If you want to keep your home secure, you need to protect it and not just with an alarm system. All homeowners should pay attention to the top security essentials that protect their home and their family.
What protects your family? There isn’t just one piece to the puzzle – protecting your family means taking as many steps as you can to deter burglars and protect your home from outside threats.
Alarm with Sensors
Protecting your home with a monitored alarm gives you 24/7 protection. While it may or may not stop a burglar from entering your home, it will certainly deter them from moving any further if they trip the alarm.
For the best results, your alarm should:
- Have door and window sensors
- Include monitored heat and smoke detectors
- Use cellular monitoring to limit the risk of downed lines
Heavy Duty Doors and Locks
Your alarm alerts you if something is wrong, but making it hard for burglars to get into the home is important too.
Outfit your home with heavy-duty doors and locks. Don’t make it easy for burglars to gain entry to your home. Don’t forget about the windows, especially basement windows too. Consider window well covers and window sensors to alert you of any wrongdoing right away.
Make your Home Look Lived In
Make it look like someone is home all the time at your home, even if they aren’t. Put lights on timers, keep outside lights on, and keep drapes closed. If you park in the driveway, consider keeping a car out there so it’s not obvious when you are and aren’t home.
The key is to switch things up. Make it look as if you are always there so burglars move on without trying to hit your home.
Have a Plan
No one likes to think of someone entering their home, but it’s a risk we all take. Create a plan now when you can think straight. If something happens, you’ll already know what to do, or can at least pull up the plan (keep a copy on your phone) so you have an idea of what to do even when you can’t think straight during the crisis.
A Keen Eye
Always be aware of your surroundings. Know what goes on in your neighborhood – join a neighborhood watch group or even start a Facebook group with your community so you can all chat.
Knowing what’s going on helps you and those around you. If something happens to one house, not only can you help that family, but you can help other families avoid becoming a victim too. It’s important to always be aware of what’s going on, alerting others, and of course, notifying the authorities if something is amiss.
Keep your Home Safe
Keeping your home safe is a full-time job. Don’t let your guard down at any point. Know what’s happening around you, what changes you should make, and what threats you should be aware of. Have a plan to protect you and your family and review it often should changes be necessary.