The following contribution is from another author.
Being a homeowner is an all-around job. Because aside from balancing finances and maintaining the general upkeep around the house, ensuring its security is another priority you must have at the forefront of your mind. After all, it’s impossible to feel completely at ease inside one’s home when anyone can break in and endanger their life anytime.
Although various systems and applications are designed to improve your home’s security, some might consider them lacking when they only have a security camera system. In that case, they’d probably find more assurance in keeping a licensed firearm inside the house loaded with hollow point rounds, considering they’re the best ammo for avoiding a situation where bullets end up in their neighbor’s living room.
But those who want to rely on their home security can pile on layers of protection inside and outside the house. Here are ways to achieve it:
Environment
The saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ doesn’t apply to unsavory individuals. Instead of assuming that every house contains valuables, burglars often rely on what they see upfront. That’s why it’s safe to say that your home’s environment serves as your first line of defense.
Ask Around
Those planning to live in urban or suburban areas must consider the neighborhood as part of their ‘security system.’ After all, there’s no better surveillance than a living witness. Before moving into the neighborhood, know what it’s like to live there. Ask if there have been any break-ins or similar incidents that happen frequently.
Since they’ve lived there longer than you have, their personal accounts can help you determine how safe your environment is. Hence, you’ll be able to determine how much security your house needs. After all, decking out your home with back-to-back home security systems in a safe neighborhood may seem like going overboard.
Be Involved
Those who want change are better off taking it into their own hands to bring about the change they seek. Since small governments manage communities, consider participating in their politics to stay on top of the laws and regulations they’ve implemented. However, go-getters who want to do more might prefer getting their hands on making these regulations.
Although, just because security is a priority doesn’t mean the regulations around the neighborhood are only limited to that. Create activities and programs that encourage the residents to connect. After all, the more involved everyone is, the better the chances of collective security, considering everyone is familiar with one another.
Stay In Touch
While there’s nothing wrong with getting involved with everyone in the neighborhood, some might consider it too draining. If that’s the case, stay in touch with those closest to your home. Inform them of your whereabouts every time you leave. Let them know whether or not you’re expecting someone while you’re away. If it’s their turn to leave, do the same for them. This simple gesture may seem small, but it’s enough to build minimal security outside your property.
Outdoors
Now that you have a good look at your environment, work on what’s within your property next. After all, some households might not have neighbors to watch the house. Because of that, securing your outdoor property must be the next step to take.
Light It Up
Unsavory figures work better when they’re out of sight. That’s why you must use visibility to your advantage. Install outdoor lighting to illuminate your outdoor space. Granted, leaving your lights on at all times would deter burglars from going anywhere near your home. However, its effectiveness is undermined by how inefficient it must be for your energy to be used to keep the lights on all night. Thankfully, you can now find affordable solar-powered outdoor lights. So, you can use them to save on energy costs.
Look for motion-sensitive lighting systems. Even though they’re not shedding light on your yard at all times, they still monitor anything in your yard. What’s more, you have the element of surprise on your side. While they’re about to step foot on your property, the system will sense them and immediately light up, which could scare them off.
Install A Fence
While visibility is an advantageous feature on your property, another way to deter break-ins is to have a fence. However, avoid using chain-link fences since all they do is slow down the intruder when they can still climb over them. Tall, solid fences are ideal because of how much privacy they offer while making it much harder to access.
Take Advantage Of The Landscape
Those who assume that the yard only serves to elevate their outdoor home design have no idea what they’re missing. After all, there’s a way you can combine aesthetics with security; your yard is proof of that. However, it all boils down to how you manage it.
Keep your yard as neat as possible to reduce any potential hiding spots. But for those who prefer a wild-looking garden, look up legal poisonous plants such as poison ivy and plant them whichever way you envision. Have a pool or pond installed inside your fence to surprise them as soon as they drop down or to slow them down even further. With so many things you can do to your yard, the sky’s the limit as long as you work with style and security.
Set Up Alarms
Intruders rely on staying hidden when they’re up for something. Because as long as they’re out of sight, they’re confident they can do their task successfully. Aside from lighting systems, setting up an alarm will give them the shock of their lives since their presence is practically announced for the entire household to take action and rouse the neighborhood.
Check For Entry Points
Even though you already have all sorts of systems and security measures in your yard, it doesn’t hurt to be vigilant. Regularly check your doors and windows to ensure they’re locked and still in good condition. Those with garages must never forget to keep both indoor and outdoor locks secured since burglars are starting to consider them as their ticket inside the house.
Indoors
To guarantee complete protection in every inch of your property, ensure that the indoors receive as much security as the one you have outside. Otherwise, all that effort of keeping intruders out might be ruined when they somehow get past your outdoor security and sneak inside without any problem.
Install Sensors
Since you already have security systems installed outside, it’s only fair to have one indoors. Ideally, motion detectors or glass break sensors are the perfect traps for break-ins. Connect them to other indoor systems, such as smoke detectors, in case a fire goes off, even if you’re away.
Invest In Locking Systems
Quality locks have always been the original security system for all properties. But with technology advancing, what used to be a simple lock-and-key got upgraded into control panels and smart locks designed for top-notch security. Typically, they use biometrics or a PIN locking system, so ensure you choose wisely.
Reduce Visibility
Visibility is highly recommended outdoors, but the same principle doesn’t apply indoors. To avoid any break-ins, the best you can do is keep people from seeing your possessions. Use curtains to block your windows. Use solid doors instead of sliding or glass ones. Those who possess firearms can display them out in the open as an open warning for unsavory figures.
Takeaway
As a homeowner, security must stay up there in your long list of priorities. After all, your home is supposed to be a safe space. For it to be compromised by poor security could render you incapable of relaxing inside your property. However, having multiple layers of protection surrounding your home may be sufficient to improve your comfort and safety.
