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Security plays a vital role when choosing a new home or doing renovations. You protect your family, guests and possessions from harm when you consider safety precautions early in the process.
However, you need to find the right way to maximize your peace of mind. Here are several tips to help you consider what is best for your home.
Take a look at the possible risk factors in your home and surrounding neighbourhood before analysing possible security measures.
Violent crimes rose by 19% in 2018, so it is important to check the rates of home invasion, burglary and theft where you plan to live. Your house’s security will be a powerful asset in deterring these kinds of acts.
How your house is designed will also help make it safer. Conduct a home security assessment to determine your residence’s strengths and weaknesses. This involves asking questions such as:
What can people see when they look through my windows?
Are there any places burglars could use to hide?
Can I see who is approaching my home?
Are the entry points vulnerable?
If you think about these things before moving into or renovating your house, you’ll be starting strong.
Your lawn is the first thing a burglar will see when choosing whether or not to break into your home. Creating an environment that looks hard to intrude on will dissuade criminals from trying to breach it.
You can use plant design to impede intruders. Many different plants can help secure your home, whether you create a garden or plant prickly hedges under your windows. Take care to keep these trimmed to increase your line of sight.
Think about including a fence in your garden, but make sure any walkways or bushes on the other side are visible. This will avoid creating hiding spots and allow you to see if anyone may be lurking outside. Additionally, including motion-sensitive lights in hard-to-see areas will make it easier for you to know where potential intruders are.
Entry through the windows of a house is one of the most common methods of break-ins. Find sturdy windows that are hard to break when renovating your residence. Ensure they include locks and are always sealed when no one is home.
Think about how you will prevent people from looking through your windows. Windows on a lower level benefit from thicker curtains that still allow some light to come through. You can also install window films. Ones that are higher up should also have curtains to stop potential thieves from seeing into your home.
Heavy-duty doors will prevent a majority of home invasions. Ensure they are made of sturdy materials that will not need replacing for a long time. Doors are the other most common way a criminal will break in, so buying front and back doors that are made to last and have strong locks will keep you and your family safe.
Glass doors are a security risk, as they can be easily smashed. Even doors with small windows can be dangerous. Intruders could break these windows and use them to access the deadbolt. The safest doors are made of metal, heavy woods or synthetics with no glass features.
Ensure you are locking doors and windows when you leave the house. A large percentage of burglars will enter through an unlocked entry point. Establish a rule that everyone in your home secures windows after closing them and locks the doors when they come in or leave.
Proper lighting can do a lot to keep your house safe.
Motion-triggered exterior lights are very useful for discouraging break-ins. Place them in areas that will properly illuminate the site so you can see exactly what triggered them. Also, purchase bulbs that are bright enough to light up the space but don’t disturb you or your neighbours. Install a light outside your front door to heighten visibility when entering your home.
Interior lights will signal to onlookers that someone is inside. If you’re out of the house for an extended period, a highly recommended tip is to buy plug-in timers that switch your lights on and off. These won’t affect ceiling-installed lights, but having a few for your plug-ins will make it appear as though someone is home.
Security alarms are the best way to prevent a home invasion. Think about if you will install a security system during renovations or if you need to leave space for one later. Research what’s offered and check reviews to see if the technology is reliable.
Additionally, place the provided sign outside when installing a home security system. This could dissuade would-be thieves from targeting your house. After all, the goal is an easy target.
Exterior and interior elements can maximize your home’s security. Protect your family, any visitors and your valuables with a safety-inspired design. Following these tips can make your home safer and increase your chances of hindering a burglar.
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