It is common to find that most people find it more exciting to put up decorations in their new home than install security systems. However, keeping your home a haven where you can relax and feel secure requires little effort. Many people face the harsh reality of living with the constant fear of burglary and intrusion. It’s nearly hard to prevent burglars who are determined to break in unless you transform your house into a fortress. If you take measures to secure your home, you may greatly lessen the likelihood of an invasion and make your property a much more effective deterrent.
This article provides knowledge on how to improve home security, equipping you with everything you need to know to keep your home and family safe, from the most up-to-date security systems to the most basic but effective preventative measures. This manual suit homeowner of all experience levels, from those just moving in and wanting to lay a solid groundwork for security to those who want to beef up their current setup. Let’s get started on this mission to make your house a fortress and safeguard your most prized possessions.
How to Improve Home Security: Guidelines for Improving Home Security
Some tried-and-true methods that will help keep your home safe and secure are as follows:
- Strengthening Entry Points
Regarding house security, nothing is more important than fortifying the entrance points. The main objective is strengthening entryways like doors and windows, typically burglars’ first targets.
Begin by installing solid core doors or metal doors since they are much harder to break down. A further safeguard is provided by installing longer screws in the door frames, a security plate, or deadbolt locks of higher quality with a longer throw and a stronger strike plate. If you take these precautions, burglars will be much harder to kick through your doors or force them open.
Windows are another potential entrance point because they can be broken into. Shatterproof glass or window protection film makes it more difficult for would-be burglars to penetrate the glass and gain entrance to your property. Reinforcing the frames and using window locks can help deter break-ins by making it more difficult to pry open or remove the windows. Keyed window locks make it more difficult for burglars to break through windows that open in vertical or horizontal directions.
- Installing an Alarm System
When deciding how to improve home security, consider an alarm system, one of the most efficient and trustworthy ways to keep your family safe. Potential attackers will think twice about breaking into your home if they see that you have an alarm system installed. Stickers from a security firm or a sign in the yard convey the message that your home is guarded and monitored.
The ability to detect intruders is a major benefit offered by alarm systems. Any intrusion attempts are detected by sensors installed on entry points. A loud siren and, sometimes, flashing lights will go out as soon as the alarm system detects a break-in. The resulting noise will draw attention and warn off potential intruders reducing the likelihood of theft or property damage.
Alarm’s other major perk is the quick action they allow in the event of a security breach. Many homes and businesses use alarm systems linked to a 24-hour monitoring service that is immediately alerted whenever the alarm goes off. A response procedure is set into motion. When they get your report, they will contact you to confirm the details before calling emergency services.
In addition, state-of-the-art alarm systems provide convenient upgrades like remote access and management. Homeowners may remotely arm and disarm their security systems, receive instant alerts, and watch live footage from their surveillance cameras using a smartphone app or web portal. They can maintain a sense of control and awareness over their property’s security system even while they aren’t there.
- Enhancing Outdoor Security
Your home’s exterior is the first defense against burglars, so it’s important to give it some attention in your plan to implement tips to improve home security. Putting up a fence around the outside of your home can serve two purposes: marking its limits and preventing people from entering your yard uninvited.
Most people wouldn’t think of landscaping as a way to increase their home’s security, but it can successfully deter unwanted visitors. Maintaining a neat and well-kept lawn is one way to discourage prospective thieves and suggest someone is home.
Good landscaping practices also include placing prickly shrubs near entryways and windows. These bushes won’t just improve the aesthetic value of your property; they’ll also keep robbers from breaking any windows. However, too much of it makes your home attractive to criminals who can hide in it for as long as they like while breaking a window or door, unnoticed by neighbors, or passing cars. Make sure nothing is overgrown and that everything is in good condition.
- Install Security Cameras
The mere appearance of surveillance cameras is enough to discourage potential burglars. Realizing that their acts could be recorded on camera, robbers are less inclined to try a break-in when cameras are present. As a result, theft and unauthorized entry are less likely to occur.
In addition, security cameras allow you to keep watch over your property day and night. Because they record in real-time, you may keep a close eye on your home and any unusual activity from afar, even while you’re not there. It helps you spot potential security breaches and serves as valid proof in the event of an intrusion or another type of security breach. Police departments can use surveillance footage to help them catch criminals and build stronger cases against them.
