There is a basic human need for safety at all times, especially in our homes. It is a personal sanctuary. A place where we sleep, eat, relax and unwind, or even work. And for the past two years, we have been spending more time at our homes than ever before. So, the safety and security of our home are of paramount importance.
However, the problem may arise when we are confronted with endless possibilities in-home safety measures and even high-end security systems and many many options they offer. How to choose?
There is no need to worry! To help you narrow the options and make a choice most suited for your home, here are the five most important things you need to consider when securing your home.
Know your neighbours.
Whether you live in a house or an apartment, establishing a good relationship with your neighbors can be an amazingly effective security system. Not only might you end up meeting some great people, but it is also an excellent opportunity to establish a community that takes care of one another.
It is undoubtedly beneficial for all parties involved. Creating a community system can provide a healthy, safe, and sheltered environment for you and your family.
Both you and your neighbors can keep an eye out for any suspicious activities, and by doing so, protect each other from a potentially dangerous situation.
Some neighborhoods even have a highly-organized neighborhood watch. It is a proven strategy that reduces crime rates in the area. Everyone can have a specific role or take turns following a previously determined schedule.
Working together and being involved with what is happening in the community makes running a neighborhood watch that operates smoothly and keeps every member safe.
Keep up the appearance
A well-groomed home with a sound lighting system is more likely to be a deterrent factor to a burglar. An adequately lit outdoor (and indoor) area and trimmed hedges eliminate dark and concealed places that can be perfect hiding spots for trespassers. So installing a motion sensor lighting system and maintaining your outdoor area is an efficient and affordable option to keep anyone lurking around at bay.
An unkept home is at a more significant risk of becoming a target of an intruder. There are many places for them to hide and scope out the property, but it also leaves an impression that the house is often empty. This can be a proper invitation for a burglar.
Additional note: Make plans when traveling and leaving your home unattended. A vacant home is a typical mark for intruders.
One way to prevent this is having someone come over, pick up the mail, maintain the property, and maybe even spend some time in the house. A good relationship with your neighbors can especially come in handy in this situation.
Think about easy access points.
Pay special attention to different entrances such as doors, windows, garage doors, etc. Those are the parts of your house that are easily accessible, and for that reason, additional security measures need to be implemented. Even by just installing a high-security door and reinforcing the windows with locks, bars, or sensors, you will immensely increase the security of your home.
If you live in a house with a garage that is another entry point to keep in mind. The garage is particularly vulnerable because of the weakness of the doors. In this case, it would be wise to implement additional safety measures such as motion-activated lights and a system that automatically closes the garage doors.
This is quite an efficient way to secure your house, significantly if you cannot invest in a more expensive, all-bases-covered type of security system.
Simple alarms and cameras
There is a variety of security alarms and surveillance cameras on the market today. Many of them are relatively affordable and easy to install. And they can make a big difference when it comes to the safety of your home.
Just seeing a security camera can intimidate an intruder and discourage him from entering your home. And an alarm system is also a highly efficient method of protection. It alerts you (and your neighbors) of a potential threat and danger in the home. That way you can call the authorities as soon as possible. And in these situations, time is very often of the essence.
Pairing the camera up with an alarm system is a perfect combination. The benefits provided by these simple devices are plentiful, making them a wise investment of your money.
Install a high-end security system
in an intelligent home isn’t the thing of the future anymore. The future has arrived! There are security systems that are fully automated and can be operated remotely by your smartphone.
This automated all-around system will surely take care of all your safety concerns. But it does come with a price. This price can vary significantly depending on the features you choose.
If you can afford to invest in this system, it truly is a great option. These systems offer smoke and carbon monoxide detection devices, cameras, motion sensors, and even around-the-clock monitoring.
Having your home monitored at all times protects you from pretty much all dangers that can occur in your home (and around the perimeter). Security operators that monitor your home are there to inform the authorities of any suspicious activities. That means that an emergency service will be dispatched to your home in record time.
Fully automated security systems like these are, of course, beneficial for every type of home, but especially for those residents who live alone. If you are, for some reason, unable to react, you can rest assured that the monitoring service will do that for you.
In conclusion
As you can see, there are many different ways to make your home, your family, and yourself safer. And we all know just how important it is to feel and to be secure in your own house.
However you decide to approach this, the choice is up to you. One thing is sure, and now you have the right tips and suggestions to help you make that decision.