If there’s one place in the world where you should always be able to feel safe, it’s your own home, but just because you want to feel safe there, it doesn’t mean you do. After all, crime can happen anywhere, so why not in your neighborhood? Why not to you?
That’s why it’s more important than ever to ensure your home is properly protected, and with just a few well-though-out upgrades, that’s exactly what can happen. Plus, not only will you feel safer when you upgrade your home’s security, but the value could well go up too. So let’s take a look at what security upgrades you can have for your home so you can get started. Read on to find out more.
Reinforce Your Doors
Your front door is the main way for anyone to get into your home whether they’re wanted or not, and that means it’s a critical area to take care of when it comes to security. Start by really look at your current door and think about what kind of state it’s in – is it really safe and secure, or could it be broken into if someone really wanted to? Also, what material is it made of? Wood is less secure than metal, for example.
Then you need to take a look at the door frame because a good, strong door just isn’t enough on its own and the frame itself can be a weak point. Installing a heavy duty strike place with long screws that reach the wall studs can make it a lot harder for someone to force the door open, which is precisely the result you want.
And don’t forget about the lock either! A good deadbolt is a must so look for a high-quality deadbolt that can’t be picked, and if you’re really worried, adding a door reinforcement kit is never a bad idea; it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Upgrade Your Garage Door
People often forget about their garage doors when they’re thinking about home security, but it’s actually one of the most vulnerable spots, and it’s even worse if your garage is attached to your home because if someone got into it, they could then get inside your house – it’s a scary thought, but it’s important to be realistic about your security too.
So, start by checking the condition of your garage door, and if it’s old, doesn’t shut properly, or doesn’t lock, then it’s definitely time to get a new one. The good news is that modern garage doors come with some great security features, and they’re made of super strong materials, so when they’re installed by professionals you’ve got very little to worry about and your home is sure to be safe.
Plus, why not add a smart garage door opener? With a smart opener, you can control your garage door from your phone, which means that if you forget to close it when you leave the house, you can shut it remotely as soon as you remember (and it’s such an easy thing to forget when you’re in a hurry – how many times have you come home to an open garage?), and you’ll also get alerts if there’s a problem, helping you to always know what’s going on at home.
Install A Home Security System
A home security system is one of the best ways to protect your home, and these days there are so many options to choose from, going all the way from a professionally monitored system to something you can set up and monitor yourself.
A professionally monitored system might cost you a bit more each month, but it also comes with the peace of mind that someone is always keeping an eye on your home, and that’s worth its weight in gold a lot of the time. If there’s an issue, you can rest assured that you’ll be told about it right away, and that the authorities will be called on your behalf, so it’s all dealt with, no matter how far away from home you might be at the time. On the other hand, a DIY system might be more affordable and flexible, but it does mean you need to be more hands-on and involved in the monitoring, so it’s wise to weigh up all the pros and cons to see which option works out best for you.
No matter what route you go down, you’ll need to ideally look for a system that includes door and window sensors, motion detectors, and cameras if possible. Some systems can even work with your existing smart home devices, so you can control everything from one app, making the whole thing a lot easier and more convenient.
Secure Your Windows
We mentioned that you should get window sensors when you’re choosing a home alarm system, and that’s because windows are another common way for burglars to get inside your home – that’s why it’s worthwhile working on them to make them as secure as possible. There are a few different things you’ll need to do, but you can start by upgrading the locks – if you’ve just got some basic latches, they’re not going to be all that secure, so instead you need to have proper locks that make it a lot harder for anyone to get inside, but that allow you to open the windows easily from inside (which is ideal for safety reasons, not to mention good air quality).
You could also include some window security film at this point, which is a clear film that sticks to your windows and helps hold the glass together if it’s broken. It’s not going to stop the windows breaking, but it will slow any intruder down enough to give you a bit more time to respond to the situation, and it might even make them nervous enough to stop trying and run off.
If you’ve got particularly vulnerable windows, like those on the first floor or basement level, or that back onto a busy street, for example, then it could be a good idea to add some bars or a grille. True, it’s not the most attractive option, but if it makes your home safer, isn’t it worth it?