These days, most surveillance cameras have motion-detecting features. As soon as they pick up on motion, they will notify you on your phone or in your inbox. If you receive an alert quickly, you can do something about it immediately, like call the police or do a remote assessment.
- Lock All Your Entrances
Closing and locking all doors is an effective deterrent when you think about how to improve home security. Any prospective burglar would see this and know they would be foolish to attempt to break in. It’s reassuring to see locked doors and windows, showing you care about keeping your home secure. The fact that it requires more time and effort to break in may deter potential burglars.
Also, securing all entrances limits who has access to your property, giving you more privacy. When you’re not at home or night, you need to be extra cautious; limiting who can enter increases security by keeping out criminals and other potential dangers to you and your family.
By keeping all doors locked, you may stop opportunistic burglaries from happening. Unsecured doors and windows are an invitation to burglars, who are always on the lookout for easy prey. It stresses the significance of safety measures and encourages people to take preventative measures.
- Ensure Your Home Has Proper Lighting
Bright outside lighting deters prospective thieves by creating an impression that someone is always watching. Intruders are more likely to be spotted by you, your neighbors, and passersby if the area is well-lit.
Aside from serving as a deterrent, well-lit areas around the house enhance visibility, making it easier to avoid trips and falls. Having well-lit entryways is also an additional tip on how to improve home security. By shining light on entrance points and storage sheds, you may more easily spot any evidence of tampering or break-in attempts.
The lights will turn on when motion is detected, providing an extra safety measure. This unexpected flash of light catches intruders off guard and raises suspicion, increasing the odds that they will be apprehended or forced to flee. Motion sensor lights are efficient because they only turn on when they detect motion.
Recent technological developments have enabled the monitoring and management of domestic lighting installations remotely. You may control the lighting remotely and set schedules to make it appear like someone is home while you are away. With this added protection, you can rest easy whether you’re away from home.
- Lock Down Your Wi-Fi Network
Protect your private data, connected devices, and wireless network from prying eyes by securing your Wi-Fi network. By using a complex password, you can ensure that only authorized users can access your network. This eliminates the possibility of unauthorized users accessing your private network and jeopardizing your data by restricting internet access to only your authorized devices.
You can be assured that your private data and information will be safe when password-protecting your Wi-Fi network. If your Wi-Fi isn’t secure, hackers or even nosy neighbors could potentially steal sensitive information as it travels from your devices to the internet. Network encryption using standards like WPA2 and WPA3 creates an impenetrable tunnel for data transfer, making it much harder for outside parties to access and misuse private data.
Furthermore, restricting access to your wireless network can lessen the likelihood of bandwidth theft. When people connect to your open Wi-Fi, they use up your available bandwidth, which could limit the speed at which you can do things online. Take the time to lock down your network. You can rest assured that only authorized devices access your internet, resulting in faster and more reliable connectivity for you and your loved ones.
- Use Home Automation
The ability to monitor, regulate, and respond to potential threats in and around your house is greatly enhanced by the integration of cutting-edge technologies made possible by home automation systems. Here is how this is possible with the usage of home automation:
- Security cameras, motion detectors, and other linked devices can all be monitored remotely with the help of a home automation system using either a smartphone app or a web-based platform. Because of this, you can watch your house in real-time from anywhere you have internet access.
- Automated smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your door anywhere without a key. You can improve security by granting temporary access to trustworthy individuals and receiving alerts whenever they enter or exit the protected area.
- Integrating a video doorbell into your home automation system gives you a convenient way to keep tabs on who’s knocking on your door without having to answer it physically. With this setup, you can check out who’s at your door and talk to them before letting them in, giving you peace of mind.
- Technology’s ability to be seamlessly integrated has led to proactive surveillance, improved access control, and quicker responses to possible threats. When you automate your house, you can rest certain that it is safe and being watched over even when you aren’t there.
- Safely Store Spare Keys
Keeping your house keys in a hidden and safe spot is an important tip for improving home security since it makes it more difficult for intruders to enter your property. Obvious hiding places, such as potted plants, artificial rocks, and under-door mats, must be avoided at all costs. Keep spare keys in a secure location, such as a key box, a locked drawer or cabinet, or with a reliable friend or family member.
