Homes are built to be our shelter. So naturally, they should protect us from the elements, dangers, and other risks. But that’s often not the case. It’s your job as the homeowner to ensure the security of your household. A home can only do so much, but you can do much more. By seeing your home as a foundation, you can begin to implement a variety of safety features as building blocks to make it whole. In this article, we will discuss advanced home security practices and procedures.
So that you can better protect your loved ones, your valuables, and your dignity. Whenever you’re ready to start this journey in the realm of home security, keep reading.
Door Security
The easiest point of entry for any thief is a door, so you must ensure they are secure. A hollow door, which can be kicked through is not as sturdy as a solid door made of wood or metal.
You can secure your door via strike plates, deadbolts, or smart locks. If you have a mail slot, ensure that nobody can use it to unlock the door, whether by hand or with a tool.
It’s also a good idea to have some home security gadgets, like a camera that focuses on the most common points of entry.
A great chunk of burglars break through the front door; it’s usually their first attempt. To start improving your front door security, consider a peephole so that you can see unexpected visitors. It’s also more secure than a glass window by all means.
Even though most people think burglars use lock picks to enter through the door, they usually use brute force instead. Thus, you must reinforce the front with a door jamb replacement kit and a reinforcement plate. These are easily DIY.
Burglars also love getting through sliding doors, because they are quite easily opened due to the flimsy latches. With a simple kick to the bottom of a slider, a burglar can get enough leverage to break open the door. Keep your sliding doors safe with a security bar at the interior floor track.
You can also use a foot lock or floor bolt for additional security. Let’s continue with our advanced home security advice.
Window Security
Thieves are always looking for windows of opportunity, but your actual windows are another simple way to get access for burglars. First and foremost, you have to make sure that the windows are locked.
Start by making a habit of locking the windows each time that you leave and before you go to sleep. But a locked window is not always enough, window latches are quite weak, and they don’t hold up against blunt damage.
You can also install window pin locks to keep windows slightly open but secured. Advanced models are capable of even more. Installing window sensors that make a sound when it’s broken is a good idea too.
Plant thorny and prickly bushes beneath first-story windows for some extra physical support. Put up curtains over garage windows and basement windows. This will hide your valuables and provided privacy.
If you’re looking for even more safety, you can install security glass. This works well with small windows that are no opened often.
Garage Safety
The garage is another common entry point for thieves because of the door weakness. It’s quite easy for the latch to be shimmied open and the door punched or kicked in.
If you have an attached garage and the door is unlocked to the home, you’re making it that much easier to enter. Make sure that you keep the garage door closed, the latches locked and the home door secure.
You can use an automation system to ensure the garage door is always closed after it’s no longer in use. If you’re going on vacation, completely unplug the opener.
Even better, you can lock the door itself so it cannot be lifted whatsoever. For a simple way to do this, drill a hole in the track above the roller, and make use of a heavy-duty padlock.
Wi-Fi Security
It’s easy to not secure your Wi-Fi, especially if you think a password is enough. But you can always take a couple of steps to ensure your internet access is as safe as your physical one.
This is even more important if your home is a smart one, meaning it relies on the internet and phone.
Start by finding a good firewall. After this, chance the home network name to something irrelevant and create a very complex password.
You should also ensure that you have proper anti-virus protection. Also, for added security, enable WPA2 on your remote connection.
Common Targets
Some common targets for burglary are mailboxes, AC, cars, and sheds. But with a bit of diligent thought, you can prevent the most advanced criminals from doing their deeds.
For air conditioners, use corner braces and sliding window locks to keep them from stealing your units.
If you’re worried about mail theft, get a security mailbox. It’s also a good idea to have it mounted to the wall, and not placed in your yard.
A determined thief will remove the screws from the door to the shed. But with tamper-proof screws, you can prevent this from happening.
Thieves love to get into cars. So first, always park in the garage, if you have one. If you don’t, park in a well-lit location. Don’t leave valuables in sight, or even inside.
Roll up all the windows and lock your car. Place a steering block to prevent them from driving away. Buy non-removable tire caps, and take out the radio if it’s not integrated.
Yard Care
Even though you might not know it, bad landscaping isn’t just bad for aesthetics; it’s also great for potential criminals. Dense trees, burnt out lighting, thick shrubs help them cover in the midst of the night.
