There are a variety of effective methods for keeping intruders out of your house. In this post, we’ll go over various tactics and tricks that would-be invaders don’t want you to know. Continue reading to protect your house and family’s safety.
All points of entry should be guarded.
Your home’s windows and doors are the most vulnerable entry points. Strong deadbolt locks and window bars can help prevent forced entry. Consider utilizing security cameras and motion sensors to keep an eye on common access points while you’re away from home.
1. Examine all of the doors.
The door is the easiest point of entry for a thief. In actuality, around 34% of thieves attempt to enter through the front door, which is frequently the first option. If your door has a mail slot, ensure sure no one can unlock it with their hand or a tool by reaching inside. Another great way to improve the security of your front door is to install a peephole instead of a glass pane or a smaller aperture. It gives you the ability to observe unexpected visitors and is far more secure than a glass window or a smaller aperture.
Deadbolts, strike plates, and smart locks may all improve the security of your door. Smart locks, video doorbells, and other home security gadgets are excellent methods to improve the security of your home.
Exterior front doors: A hollow door is less secure than a solid-core metal or wood door because it may be kicked through. Most people envision thieves methodically selecting locks to get entry via a door, but in reality, they generally bash it down with physical force. As a consequence, you should use a door reinforcement plate and a door jamb reinforcement kit to strengthen your front door. With basic home tools and a little effort, you can install these two kits yourself.
Glass sliding doors: A safety bar should be used to link sliding doors to the internal floor track. Because sliding doors frequently have a weak latch that isn’t strong enough to hold them in place, they’re popular with burglars. With a simple yet strong kick to the bottom of the slider, criminals may gain leverage and open the door. We recommend installing a floor bolt or a foot lock for extra security.
2. Strengthen the windows
Burglars are always on the lookout for new ways to break in. Check the security of your windows and make it a habit to lock them whenever you leave the house or before going to bed.
Unfortunately, a window lock isn’t always reliable; latches are sometimes weak and can’t take brutal force. To strengthen the glass, window security film and window bars or dowels might be utilized. Here are some tips for burglar-proofing your windows:
Sensors in the windows: Install window sensors that will sound an alert if a window is shattered. If motion or a glass break is detected, certain sensors will send you an alert to your phone.
Pin locks: Pin locks allow windows to be partially open while remaining secure. Additional sophisticated pin-less versions are also available.
Put up curtains: This provides you privacy while simultaneously keeping your things hidden.
Natural defenses: Planting prickly or thorny plants beneath first-story windows is a good idea.
Sturdier glass: In the event of a collision, use impact-resistant safety glass. This is an excellent choice for small, little used windows.
3. Maintain the safety of your garage.
Because of the garage door’s weakness, assailants may easily jimmy a latch and lift, punch, or kick the door open. Ensure that the garage door is shut, the latch is fastened, and the inside door is locked.
Whatever you do, don’t leave your garage door opener clipped inside if you park your car outside. Burglars should not be able to shatter your glass and get access to your garage with a single button press.
Installing a home automation system that automatically closes your garage door when you open it is a good idea. Motion-activated flood lights in the garage may discourage intruders.
Try to disconnect the garage opener while you are on vacation. Even better, lock the door and make it impossible for criminals to open it. For a low-cost DIY approach, just drill a hole in the track right above a roller and secure it with a padlock.
1. Old locks should be replaced.
When moving into a new home, it’s important to replace all of the locks. Copies of the keys may be held by previous owners, their family, friends, and contractors who worked on the house. Check with your landlord to verify whether the locks have been updated if you’re a tenant. While you’re about it, replace any low-quality locks with ones that can survive picking or kicking.
2. Install a surveillance system.
Once you’ve covered the fundamental principles for home security, it’s time to install a security system. The best home security systems are simple to install and inexpensive. A security camera can be used as part of a larger security system or as a standalone device.
Cameras with mobile applications are ideal since they allow you to see real-time footage from your phone at any time. You may configure a timer to turn on lights around the house at different times of the day if your system has smart home automation features, so your home never seems vacant from the outside.
Some home security systems require expert installation. Wireless security systems are also available if you don’t want to utilize hardwired security systems.
3. Maintain a bright and clean yard.
Poor landscaping helps prospective thieves in more ways than one, even if you don’t realize it. To mention a few, dense trees, thick bushes, and burned-out or inadequate illumination. Lights discourage intruders, particularly in gloomy locations. Consider adding lighting to your front and back yards, as well as walkways.
Yard lighting: Automated lighting with infrared motion sensors is an excellent deterrent. When you’re on vacation, these are very useful. Use solar-powered lights for a more ecologically responsible alternative.
Street lighting: Burglars prefer to operate on streets that are only dimly lit. Check with your neighborhood association to see whether additional lights on the road may be placed. This will increase visibility, which will benefit both you and your neighbors.
Fence or gate: To truly secure your property, you should put in customized fences. A tall, solid fence gives greater privacy and is more difficult to climb than a chain-link fence. A padlock can be purchased to keep a gate or fence entry secured for added security.
4. Protect your Wi-Fi network
It’s easy to forget that your Wi-Fi need security beyond your login password, but there are a few steps you can take to ensure that your virtual world is as safe as your physical one. This is especially important if you’re controlling smart home automation equipment using your smartphone and an internet connection.
Any gadget that is linked to the internet can be hacked. An online security problem might become a home security threat if a criminal uses the information to better target an invasion. Here are some tips for decreasing the risks of cybercrime for homeowners:
• Give your home network an unusual name and a challenging password.
• Make sure your antivirus program is up to date.
• Set up a firewall.
• Enable WPA2 for enhanced security.
5. Hide your keys in a clever location.
No, not under your doormat or in your mailbox. No way, not even beneath that made-up rock.
Entrusting a key to a trusted neighbor is preferable. If you don’t get along with your neighbors or live in a rural area, you can utilize a combination lockbox. Simply place it in an out-of-the-way spot in your yard. Here are a few additional useful tips.
Keep your garage clicker out of your car if it’s parked in the driveway. Keep it hidden and out of sight within your house to make it difficult to locate.
Put your keys away from a window or door. Put them away in a drawer.
Don’t bury your keys beneath a rock near the door. Buying a fake drain cap or faucet head is less obvious.
Bottom line
It doesn’t have to be a pain to secure your property; in fact, it can be pleasurable, especially if you’re a first-time homeowner. Protecting your windows and doors, reaching out to neighbors, and developing a security policy that the entire family can support may all help. Spending a little more on a home security system is also a good idea. Whatever option you select, the peace of mind that comes with protecting your home and family will be well worth it.
