This post was originally published on October 9, 2020, and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Home security doesn’t have to break the bank. Home maintenance and subtle changes to your day-to-day activities can go a long way in protecting your home.
If you are wondering to yourself, “how to make my home safer?” Here are five inexpensive ways to do it:
Lock Down All of Your Windows and Doors
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, 34% of burglars enter through the first floor, 23% enter through the first-floor window, and 22% enter through the back door.
One of the best ways to protect your home is by securing common entry points for burglars. Here’s what you should do to protect your home:
- Always lock your doors and windows, and use deadbolts when possible.
- Never hide spare keys around your home, particularly in common areas, such as under a mat, potted plant, or fake rock. Instead, give it to a trusted neighbor.
- Fix or replace doors and windows that show signs of wear and tear or decline.
- Close and lock your garage door when not in use.
- Don’t use a window AC unit, especially on the first floor of your home.
- Install a basic security system to contact 911 during an emergency.
Maintain Your Home’s Appearance
An unkempt yard can be a clear indicator to burglars that you’re not home or that you’re less attentive to your property. To combat this issue and provide additional deterrents, consider the following:
- Trim bushes and shrubs, especially by windows and doors
- Trim tree branches, particularly those burglars could climb to get to your home
- Use thorny bushes to deter burglars
- Use gravel which is loud when walked over
When going out of town, you want to give off the illusion that someone is home. To do this, you should:
- Stop your mail and newspaper delivery
- Ask a neighbor to cut grass, shovel snow, etc.
- Leave a car parked in the driveway
Keep Your Property Well-Lit at Night and While Away
A well-lit yard can deter mischief on your property. People are far less likely to cause harm if there is a greater chance of being seen. Light can also trick others into thinking you’re home when you’re not.
- Ensure lampposts and other outside lights work properly.
- Consider motion sensor lights for areas close to your home, such as your front porch, back patio, garage, etc.
- When away, use smart home automation to time indoor lights to turn on and off or leave some lights on, so it looks like you’re home.
Avoid Advertising Wealth
One thing that will grab a robber’s attention right away is something expensive that they could easily steal. Robbers are far more likely to break into a house if they believe there is a reward for doing it. To make your home less attractive to robbers, you should:
- Remove any expensive items away from windows so they are not easily visible by people passing by.
- Break down boxes for more expensive items and put them in the garbage to avoid advertising your belongings.
- Use blinds or curtains to block people from viewing in your home.
Practice Smart Fire Safety
House fires are a security issue that should never be taken lightly. There are nearly 380,000 residential fires every year. Common areas where residential fires start include the kitchen, living room, and outside areas.
Don’t let your house become another statistic. Protect it by following these fire prevention tips
- Always have at least one fire extinguisher in your home, particularly in your kitchen and by your grill.
- Have fire and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.
- Remove lint from your dryer before each load of laundry.
- Keep flammable materials away from heat sources like candles, space heaters, or fireplaces.
Want to learn more ways on how to make my home safer? Contact an ADS Security expert today!
Categories: Safety Tips, Security