Storing keys securely also helps you manage who has access to your property. Limiting key distribution to close associates, family members, and vetted service providers can help secure your home. As an added security measure, you can restrict access to specific areas by utilizing various keys for the front, back, and garage doors. You can better understand who has access to your home and see any discrepancies or possible violations of security if you label and organize your keys and keep track of how they are distributed.
Key loss is a security concern that can be mitigated with this method. Your home is at risk of being broken into or robbed if a stray set of keys enters the wrong hands. You can restrict entry into your home and reduce the likelihood of keys being lost if you have a reliable and safe system for keeping them.
- Keep Valuables Out of Sight
Keeping valuables out of plain sight makes for a less inviting target for potential thieves and better overall security for your home. Thieves are encouraged to break in and take high-value objects like jewelry, electronics, or valuable artwork when they can see the items via windows or doors. Thieves will be less likely to target your property if you remove this incentive by closing curtains, blinds, or shades and moving furniture to block windows through which valuables could be seen.
Valuables are less likely to be stolen if hidden from plain sight, which can be helpful if there is a break-in. Having assets hidden makes it more difficult for a thief to steal them, even if they get entry into your home. This can buy you precious time to call the police or activate your home surveillance system, improving your odds of catching burglars and retrieving your valuables.
- Build a Strong Neighborhood Network
The likelihood of identifying and stopping illegal actions or threats increases dramatically when neighbors watch for one another. Residents can stay informed about suspicious activities and individuals in the region by developing a reliable communication and sharing network. This heightened alertness aids in discouraging offenders and decreasing the likelihood of offenses like theft, trespassing, and vandalism.
Implementing safety measures as a community is easier when there is a solid network of neighbors to collaborate with. Establishing neighborhood watch programs, disseminating knowledge on reliable security systems, and exchanging pointers on how to keep one’s own home safe are all things that can be accomplished when neighbors band together. The community can learn how to improve home security for all its members by sharing its resources and expertise to raise the bar.
An active and apparent community network can discourage crime. Burglars are less likely to attack a community’s properties if they know its residents take safety precautions seriously and actively participate in those countermeasures. Crime is more common in locations with low levels of community involvement and surveillance; thus, a strong neighborhood network helps deter criminal behavior and keep residents safe.
Importance of Home Security
Do you think installing a security system in your house is a good investment? The value of having a safe and secure place is hard to overestimate. Learning how to improve home security is crucial and may help you get your money’s worth.
- Safeguards Against Intruders
Having a security system in place is essential because it helps deter potential intruders from entering your house, which is the major concern of any homeowner. Without a security system, a home has a 2.7 times higher likelihood of being broken into. This provides further evidence in favor of the theory that installing an alarm system in a house is sufficient for its protection. Whether they know it or not, burglars sometimes strike when family members are at home.
Intruders who break in expecting an empty house often react violently upon seeing family members still present. Installing a safety system is an excellent first step to improving home security and preventing such incidents. With an active alarm, everyone in the house will have plenty of time to evacuate to a safe area, whether that’s another room or the outside. In addition, having an alarm sound alerts the proper authorities.
- Guarantees You and Your Family Peace
Installing a home security system gives you a sense of security and peace of mind. You can relax knowing that your house is safe from many potential threats. This assurance is invaluable, especially for the elderly, disabled, or frequently home-alone households.
Safety measures are a lifesaver for older people, who may be reluctant to evacuate their homes quickly enough in an emergency. A home safety system can contact the appropriate authorities and request assistance in various scenarios. It keeps tabs on the entire dwelling and calls the police if any suspicious activity is detected. Wearable medical alert pendants are a common addition to how to boost home security. In a medical emergency, these gadgets can be used to summon assistance.
Home alarm systems are an excellent investment if you frequently leave your loved ones at home alone. Whether it is your kids or the spouses of military personnel, whatever your current circumstances, installing a home security system will give you and your family a greater sense of peace.
- Safeguards Your Precious Possessions
You are likely to buy and acquire things that have some form of personal significance. Whether they are expensive investments or priceless heirlooms, the possessions you value most are symbols of who you are and what you have accomplished. In contrast, robbers couldn’t care less about your sentiments when they break into your home and steal your valuables. Instead, they think about how much money they can make by selling the stolen goods. In the United States, approximately 2.5 million burglaries occur annually. The total damage caused by these break-ins is estimated at $3.1 billion, with the typical homeowner losing about $1,700.
