The best way to protect your home is by installing a state of the art security system that makes you aware of everything going on in and outside of your home. However, there are some simple measures outside of a security system that can help protect your home from potential break-ins.
Here is a list of some tips that will help protect your home:
Create the illusion that someone is at your house.
If you plan to be away from your home for an expended period of time, leave a TV or stereo on in a room near the front door or other entry points. Also, use exterior lighting and motion detectors to minimize places where a burglar could easily hide.
Make sure all exterior doors have reliable locks.
You can install 1-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors and lock all doors before leaving your home or going to bed.
You can also use optional home security equipment like smart locks to lock and unlock doors remotely as well.
Always look before opening the door.
If you get an unexpected knock at the door, always check to see who it is before opening the door. You can also keep your home security system’s keyfob handy when there is a stranger at the door. You can call for immediate help by pressing the panic button.
Don’t leave spare keys in obvious locations.
Don’t leave extra keys under doormats, potted plants or any other outdoor location. Thieves know to look in these obvious locations in order to gain easy entry into a residence.
Instead, give a spare key to a neighbor that you trust or a family member or friend that lives close by.
Secure your sliding glass doors.
You can secure your sliding glass doors by setting a pipe or metal bar in the middle bottom track on the door slide. Make sure that the pipe is the same length as the track.
You can also use optional home security equipment, such as a glass break detector to alert you if the glass door or window was shattered.
Keep drapes and blinds shut.
Don’t allow intruders or even neighbors see inside your home, especially rooms where there is expensive equipment.
Drapes and blinds obscure a potential intruder’s view, making it difficult to see which rooms have high value items or even if someone is or isn’t inside the home.
Store cash, jewelry and other valuables in a safe or safety deposit box.
Keep your valuables secured in a safe or safety deposit box at a bank, when they are not in use. In addition, arm your home security system every time you leave your home.
Don’t leave notes on the door for others when you’re not there.
Leaving notes for service people or family members alerts potential burglars that you may not be home. Instead, check in on your home using your Alarm.com App. You can even unlock your door for service people with a smart door lock or view who is at your front door with a doorbell camera.
Have a neighbor collect your mail while you are away.
Never leave candles or other open flames burning unattended.
To truly protect your home, you’ll need to know how to protect it against other threats like fires that can put your family and your home at risk. There should always be an adult present when candles or any open flame is in use.
Also, be sure to teach young children about the dangers of playing with fire including matches and lighters.
Clear and dispose of dry or dead vegetation
Be sure to clean up and properly dispose of yard waste and other dry or dead vegetation that may present a fire risk. Keeping your yard clear of the yard waste is especially important during hot or dry months to help you protect your home and surrounding areas from fire.
Use fire resistant building materials for your home
When buying, building or renovating your home, make sure you use fire resistant materials on your home. Pay special attention to roofing and siding materials which wrap your entire home. There are many affordable options that are fire resistant. Be sure to do your homework to choose materials that will truly protect your home.
Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before throwing away
Don’t throw cigarette or cigar butts directly into the trash. These can ignite a fire. Instead, make sure these are completely put out with water before tossing them in the trash.
Never leave the stove or other fire dangers unattended
Don’t leave hot irons, burning stove tops, or outdoor grills unattended while in use. Leaving a hot surface unattended for even a minute can increase your risk of starting a fire dramatically. Be sure to double-check that you’ve turned off all appliances after use. Having added protection like carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and heat sensors can also help protect your home from a fire as well.
