8 House Security Tips For Maximum Safety

“How can I protect my home from intruders?”

This is an important question that comes into the mind of every homeowner at some point. We all have stuff we want to protect and we all want to live in a house that’s safe and in a neighborhood that is secure.

Fortunately, we live in pretty safe times, but being conscientious is always a good idea, especially in an increasingly interconnected world where homes have more possible vulnerabilities than just a weak front door.

In our modern age, practicing good home safety also means covering your bases IT-wise so that there’s no opening for anyone to exploit. Secure your home with ten basic home security tips that cover all the bases. 

Alarm System

An Alarm System Keeps Things Safe At Night And When You Are Away

This might be an obvious one, but it’s a good place to start if you want to improve home security systems for maximum safety. There are a few different devices you can use to secure your home including motion sensors and magnets that detect when a door has been opened.

There are even pressure sensors available that can detect when someone tries to break a window or open it. It also doesn’t hurt that a burglar alarm can help lower insurance premiums since insurance companies love it when you reduce liabilities.  

Go Online 

Online Home Security Systems Can Be Quite Useful

Thanks to the wonders of wifi, you can now also set up a direct link between your home’s alarm system and the outside world, allowing you to instantly know if your burglar alarm is triggered.

Connect this up with home security camera installation and you can have a direct feed of your home even if you’re thousands of miles away. This is also a good feature to have in an emergency if you need to talk to someone in your home.

And for those worried about someone hacking your system, you’ll be happy to know that security companies are now developing more robust ways to secure these systems. The best home security systems make use of two-factor authentication (2FA) which allows you to access your home security system by using your phone as a key for an encrypted lock. 2FA makes it impossible for someone to get in just by “guessing” your password.

Even a sophisticated computer running all the possible combinations would take so long to crack encryption as to make it almost impossible. So if you want to add internet connectivity to your security system, be sure to go with a service that offers 2FA so you don’t have anyone tuning in to watch your house.    

Burglarproof Window 

Window Locks Are An Easy Way of Securing Your Home

Windows tend to be a favorite way for burglars to get into a home. Many windows, especially older ones, can have latches that are weak or fiddly and which therefore can be easily jimmied open. If you’ve just settled into a new home with window locks, the previous tenant probably kept the locks open on your windows for convenience.

Either way, it’s worth it to take the time and check that your windows are equipped with locks and that those locks are engaged so that your burglar-proof windows are secured. Aftermarket locks can be found for reasonable prices and will offer decent protection for most residents.

However, if you think basic security isn’t going to cut it, you’ll need to go the extra mile with a few additions. Namely, glass break sensors, reinforced storm window layers, and window bars if you want to go that far. Just know that all of these measures can make your house feel more claustrophobic and confining, so only do this if you feel it is absolutely necessary.

One way to add security while keeping it all aesthetically pleasing is to plant a few prickly bushes under your burglar-proof windows. These will make it harder for someone to clamber into your house without fighting with a thorny enemy first.   

Light Things Up

Motion-Activated LEDs Keep Burglars At Bay

Especially sly criminals prefer dark places because it means they have more places to hide. The areas around our homes tend to be filled with these dark spots in the form of backyards, pathways, garages, patio structures, outdoor stairways, and other areas.

Motion-activated LED lights will make it harder for someone to hang around without being noticed and will also make it easier for you to get around at night without tripping on something. These lights can moreover be set up to run off of solar panels for that added eco-friendly bonus.

Secure The Main Entrance 

Upgraded Front Doors Will Keep Your Main Entrance Secure

Often, the best place to add security is to a front entrance, so focus your home security system improvements there. There are a bunch of different measures you can take for your front entrance that will improve overall home security. For a start, take a look at the lock on your front door and see that it is working well and is up to the task of keeping your home locked down.

If not, consider replacing the door lock. Certain door locks have built-in features that make them resist being picked open, and more sophisticated locks can even seize up if they detect someone is trying to use a lockpick. Adding a deadbolt to a door will also greatly improve security and add an extra failsafe if your main lock doesn’t hold up.

For those that love high-tech solutions, a video doorbell and a smart door lock can also add security provided you get models that use 2FA with encryption. We don’t recommend using either one of these devices without encryption since they are easy for a crafty criminal to hack otherwise.   

Secure Your Shed

Avoid Leaving your Shed Unlocked

This one seems almost unnecessary, but most of us do keep a lot of valuable tools and equipment in sheds or outbuildings that it would really suck to lose. A crafty burglar might even try to use your own tools to get into your house (by using your ladder for instance to climb inside).

Thankfully, this one is pretty simple to fix so that it’s safer. Outbuildings and sheds usually only have one door and no other opening. That makes your job much easier, and a good padlock should do the trick. The point here is to prevent crimes of opportunity and encourage any unwanted visitors to move on, and a sturdy padlock does the trick. 

No One’s Home? 

Keeping The Lights On Makes It Seem Like Someone’s In

When it comes to good home security, proactive is the keyword. At the end of the day, the best way to keep your home safe isn’t by turning it into a fortress, but by making it look like it isn’t worth a thief’s time. The easiest way to do that is to make it harder for a burglar to find a good time to pay you a visit.

When you leave the house, keep a few lights on in the rooms near your windows so it looks like someone is home. A random passerby won’t be able to tell the difference, and that keeps your home safe. Also, some of us like to keep garage doors unlocked or have valuables laying around; you should reconsider those habits if you want to improve home security.

These small changes make a difference at the end of the day.

Only You Can Prevent House Fires 

Test Smoke Detectors Regularly

To minimize the chance of a house fire, be sure to install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and test them regularly. It’s a good idea to get a fire extinguisher for your kitchen, but it’s important to check it regularly to ensure it isn’t expired.

If you have a classy gas or wood-fueled chimney, have it checked by an inspector before you power it up for the winter. This will avoid any unpleasant smoke or fire hazards going undetected.