12 Simple Ways To Protect Your Home

1. Lock the doors

Do not allow a burglar to enter your front door. 34% of them do. ² Check all exterior doors for damage and make sure that the hinges and door frames are secure.

Change the locks on doors that were previously used by someone else if you are moving into a house. This will ensure that you don’t let strangers get a key to your home and also make sure your locks are top-quality.

These are the quick reinforcements that we recommend to you in order to protect your vital entryways.

• Install a deadbolt.
• Add a strike plate.
• Upgrade to smart locks
• A video doorbell can increase security.

Reinforce sliding glass doors

Sliding doors are a favourite target for intruders, so ensure your doors are secure. To prevent the door from being forced open, you can use a dowel or window bar in the track. You can also add a glass break sensor to your door or sensor to monitor for any tampering. These sensors will warn you if your glass door is being tampered with and should scare away thieves.

2. Lock the windows

Windows are “a common entry point for criminals”. They may have been left unlocked but shut by the homeowner. Manufacturer latches aren’t always reliable and sometimes even fragile.

You can improve the security of your windows by installing aftermarket locks or key-operated handles. You don’t have to stop there.

Here are some other great ideas to make your windows burglar-proof.

• Window security film can be used to reinforce glass
• Glass break or window sensors can be installed.
• Add window bar
• Place prickly shrubs under the first-floor windows. However, make sure they are kept trimmed.

3. Illuminate the landscape

Vandals, burglars and other criminals do not like being in the spotlight. Make sure they aren’t at your door with plenty of outdoor lighting. You can place lights in your front and backyard, along walkways, near your garage, and around other outdoor structures. You’ll make intruders less likely to try and get into your yard, as well as reduce the risk of you falling on your way up the front steps.

These tips will make your outdoor security lights more effective.

• Motion-activated lights are recommended.
• Solar-powered lights can help you save energy.
• To set outdoor lights on a timer, use a smart outlet.
• Smart light bulbs can be used to set up schedules.

4. Install a security system

You should have some sort of security system in your new home, regardless of whether it is a simple DIY system or one with professional monitoring and automation. There are many home security options available today to suit every budget and level of protection.

Evaluate your home and the neighborhood to find a system that suits your needs. He explains that once you have identified the risks, it is time to evaluate your home and determine what protections are necessary.

For information on neighborhood crime and assistance with a home security assessment, you can contact the local police department.

Keep these points in mind:

• DIY installation vs. professional installation
• Brand reputation and customer service
• Smart home capabilities
• Monthly and upfront costs
• Additional features like carbon monoxide and smoke monitoring

5. The garage is important!

Criminals are increasingly using this entry point to gain access to your home. Even if they cannot get into your home, there are likely to be valuable items in the garage. Lock all garage doors, interior and exterior.

It might be worth considering keeping your garage door opener inside the house. You can keep it in your garage so that a burglar cannot grab it from your car. If you have a code that allows you to unlock your garage, keep it secret from delivery men, neighbors, and anyone else.

These are just a few of the many ways you can secure your garage.

• Upgrade to a smart garage opener
• To conceal the contents, cover windows.
• Extra locks for garage doors are added to make them secure.
• Home automation is a great way to make sure that the garage door never opens again.
• Install a driveway alarm

6. Secure your Wi-Fi network

Your wireless home network can be a gateway to financial and personal information. Home automation can make your home vulnerable to burglary. Criminals could gain direct access to your home if your Wi-Fi network connects to security systems or smart home gadgets.

You don’t need to be vulnerable. These tips and tricks will help you keep hackers away from your home network.

• Secure your wireless router.
• WPA (WiFi Protected Access or WPA2 encryption) is enabled
• Hide and rename your home network.
• Make sure you have a firewall.
• Anti-malware and antivirus protection is recommended.
• Create strong passwords.

Software parental control software protects children

Chances are your children go online to do homework or have fun. A parental control app, router, and software package can help you keep your children safe from cyber predators and cyberbullying. These tools can be used to limit screen time and ensure that family meals are free from devices.

7. Eliminate hidden places

Although trees and shrubs can add curb appeal to your home, they are also a good hiding place for burglars. You can make your home more secure by removing any trees or plants that are close to your home. Instead, choose smaller flowers and shrubs. Trees near windows should be removed or strengthened with additional security.

Don’t forget about the exterior of your home, including the backyard. Use these best practices to protect it.

• Always remove ladders and stools.
• Lock gates, sheds, and other outdoor structures.
• Do not leave expensive goods in your yard to tempt thieves.
• Even if you don’t have a security system, add security stickers and signs.

8. Security cameras can be added

Most likely, you’ve seen headlines about burglars or porch pirates being stopped by security camera footage. This home security system can be used as both a deterrent and a way to seek justice. There are two options: You can purchase security cameras as part of a home security system or you can buy individual cameras.

We recommend that you use a security camera with an app on your mobile device. This will allow you to view the footage and save it for later reference. You can also take proactive steps to protect your cameras against hackers.

Take a look at our other must-have features.

• Motion detection
• Night vision
• Wi-Fi capability
• Talk in two ways
• Cloud or local storage
• Outdoor cameras require weatherproof protection

9. Secure your home with a security system

If someone tries to steal your home security systems, ensure that your valuables are secured. A safe in your home is a safe place to store everything, from valuable documents such as passports and jewellery. A safe should be fireproof, waterproof, and strong enough to prevent a thief from taking it with them.

These are some tips to ensure your safety is protected.

• You should look for safes that have redundant locks. This means there are two locks in one safe.
• Choose the safe that is right for your valuables.
• You can choose whether you need a portable safe, or an anchored one.

Gun safes are a great way to store firearms.

A burglar would be tempted to steal firearms. Each year, approximately 230,000 guns are taken in household burglaries.  Gun safes keep your guns out of the hand’s of criminals and protect your family from tragic accidents.

10. Use home automation

Security is a compelling reason to make your home a smarter one. You can control lights, doors locks, security cameras, smoke alarms, and other safety devices remotely (or schedule) with home automation. You can receive real-time alerts regarding suspicious activity to help you respond quickly and deter potential thieves.

These are our top picks for home automation that increases security.

• When you go on vacation, schedule lights and your TV to be turned on and off.
• Two-way communication through a smart doorbell can scare off porch pirates
• Receive an instant video feed when someone walks up to your driveway
• You can check on an alarm for CO or smoke and cancel false alarms right from your phone.

11. Prevent house fires

Make sure you do everything possible to stop your new home from going up in flames.

• To ensure that they are working, inspect current CO detectors and fire alarms.
• If necessary, install new detectors.
• Make sure to check the expiration date and charge on any current fire extinguishers.
• Buy new fire extinguishers if necessary.
• Before you use the fireplace, consult a chimney inspector.

Make a new fire escape plan for your home based on the layout of your home. Include fire escape ladders to second-story bedrooms.

12. Hire a Professional Roving Security Company

Roving or mobile security patrols around your neighbourhood are a great way to deter criminals. Professional security companies in your local area have experience and skills in determining the best solution to your home security issues.

The final word

It doesn’t need to be difficult to figure out how to protect your home. These tips will help you get started. Relax, you don’t need to do it all at once.

You should identify the most important strategies to you and plan to add them later. It is important to be aware of security threats and take action quickly to protect your family and home.