel as well as a housing that contains a loud alarm or bell to alert you to the presence of an intruder.

Alarm systems come in both wired and wireless varieties and having those monitored by a security company who will immediately alert the police or emergency services for you is also an option.

Camera and intercom System

No one who is in the business of house breaking wants to be caught on tape doing something that they shouldn’t, so in many cases the close circuit camera variety is a very effective means of discouraging intrusions and illegal activity. Sensors are triggered by movement and the cameras record what is causing the motion. Intercoms permit you to ask who is at a door or a gate prior to opening it to permit them into the property or home.

Door Security

The home doors, both front and back should be fitted with locks that are of the secure deadbolt variety. Each door should also have a viewer as well as a door chain or some other type of door guard such as a bar. Doors should have some means to open a slight amount in security before opening the door in it’s entirety to permit an entrant to come into the home.

Lighting

Fit lights into the porches by all doors. If you have areas of your yard or garden that are particularly dark or hidden by trees or fences they should have a means to light them up and keep them well lit. This is a deterrent for most burglars. No one wants to be lit up and in full view if they are there for nefarious purposes.

Window Locks

Double hung windows don’t break quietly so make sure that your glass is kept in good condition so that its tough to break into the home. Install window locks on any window that can be used to enter the house.

Gates

If you have side gates to your property, make sure that they are secured with a lock and bolt or that the gate must be climbed over to get into the property as opposed to quietly opened and entered.

Garage

Lock your garages and sheds securely to assure that there is not an easy entry. Consider magnetic alarm installation on the doors. If your garage has a connecting door to your home assure that this door is kept securely locked at night and when you are not at home to assure that there isn’t an easy entry into your home.

Privacy Hedges and Fencing

If you are providing for your own privacy, consider making a very unwelcome surprise for someone entering your property through the fencing or hedges. Plant a single row of some type of thorn hedge or plant to assure that entry isn’t easily accomplished and will be less likely to be done in silence.

Mail Delivery

When you are away from home, ask a neighbor to check in and keep your mail and newspapers from piling up. Ask the postal service and newspaper services to hold your mail and other deliveries for you if this is possible, to assure that your home doesn’t look as though its empty.