EASY MEASURES FOR OPTIMIZING YOUR HOME'S SECURITY
The less attention you pay to your home's security, the more attractive your property will be to a burglar. There are numerous logical ways to safeguard your home from break-ins and theft. A professional thief will always find a way to get in, so obviously, you won't be able to foresee every single possible vulnerability. Nevertheless, you can take a good number of reasonable measures that will effectively prevent most scenarios in which stealing could take place.
Don't Be Alarmed!
Before you decide to install an expensive comprehensive alarm system, it's a good idea to simply take a good look around your home for more affordable options . There are a good number of easy, low-tech things you can do that will significantly keep away a potential thief from targeting your home. Some cost nothing at all, and many cost very little.
As a family, decide upon some simple daily rules, such as:
- Lock doors and windows whenever you go out, and before going to bed. • Don't answer the door unless you know the person. (If you don't have a peephole, install one.) • Keep the garage door closed and locked.
Keep your valuables well hidden.
- You may want to purchase a home safe, especially one anchored to the floor. • Rent a safe-deposit box at your bank • Stash your jewelry, cash, and other treasures in unconventional locations.
Store your keys and garage-door remotes in a sensible location.
It's not a good idea to keep your keys and remotes near the door, or otherwise visible to someone outside your home. Keep them hidden inside a cupboard or a drawer.
Don't keep a "hidden" house key.
Most burglars will quickly find your key under the mat or the one inside the mailbox. Even if you have a keyholder disguised as a fake rock, many burglars will already know how to recognize it. Give an extra key to a trusted neighbor instead.
Don't leave ladders outside.
A burglar might pretend to be a contractor or handyman, and could use your ladder to gain easy entry through a window on your second floor or to get up to your balcony.
Secure your air conditioning unit.
Make sure a criminal can't get through an unsecured window by using an air-conditioner bracket, corner braces, or a sliding window lock.
Eliminate potential intruder hiding spots.
Keep your shrubs, hedges, plants, and trees trimmed. If they're too tall, unwieldy, or aren't well spaced, a potential burglar can easily hide from view.
Put up warning signs.
You can put up a sign or window sticker from a security company near each door, even if you don't have a security system. You might even post something more creative such as a "Beware of Dog" sign or one that says "Owner Has Gun, Will Shoot."
Affordably Boost Your Home's Security
There are additional effective ways to enhance your home's security that may take a bit more effort, yet they're still relatively affordable. To find out more about all of these options and more, if you're anywhere in Johns Creek, Georgia, you may want to request a free consultation from a staff security professional at Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmith. Here are some measures you ought to consider that don't take too much effort:
Apply good lighting.
Install outdoor lighting with infrared motion detectors near each door. Some are even made to respond to changes in temperature, light, or sound.
Motion detector lights help discourage trespassers at your property. They can even be connected to your smart device so you can quickly detect any undesirable activity and respond right away.
You should also make it a point to keep some indoor lights on whenever you are away.
Install timers.
Put your porch lights on timers. Furthermore, when you're out for the day, or away for quite awhile, you can make it look like someone's at home by using timers on your lights, radios, and televisions.
You won't have to worry at all about being gone for an extended vacation if you have a smart light timer installed in your house. You can monitor and control everything with a mobile app. You'll keep your home seemingly occupied the whole time you're gone.
Reinforce your doors.
Take a good look at all your outside points of entry. A door that's hollow is of lower quality and therefore easier to penetrate. Replace this type of door with a solid-core door made of wood or metal.
If your front or back door has a weak lock or weak resistance, it's going to be vulnerable to a break-in. You can strengthen your doors' locks by replacing the strike plate (the stationary piece that the bolt enters), and mounting an extra solid metal plate on the doorjamb for the sliding bolt. If there are short mounting screws, you can replace them with longer screws that will reach the door's studs, adding extra strength to the doorframe.
Sliding-glass doors, even if locked with a latch, are often a cinch for a burglar to open. Make them more secure by placing a wooden dowel cut to size, or an adjustable safety bar, in the floor track. You could also add a floor bolt.
Replace weak locks.
Deadbolts provide extra security. Be sure to get a grade 2 deadbolt lock, which penetrates the doorframe. Don't skimp. Heavy-duty is tougher and better.
Smart or digital locks are electronic devices that provide an additional layer of security at your front door. With some, you can synchronize your smart lock with your smartphone, so you won't have to carry a house key at all.
Install surveillance cameras.
Surveillance cameras make you aware of what's going on around your home. If you see any sign of foul play, you can respond appropriately and call the authorities immediately. From simple to complex, a surveillance camera can record various useful points of information, including video footage.
The future is now: Home automation is here.
If you can spend a little more, it's now possible to monitor all home activities with a smart app. You can actually manage your whole house with such a smart system. From simulating routine habits, to checking on your property anytime while you're gone, your home almost takes care of itself. When there's any unwanted activity detected, you'll be notified immediately by an alert on your smartphone so you can respond instantly. With this type of smart home security system, you will certainly have more confidence and safety.