Feel Real Peace Of Mind With These Home Security Improvements

Whether you’re moving into a new home, have had some troubling events happen in the past, or simply want to ensure you are as vigilant as you can be, security is a home improvement well worth investing in. But what are the different security options available and how do they make your home safer, if they even do as much? Here, we’re going to look at a host of home security improvements and whether they’re worth implementing in your home.

Be sure to change those locks

This is a tip that is primarily suited for those who first move into a new home. Even if the previous owner assures you that no-one else has the keys but you, it’s simply never worth taking this on face value. Instead, get in touch with a local locksmith who can quickie and easily help you put in place a new lock and cut you a new set of keys. Consider all the doors that need locks, including the front and back doors separately, as well as any sheds or outbuildings that you need to consider as well. You can only rest assured that you have all the working keys when you have seen each individual copy being made, yourself.

Stronger locks make a big difference

If you’re changing the locks, then it is likely you will have the option to replace the old ones with a type that are roughly equivalent. However, if you’re already investing in new longs to cut new keys, then you should consider making the investment even more worth it by choosing locks that are especially effective at keeping the home safe and secure. Some of the best door locks will have multiple locking mechanisms, such as both a deadbolt and a heavy-duty strike plate. As such, these can prevent the locks from being tampered with or being opened by brute force alone. It’s worth bearing in mind that with enough time and force, just about any door or lock can be open, but the point of choosing a more secure option is to make the lock take more time to open than is worth it.

Secure the doors and the windows

It might be a bigger investment than simply changing the locks, but if your home has very old doors or windows that seem like they wouldn’t take too much force to get open, then it might be time to consider replacing them. Some signs that it’s time to replace your door can include when there are cracks appearing, when you can feel drafts coming through, or when it doesn’t seem to open and shut as smoothly or gets jammed. Older windows and doors generally have less security than newer doors, even without wear and tear to consider.

Visibility is the key

One of the strongest factors in defending your home is not only being able to secure it, but also being able to deter others from trying to break in. One of the greatest deterrence factors is how likely someone is to get spotted while making their entry. While privacy on your property is also a factor to consider, it should be balanced with how visible any would-be intruders would be. Aside from using fencing and landscaping that keeps the entryways of the home at least somewhat visible, you can also look at using outdoor lighting fixtures that draw particular attention to the windows and the doors. As such, would-be criminals might think to look elsewhere that isn’t as conspicuous.

Keep an eye out

One of the most technologically complex aspects of home security, and also something of a major investment, CCTV does remain one of the most effective ways to secure the home. First of all, having a visible CCTV system or indicators of a CCTV system outside the home can serve as a deterrent just as effectively as exterior lighting. However, there is also the practical fact that video security systems can also help you see if someone has attempted to breach the home or otherwise been acting suspiciously in the area. Many modern video security systems are smartly activated, such as only recording when there is motion in their range of activity, or they might connect to smart devices.

Staying alert

Often incorporated alongside CCTV, home security alarm systems have a very simple purpose. The user activates them, often by setting code or otherwise verifying their identity. This activates motion sensors that are placed around the property, usually at the points of entry and walkways in the home. If someone trips the motion sensor, it activates an alarm. Different security alarm systems work in different ways. Some will simply provide a loud, piercing noise to alert anyone in the area. However, many of them are monitored by a service provider that can then call either you or the police. Others skip that step and either alert you on a digital device immediately, call the police, or do both at once. Either way, they are effective methods of securing the home.

Keep your valuables secured

Aside from protecting the home itself, you should also think about what you do to protect the things of value that you have inside it. When it comes to any cash, jewelry, or the like, then the most widely used method of protection is having a home safe. A home safe should be big enough to secure everything you need, and heavy enough that it isn’t easy to simply transport the whole thing out of the home. You can also have it recessed or installed into a floor or wall to secure its place even further. There are also anti-theft kits and devices that you might think to attach to your most valuable tech, such as your PC or your television.

Make your security smart

This is not a single solution or piece of technology that can make the home smarter. Rather, many different parts of the home’s security appliances, such as the locks, CCTV, burglar alarms, and even lights can all be connected to a smart home hub, which can then allow you to control and access them remotely from a smart device such as a phone. This way you could, for instance, check your CCTV footage live or recorded through your smartphone. You may also be able to do things like ensuring your doors are locked and to turn on the lights when you’re not home, creating the impression that someone is in there. Many of these features can be set to work automatically without your intervention, too.

Be sure to check that it’s working

This isn’t a piece of security technology you can implement or a way you can protect the home. Rather, if you have safety features in place, especially of the technological kind, then you should be sure to check them as part of a routine to make sure they work as they should. Try reviewing your footage from your video security system, test the burglar alarm, and make sure that all of your smart home hub features are working as intended, for instance. If you take that they work for granted, it can leave you vulnerable to the very unwelcome surprise of finding out they don’t through experience.

Most people are not going to find it necessary to invest in every single protective measure mentioned above. However, you need to consider how much inside your home is worth protecting, and consider making the investment worth of protecting that much value in the first place.