Placing lights all over, especially in dark spots, will make criminals think twice. Light both the back and front yards. You can use infrared motion automated lights, which are great, especially if you’re not home.
Build a gate and fence if you like. Chain link fences are not great for privacy, but they are harder to climb than a solid fence. You can purchase a padlock to keep a fence or gate locked.
Ask your neighborhood association if they can add more lighting to the streets to the benefit of the local community.
New Locks
If you’re only moving into the home, you must replace the locks. Previous owners and their friends, family, and previous laborers might have copies of the keys.
If you’re renting, you can ask if the landlord already changed the locks. While you’re at it, replace all bad quality locks with those that can withstand kicking or picking.
Advanced Home Security System
Once you have instilled the best practices, it’s time for a good security system. The best ones are easy to install and don’t cost too much. You can pair them with a camera setup, whether or not they are part of it.
Cameras with mobile apps are even better because you can access your footage from anywhere with an internet connection. Wireless systems are also available to prevent hard-line problems.
Neighbors Matter
You should always get to know your neighbors. Not only can you make friends, but you can also help each other out if someone notices something suspicious. If you’re going on vacation, you can trade turns watching the household.
Also, if you know everyone in the neighborhood, it’s easier for you to notice someone who does not fit in. To help reduce the crime in your neighborhood, set up a neighborhood watch program. You can even have a local police officer to inform you about the best practices at your meetings.
A street with abandoned homes and litter is the same for criminals, as a light for flies. If your area has an issue, suggest cleaning it up. Your community will be safer and a better place to live, so everyone wins.
Critical Planning
If you have a family, it’s a good idea to develop a plan to make sure everyone is following best practices. It’s a good idea to have everyone following a set-out routine. If you’re looking to have fun, you can even stage a mock situation, where someone is the thief and scouts for vulnerabilities.
A good plan should at least cover not letting strangers in, locking the windows and doors at night and when leaving, ensuring everyone knows how the security system works.
But you can get as creative or as detailed as you like.
Door Scams
It’s also common for cat thieves to pose as a worker or a salesperson. The scheme makes it easy to scout a home for valuables, or even snatch some stuff while there.
Sometimes there might be several of them working together; one will distract the people inside by discussing services, while the other steals your items.
Be careful with who you let in.
Key Hiding
If you need to hide keys, don’t hide them in your mailbox or under your doormat. And don’t buy a fake rock, either. You should leave your keys with someone you trust, like a neighbor.
If you live far from the next home and you don’t trust your neighbors, buy a heavy-duty combination lockbox, just make sure it’s also hidden and not in front of the door.
You can put an extra garage clicker in there too. Don’t keep yours in the car if parking outside. Keep it in the home and out of sight.
Also, don’t place your keys in view of a door or windows. Keep them concealed in drawers when in your home.
Keep Thieves Away
When you’re not home, you have to be more careful. It takes a little preparation to ensure your home is ready. This way, you only need to worry about your vacation and not your home safety.
First, don’t broadcast your trip on social until you return. The whole world can see your posts, and somebody might be actively stalking your profiles for intel.
If you’re friendly with the neighbors, let them know that you will be gone and have them be a tad bit more watchful.
Make use of timed lights that go off at specific intervals, so it seems that the house is lived in.
And keep all of your valuables locked away and hidden from peering eyes.
Get A Safe
It might feel odd at first, but a safe is a cheap way to keep your valuables safe. These might include important documents, jewelry, and other information.
You can choose a portable safe or a bolted one to the floor or door. But remember that a thief can take a portable safe, so it’s best to have something clunky and heavy.
Ensure the safe is fireproof and waterproof. You can pay extra to get fingerprint locking systems as well. Try to get a safe with two locks on it at least. These are called redundant locks.
Also, write down all of the important document numbers (driver’s license number) and stash them away in the safe. If possible, add your number and name to your valuables so they can be identified when stolen.
If the safe has a code system, you can give it to a family member or trusted friend in case an emergency occurs.
Security Services for You
Now that you have uncovered the best advanced home security procedures and practices, you are well on your way to ensure that your valuables and loved ones are free from harm’s way.
However, it can be quite daunting to take all of these tasks upon yourself. That’s why you need help to make things easier.
If you’re interested in working with a trusted leader in home security, get in touch with us, and we will happily accommodate your safety needs.
