We all want to feel secure inside our homes. No matter where you live, there is always some possibility that something bad will happen. It could be something relatively harmless, like someone stealing a package off your front steps, or it could involve a full-scale robbery. To keep incidents like this from happening, and to protect yourself in case they do, there are a few security measures that you can take. Here are 5 ideas you should try:
Add Some Technology to Your Doorbell
One thing you can do is upgrade your home’s doorbell. There are now doorbells you can install that will monitor the front of your home and alert you when they detect any motion. They also have video cameras on them, so you can either see who is at your front door or watch a recording of it later. This is great if you’re worried about things getting stolen off your steps or someone breaking in. It can also help to protect you if you’re worried about someone breaking into your mailbox and committing identity theft.
If you’re the DIY type of person, you can also try adding some tech to your doorbell on your own. This guide walks you through the process of getting your doorbell to alert you whenever someone rings it, but there are other features you can adapt to it. All you need is a few small parts like optocouplers, some resistors, and a wireless switch. This method is a little more complicated than just buying a video doorbell, but it might be cheaper, and you can get it to do exactly what you want.
Upgrade Your Locks
The locks on your home clearly play a big role in determining how secure it is. If your locks don’t work correctly, or they are not installed properly, then anyone might be able to force their way into your home. You should spend some time going through each lock around your home and make sure that it’s properly in place and secure.
Another option you have is installing smart locks. These locks operate just like normal locks, but you can also operate them with your smartphone. That way if you forget to lock your door after leaving for work, or you need to let someone in while you’re away, you can do it from wherever you are. No more stressing all day wondering if your door is closed or having to leave a spare key under the mat.
Extra Lights Outdoors
Lighting can be a major deterrent to bad actors. If you have a brightly-lit yard, driveway or sidewalk, people with bad intentions are less likely to come near your home. Consider installing some motion lights around your property that kick on whenever there is movement. You can even get solar-powered lights so that you don’t need to worry about using extra electricity. Just install these lights over your front door or around the yard, and you’re good to go.
Add Some Signs
Sometimes a simple sign outside your home can be enough to deter unwanted guests. For example, a sticker on your front door that read “Beware of Dog” would likely make anyone attempting to break in wary of running into a mean dog. You can put up this sticker even if you don’t own a dog! Another option is to put signs around the yard indicating that you have a security system. A sign that says your home is being monitored, or the brand name of the security system you’re using, would make people think twice. You can easily buy one of these signs or make one yourself, and hang it up around your property to prevent intruders.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Finally, if you haven’t yet, get to know your neighbors. Doing so will help to protect your home in several ways. First, they can provide an extra set of eyes on your home. Maybe you don’t notice when someone steals a package from the front of your house, but a neighbor looking out their window happens to spot them. Or, if you plan on being away from home for a few days, you could ask the neighbor to keep an eye on things for you. Finally, if the neighbor hears any reports about break-ins in the area, they are more likely to let you know this if they are familiar with you. So, if you don’t know your neighbors yet, make it point to stop by and introduce yourself.
Home Security Made Easy
It doesn’t take a lot to make your home more secure. It’s typically about doing just enough to deter anyone from targeting your house and moving along instead. You can do this with simple things like upgrading your doorbell, adding more lights, or even just hanging up a few signs.