Most people who own homes find that installing a safety system is enough to prevent break-ins. When that isn’t the case, though, it performs a supplementary role. Most modern surveillance cameras can record the burglars in the act, further boosting the likelihood that they will be apprehended. When witnesses can see them in action, the chances of successfully identifying the intruder in a home invasion rise. Furthermore, camera footage aids homeowners in creating a record of the items stolen during a burglary.
- Reduces Homeowners Insurance Rate
In most cases, buying a home also means purchasing homeowners insurance. The setting, coverage, payment plans, insurance provider, and home type are just a few of the variables that might affect the final price of this sort of insurance. Homeowners insurance may seem unnecessary to some, but anyone who has ever relied on it will tell you otherwise.
A variety of catastrophic occurrences might cause losses and damages. Most natural disasters, including fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, are covered by homeowners’ insurance. Flood coverage is typically not included in standard homeowners insurance policies due to the increased frequency of floods. Homeowners insurance is an expense that most first-time buyers fail to factor in.
In most cases, homeowners who have invested in a home safety system will see a reduction in their insurance premiums. Each insurance provider and policy has guidelines regarding how much discount can be expected for installing a safety system in a home. For example, a system tracked by a central tracking station should offer a greater value than one not followed. A home security system that is both monitored and fully operational can reduce homeowners’ insurance premiums by 10-20%.
- Safeguards Your House & Family from Fires
In most people’s minds, house invasion is immediately conjured up at the mere mention of home security systems. Still, homeowners have another layer of defense available to them in the form of home security systems. Smoke detectors are installed in the majority of homes for early fire detection. However, a home security system can act as a preliminary alert in an emergency. Not only do these automatic systems alert the authorities, but they also alert residents to the impending danger.
A controlled home surveillance system not only sounds an alarm if it detects smoke but also gives residents plenty of advance notice if an abnormally high amount of heat is generated anywhere in the house and alerts the proper authorities. However, smoke isn’t the sole indicator of a potential fire. In addition to smoke and flames, heat alone can signal the existence of an impending fire. For this reason, heat sensors should be part of every fire safety setup and be included as a tip on how to improve home security. Without a full-fledged security system, you may still protect your house with the help of heat detectors. However, if you cannot contact the proper authorities, these supplemental choices will not be available.
- Ensures You Remotely Monitor Your House
One main advantage of establishing a home safety system is that homeowners can keep an eye on things even when they’re not there. Many modern home alarm systems allow users to remotely monitor their property via a computer or mobile device connected to the internet.
With this setup, you can check in on your house through the security cameras and even arm and disarm the security system from afar. Additionally, customers can control their home’s temperature (heating and cooling) and security (motion detectors). In addition to keeping an eye out for intruders, these features also keep the house secure while the owners are away.
If you want to make it look like someone is home when no one is there, remote lighting control can help. When temperatures outside suddenly fluctuate, turning on the heater or air conditioner might help make the house more comfortable. In addition to lowering your electric or gas expense, this will keep your pipes from bursting. A nominal charge may be involved, but remote access allows homeowners to maintain control of their homes while away.
- Professionally Monitor Your Home
With a professionally monitored system, you can rest easy knowing that your home is being watched over, day and night, even if you can’t be there to do it yourself. Feeling anxious before a trip or any extended absence from home is normal. Even with a security system, this is still the case. However, when you have monitoring services, you can rest assured that help will be available whenever needed.
These services don’t replace the need for regular housekeeping, but they do monitor critical situations and call for help if necessary. Home security systems are equipped to respond in the event of a fire, carbon monoxide leak, dangerously low or high temperatures, intrusion, or natural disaster like a flood. The devastation caused by such unfortunate incidents might be considerably worse if a monitoring service wasn’t keeping a close eye on things.
Conclusion
Making your home safe doesn’t have to be difficult. Prioritize the most important tactics and figure out how to incorporate the rest. The best method to protect your home and family against intruders is to be vigilant and take preventative measures as soon as you become aware of a problem.
In addition, everyone in the house must have a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding regarding how to improve home security. Ensure everyone, including children, older people, and people with disabilities, is aware of and prepared to follow established safety procedures in an emergency such as earthquake.
The tips discussed in the above article should enable you to build a strong and complete security system to ensure you make a haven for yourself and your family.