Your home is your sanctuary. It’s your safe haven – your personal space. Home is where you relax and make memories with the people you love. It’s where you feel most comfortable. However, did you know that there were nearly 15,000 burglaries this year right here in Western Australia? You need to make sure your home is always secure.
Whether you’re leaving for a vacation or simply going to bed at night, implementing the right home security measures can give you peace of mind and protect your home from potential intruders. In this article, we’re going to give you the top home security tips and tricks you can use to safeguard your home and loved ones against any harm.
Importance of Home Security
Home security can be one of those things we tend to take for granted. If you don’t live in a community prone to robberies or break-ins, it’s easy to assume it will never happen to you. However, burglars can strike anytime and anywhere.
The first and most important reason you need a plan for home security is to protect your own personal safety and the safety of your loved ones. A common-sense approach to home security is your first and best line of defence.
Secondly, home security is the best way to safeguard your valuable possessions. Even if they are insured, most claims processes are a hassle, and some items are simply irreplaceable.
Thirdly, the psychological impact of a secure home environment is a major benefit. Knowing your home is secure provides peace of mind and reduces anxiety, promoting a sense of safety and well-being. Knowing that your home is protected from potential threats can help you feel more comfortable and enjoy the time spent at home with your loved ones.
Finally, investing in home security can bring you financial benefits. For example, many insurance companies offer discounts on homeowner’s insurance if you have a home security system installed.
Other security tips, such as installing strong doors and windows, can prevent property damage or loss due to theft. This can reduce your insurance claims and associated costs, such as potentially higher rates.
Home Security Tips You Should Try
Looking for home security tips you’ve never thought of? You’ve come to the right place. Implement them to ensure that your home is kept safe and secure.
Install Strong and Secure Doors & Windows
Break-ins almost always occur at ground-level windows or doors. These represent the easiest targets for burglars. Consequently, it’s vital to ensure that these points of access are the most secure part of your home. Too many people think that all they need for home security is security systems.
However, wouldn’t you rather stop the criminal before they get into your home? That’s where security doors can come in handy. Essentially, security doors are rugged doors designed to withstand break-in attempts. They usually have security features such as strong locking systems and reinforced frames.
For windows, you might be worrying about how expensive it’s going to be to re-install all the windows in your house. Don’t worry! Instead, you can use security screens to upgrade your existing windows.
Security screens are designed with reinforced materials that can stop burglars from breaching the safety of your home. By ensuring that all the points of access in your home are secure, you’ve taken one of the most important steps towards keeping your home safe.
Set Up Good Outdoor Lighting
Installing bright, motion-activated security lights and ensuring that all entry points and pathways around your home are well-lit. Burglars tend to avoid well-lit homes for psychological and practical reasons, including the greater risk of being identified or caught in the act.
Keep Your Shrubs Trimmed
Overgrown bushes and trees are an eyesore. However, they can also be a place for criminals to conceal themselves. Maintain good outdoor visibility around your home by keeping the bushes and trees trimmed down and cut back.
Install an Alarm and Surveillance System
Although they cannot physically prevent a break-in, alarm and surveillance systems can deter intruders because they increase the risk of an attempt on your property. A prominent sign notifying would-be criminals that the home is protected is an excellent way to ensure that your new system has this deterrent effect.
Even if a break-in does occur, an alarm system frequently causes criminals to leave without taking anything and can help you ensure your family is safe. Home security systems that maximise surveillance can help you identify criminals and ensure that they are brought to justice.
Install Home Security Devices
Smart home security technology, such as smart doorbells, locks, and lighting, can help keep your home safe in several ways. Smart doorbells with built-in security cameras and two-way communication allow you to see who is at your front door and speak to them from anywhere, even when you’re not at home.
Smart locks can be controlled remotely, allowing you to lock and unlock doors from your phone, and some models can even detect when someone is trying to break in. Smart lighting can be programmed to turn on and off at specific times, making it look like someone is in your home even when the house is empty.
These devices can all work together to create a comprehensive home security system that gives you peace of mind and protects your home against potential intruders.
Be Security Minded
Having an awareness of security can help you modify your behaviours and the behaviours of your family to increase the security of your home. For example, ensure that all doors with exterior access are locked and deadbolted every night and whenever possible. So many burglaries occur because a door or window is left open. Keep main floor windows closed whenever possible to reduce this risk.
Furthermore, this principle also applies to garage doors. A partially lowered garage door can allow a burglar to crawl in and break into your home through the garage, which may have a less secure door and lock. Always remember to close your garage doors when not using them.
Also, in this vein, consider your use of social media and avoid sharing travel plans or the absence of occupants of your home on social media platforms. Once it’s on the internet, it’s possible someone may see it and might use that information to your detriment.
Get Involved In Your Community
Consider joining or establishing a neighbourhood watch program. Joining a neighbourhood watch program is a great way to increase your home security and the security of your entire neighbourhood. Neighbourhood watch programs are community-based initiatives that aim to prevent crime and promote safety.
By joining such a program, you can work with your neighbours to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it to the authorities. This can deter potential burglars and help keep your neighbourhood safe. Neighbourhood watch programs also provide a sense of community and belonging.
Develop an Emergency Plan
Although you can take every precaution and step to deter a break-in, one still may occur. When that happens, you and your family need to know exactly what to do. Sit down and create a family emergency plan, including escape routes and a meeting point. Practice security drills so that everyone is familiar with what to do in case of emergency.
The Best Home Security Checks
All of these systems and tips are only as effective as they are functional. Regularly conduct your own security audits to verify the security of your home. Start by assessing vulnerable entry points to ensure that all locks are still functioning and that the hinges are secure.
Take a close look at your windows and ensure that they are all in good working order and that any locks are functioning properly.
Next, audit your surveillance systems and specifically look for any blind spots that might exist in your system. Blind spots can occur because another camera is needed, or they can occur because the home security camera has been covered by dirt, dust, or an overgrown shrub.
Check your sensors, cameras, and alarm systems for any errors, and ensure that all your motion sensors are still functioning. Many of these motion sensors are battery-operated, so ensure that you are regularly checking the batteries and replacing them as needed.
Finally, a part of this audit can be going through your family’s emergency plan that you created as part of the above tip.
Clearview Security, Perth’s Home Security Specialists
It’s easy to think that burglaries or break-ins only happen to others. But, remember, this can happen to anyone at any time. Implementing the right home security measures can give you peace of mind and protect your home from potential intruders.
By following the top home security tips we’ve provided, such as installing secure sliding doors and windows, setting up good outdoor lighting, and installing home security devices, you can safeguard your home against harm. Remember that a common-sense approach to home security is your first and best line of defence.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take action now to secure your home and protect your loved ones. Start by investing in security for your doors and windows by choosing Clearview Security. Clearview Security is the premier provider of security door and window screens to the Perth area. We have the experience you can trust and the products you need to keep your home safe – find out more by contacting us today!
